Expert witness testimony is often required in litigation matters to explain the circumstances that caused an event to occur. Often this involves testimony around technical issues that is beyond the common knowledge base of a jury. Being able to effectively collaborate with experts to explain and educate the jury on technical issues is a valuable asset that will help lead a jury to a decision. This presentation will provide valuable insight on how to effectively work with expert witnesses to present the technical issues of your case.

Speakers:
James Panko, P.E. is an accomplished Civil/Structural Engineer with more than 18 years of design and forensic engineering experience in the industry. Mr. Panko provides expert consultation in areas relating to building and site design, structural and building envelope failure analysis for various building types, and premise liability. He has performed building evaluations on structures affected by moisture intrusion, high wind events, snow loading, fire, blast loading, vehicle impact and vibration induced loads to determine the extent of damage and provide root cause determination of failure. Mr. Panko has experience in the design and construction practices relating to the exterior environment around buildings.

Daniel C. Leitermann is an Associate Attorney at Waldeck & Woodrow, P.A. After receiving his J.D. from the University of Minnesota Law School in 2017, he served as a Law Clerk for the Honorable Ronald L. Abrams in Minnesota’s Fourth Judicial District. Daniel joined Waldeck & Woodrow in 2021, and practices exclusively in insurance defense matters, including construction law, product liability, insurance coverage, no-fault UM/UIM, auto liability, professional liability, and liquor liability. This includes all phases of litigation from pre-suit through trial and appeals.

Please join Steve Kirsch as he discusses mediation tips, strategies, and pitfalls that he has observed during three decades of serving as a mediator, including service as a special master for Minnesota’s I-35W Bridge Litigation. Steve’s presentation will educate attendees on best practices for interacting with the mediator to learn information and position your client for a favorable settlement. He will also discuss the different types of settlements that may be discussed during mediation, such as Pierringer and Henning settlements. Steve will provide attendees with a wealth of valuable information from his long career as a litigator and mediator.

Speaker:
Steve Kirsch, a partner with Larson • King, practices in the areas of products liability and toxic torts. Steve is a member of the National Academy of Distinguished Neutrals, and has a substantial alternative dispute resolution practice: over the past 25 years, he has handled close to 1,500 mediations and arbitrations. Steve is one of only six mediators involved with resolving vaccine court cases from the Federal Claims Court of Washington, D.C., under the P-100 program. Steve joined Larson • King from a large Minneapolis-based firm and prior to that, Steve practiced at the St. Paul firm of Murnane Brandt for almost 40 years. During the course of his distinguished career, Steve has served as local and national counsel defending clients against product liability claims related to pharmaceuticals, diet supplements, asbestos, and flammable fabrics. In the area of flammable fabrics litigation, Steve is recognized as one of the nation’s most experienced lawyers, as he has handled hundreds of these cases, and represented clients from several industries, including manufacturers and excess carriers.

This session will highlight the arbitration process with suggestions for attorneys appearing before arbitration panels. It will also provide information on how attorneys can become part of an arbitration panel.

Speaker:
Rylee Retzer-Busselman is an in-house attorney with Pranschke, Seeger & Fox at Progressive Insurance. She defends first- and third-party automobile liability claims and no-fault matters. Prior to her time at Progressive, Rylee was in-house counsel with American Family Insurance, and the League of Minnesota Cities Insurance Trust. She defended automobile and premises liability actions for collectively over 14 years. Her experience enabled her to resolve cases through trial, binding arbitrations, as well as motion practice leading to the MN Court of Appeals and MN Supreme Court. She has over nine years’ experience participating in MN No-Fault arbitrations as serves as a MN No-Fault arbitrator through the American Arbitration Association. She has been an MDLA Motor Vehicle Accident Committee Co-Chair for the past two years.

This moderated session will explore feedback from a United States District Court Magistrate Judge and private mediator to make your next mediation or settlement conference successful. What should attorneys do to prepare a mediation statement for an effective and productive mediation? What does not work well? What should attorneys be doing to prepare their clients?

