Board of Directors Meeting – Northern Lights 1 at the Inn on Lake Superior

Opening Reception – Inn on Lake Superior

Past President’s Reception Pre-Sail (invite only)

Past President’s Reception Private Sail

Boarding Begins for the New Lawyers Boat Cruise - Sponsored by Crane Engineering

Registration and continental breakfast

Welcome and announcements
Troy Poetz

This is new! What do I do?
Rich Thomas, Burke and Thomas, PLLP

Mr. Thomas will discuss the challenges of handling a file outside of your typical practice area. His presentation will focus on implementing a litigation strategy to deal with legal issues that may be novel to you and how to effectively handle the case from beginning to end.

The Appellate Lawyer on the Trial Team: What is the Job and Does It Provide Value?
Mary Massaron, Plunkett Cooney, P.C.

Ms. Massaron will discuss the importance of trying a case with an eye toward a potential appeal. She will present effective methods to create a trial court record that will help the appellate lawyers achieve success.

The Asbestos Ship Has Not Sailed
Mike Skram, O’Meara, Leer, Wagner & Kohl

Many have been saying the days of asbestos litigation have come and gone. However, Mr. Skram will speak about recent trends in Minnesota and across the nation to keep these claims afloat, including asserting claims against new defendants like premises owners and retailers. He will provide a basic overview of the law and procedures for defending an asbestos case in Minnesota.

Break with Exhibitors

Cocktail Conversations: Employment Law
Dyan Ebert, Quinlivan & Hughes and Paul Rajkowski, Rajkowski Hansmeier

Dyan Ebert and Paul Rajkowski will present you with some common – and some more obscure – employment law issues that often arise in casual conversations.  In this interactive session you will learn how to spot the issues and obtain a basic understanding of the Minnesota Human Rights Act, the Family and Medical Leave Act, and the Americans with Disabilities Act, as well as other legal issues impacting decisions relating to employee discipline and discharge and the workplace.

Defending Professionals in front of Licensure Boards
Kay Tuveson, HealthPartners, Inc.

Ms. Tuveson will provide valuable information about how to successfully represent health care professionals under investigation by state licensing boards. This session is tailored for lawyers who do not routinely practice in this area of law. Her presentation will include an overview of the licensure action process, common complaints, defense strategies and pitfalls to avoid. 

Lunch and MDLA’s Annual Meeting and Presentation of Awards

Defending Assisted Living Facility and Nursing Home Cases
John Cuttino, Gallivan, White & Boyd

Litigation against assisted living facilities and nursing homes is becoming more prevalent as our society’s population ages. Mr. Cuttino will discuss the differences in assisted living facilities and nursing homes, legal standards applicable to each, evaluating liability claims, and practical tips for defending common types of claims.

Statistics In The Courtroom
Dr. Nathan Soderborg, Exponent

Statistical assessments can be utilized in a variety of areas, including employment-related litigation, products liability cases, construction defect claims and even personal injury actions. This presentation will introduce practitioners to the use of statistical evidence in the courtroom so they may better deploy effective legal strategies and tactics in advocating or challenging its use.

Break with Exhibitors

Building the Defense of a Product: Taking a Technical Approach
Mark Solheim, Larson King, LLP and Tony Novak, Larson King, LLP

This presentation will focus on methods and strategies for building a technical defense to a products claim.  From dealing with complicated product design and warning issues, to identifying and utilizing experts, and handling discovery in a world of evolving and changing liability theories, Mark and Tony will share their thoughts on how to build a litigation defense in a highly technical product setting.

Bus picks up from Inn on Lake Superior for Spirit Mountain.

Spirit Mountain Adventure Center and Dinner Transportation will be provided

Registration and continental breakfast

Dramshop 101: Handling a Liquor Liability claim from beginning to last call
Matt Sloneker, Lind, Jensen, Sullivan & Peterson, P.A. and Steve Bader, Rajkowski Hansmeier

Matt Sloneker and Steve Bader will discuss substance and strategy for the defense of liquor liability, or “dram shop”, claims. Dram shop suits are some of the most unique, challenging, and entertaining lawsuits to defend. However, the Civil Damage Act is nuanced and specific, and defense attorneys with a working knowledge of this area of the law will be better equipped to serve clients when assigned the defense of a dram shop suit. Matt and Steve will discuss the intricacies of the statutory scheme, recent case law, and provide tips and suggestions for how to defend liquor vendors.

Evaluation and Testing in Vocational Rehabilitation
Dr. Justin King, Metro Rehabilitation

Dr. King will discuss the components of a vocational rehabilitation evaluation, recent developments in the field, and how to effectively utilize data to defend a claim for loss of future earning capacity.

Break with Exhibitors

Evidence and Expert Witness Refresher
Ken Bayliss, Quinlivan & Hughes

Mr. Bayliss will examine those pesky evidentiary issues that pop up during trials. He will offer suggestions as how to deal with recurring evidentiary problems, discuss common misconceptions about the Rules of Evidence, and address the very recent changes to the Rules. He will also offer thoughts on the effective use of experts at trial.