Speakers:
Magistrate Judge Elizabeth Cowan Wright is a United States Magistrate Judge for the District of Minnesota. She graduated from Iowa State University with distinction in a degree in aerospace engineering, and went on to obtain a masters in mechanical engineering from the University of Illinois. While working as an engineer for 3M, Magistrate Cowan Wright attended law school at William Mitchell and graduated at the top of her class in 2006. She then joined Faegre & Benson and developed a patent and intellectual property litigation practice and litigated cases across the country. In 2012 she became a partner. In 2018, she was selected to serve on the federal bench as a magistrate judge. Now as a magistrate judge, she has presided over hundreds of settlement conferences on the federal docket.

Antone Melton-Meaux is a qualified neutral, and the Founder of Work Resolve Mediation. As an undergraduate at Washington University at St. Louis, Antone was an NCAA All-America track athlete, earned his B.A., and went on to obtain a master’s degree in Theology. He then graduated with a law degree from the University of Virginia School of Law. Antone began his legal career at Skadden Arps Slate Meagher & Flom in Washington D.C as an employment attorney and later became a Partner and Practice Group Leader at Jackson Lewis. He has also been the Chief Employment Counsel for St. Jude Medical and a Human Resources Leader for St. Jude Medical and Abbott Laboratories. He brings this unique skill set to facilitating the full spectrum of workplace disputes. Antone is also a mediator for commercial, civil, public accommodations, and housing disputes. He is a Distinguished Fellow of the International Academy of Mediators, a member of the National Academy of Distinguished Neutrals, an Adjunct Professor with the University of Minnesota Law School, serves on the mediation panel for the American Arbitration Association, and is rated AV Preeminent® by Martindale-Hubbell for the highest level of professional excellence.

This session will focus on attorney well-being and mental health. Statistics regarding wellbeing for attorneys will be addressed, with information regarding the impact to practice, and methods for a more balanced practice. With all we have been through these last two years both in our professional and personal lives, many lawyers are feeling exhausted, discouraged, stressed, and “burned out.” This timely program explores what burnout is, how our work as legal professionals contributes to burnout, and

Speakers:
Judith Rush served as the Director of Mentor Externship at University of St. Thomas School of Law, prior to joining LCL, where she continues to build relationships with mentors and mentor students. She has enjoyed a successful solo practice and teaching as an adjunct at Hamline University School of Law and William Mitchell College of Law, teaching professional responsibility and legal advocacy. Judith served as a volunteer in Minnesota’s discipline process for 18 years, including six years as Chair of the Lawyers Professional Responsibility Board. She has also served as Co-Chair of the ABA Co-LAP’s Law Student Services Committee, Chair of Lawyers Concerned for Lawyers and the MSBA Life & the Law Committee and served on the Minnesota Supreme Court Advisory Committee to Review the Discipline System. Judie earned her undergraduate degree, magna cum laude from Hamline University and her J.D. magna cum laude from William Mitchell College of Law. Judie’s volunteer highlights, in addition to her volunteer work with LCL, has included presenting numerous CLE programs and authoring articles, comments, desk book publications, and a law review article, “Disbarment of Impaired Lawyers, Making the Sanction Fit the Crime.” She was honored to receive LCL’s Fred Allen Outstanding Service Award, Lawyers Professional Responsibility Board’s Volunteer of the Year award, Faculty Staff Award from the Black Law Student Association and Mission award at the University of St Thomas School of Law, and Lawyer of the Year award. Judie is thrilled to bring her passion, skills, and experience to serve lawyers, judges, law students and their families by developing and presenting programs, raising awareness and providing resources, connections, help and hope. When she is not working, Judie can be found spending time with friends and family, putzing around in her yard, and paddling around in her kayak.

This session will enlighten attorneys on methods of tribal conflict resolution, with an intent to educate in an effort to eliminate bias and prejudice in the practice of law and administration of justice. The session will also address historical and present-day tribal conflict resolution in an effort to broaden perspectives on strategies for various communities. These goals for the elimination of bias credit will be met by educating attorneys about issues that have impacted native communities, which will increase awareness and reduce bias. Additionally, the perspectives would be specifically related to conflict resolution in the legal system and the lessons that can be transferred outside of tribal law.

Speaker:
R. Reid LeBeau II is an attorney and lobbyist having represented tribes in Minnesota and South Dakota. Reid is an enrolled member of the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe and grew up in Pierre, South Dakota. Reid graduated from the University of Minnesota-Morris in 2002 and is a 2005 cum laude graduate of the University of Minnesota Law School. He is the 2001 Truman Scholar from the State of South Dakota. As a litigator Reid practices in the areas of Indian Law and Campaign Finance and Election Law. He is experienced in advising tribes on a variety of state and federal regulatory issues. Additionally, Reid has extensive experience in the areas of campaign finance and election law. Reid has represented members of Congress, congressional campaigns, and various political action committees. He has also successfully defended members of the Minnesota Legislature in election law disputes and has appeared before the Minnesota Supreme Court. Reid has also authored articles and given numerous presentations on Minnesota and federal election law, and notably, the applicability of state and federal election law to Indian tribes. Reid has nearly two decades of lobbying experience at the state and federal levels. Reid has lobbied on behalf of tribes throughout the country. Reid lobbies on a variety of client issues ranging from energy policy to telecommunication to tribal land use. Reid’s lobbying talents are enhanced by his previous experiences working at numerous levels of government. Reid is an adjunct professor at the University of Minnesota Law School. He teaches Federal Indian Law, Campaign Finance & Election Law, as well as Legislation.

This session will discuss several considerations regarding effective settlement strategies. From what to expect in terms of a range of amount for different types of cases, to non-monetary terms to consider, to factors that influence settlement discussions, this session will prepare you for being prepared to talk settlement.

Speakers:
Cally Kjellberg-Nelson is a shareholder at Quinlivan & Hughes, P.A. and practices in the area of civil litigation, with a focus on employment and governmental liability. Kjellberg-Nelson was named to the Minnesota Super Lawyers list in 2020-2022 and was previously named a Rising Star in 2017 - 2019.

Tessa McEllistrem is a partner at Jardine, Logan & O’Brien, P.L.L.P. She practices in civil litigation defense, employment, government liability and motor vehicle liability. Tessa was selected as a Super Lawyer in 2022 and a Rising Star from 2017-2020.

This session will address the ethical considerations during settlement negotiations, both directly and in mediation. What is puffing and what is misrepresentation? Have you fulfilled your ethical obligations in handling the case and being adequately prepared for settlement discussions, including mediation, and what do the rules require in this regard? Do you have an understanding of all of the issues that may need to be addressed during mediation? What are the ethical implications of an attorney not being prepared for a mediation, and what does a mediator do in that situation? This session will address the ethical rules and boundaries addressing settlement discussions, including confidentiality and candor.

Speakers:
Dyan Ebert is a shareholder in the law firm of Quinlivan & Hughes, P.A. where she has practiced for over 25 years in civil litigation, with a focus on employment and government liability, general casualty law, and insurance coverage. Dyan represents government entities, corporations, and individuals in all states of the litigation process, including before appellate courts. Dyan’s practice also includes serving as an ADR neutral, either as an arbitrator or mediator, in a wide variety of cases. Dyan is active and has held leadership roles in a several of national, state, and local professional organizations. Dyan is a Past President of the Minnesota State Bar Association serving as President from 2020-2021. Additionally, Dyan is the Vice President of the Association of Defense Trial Attorneys. Dyan has also served as President of the Minnesota Defense Lawyers Association and is a member of the Minnesota Women Lawyers' Advisory Board.

Susan Holden is a partner and shareholder in the law firm of SiebenCarey where she has spent her career representing clients in a variety of complex personal injury and wrongful death claims. She focuses her practice in cases involving trucking and automobile accidents, product defects, construction accidents, and medical malpractice. Susan's practice also includes serving as an ADR neutral, either arbitrator or mediator, or special master. She is a certified Civil Trial Specialist. She is a Qualified Neutral on the State Court Administration roster for civil cases. Susan also gives back to the profession through her extensive involvement in law related organizations and bar associations, including her service as President of the Minnesota Chapter of American Board of Trial Advocates (2018), President of the Minnesota State Bar Association (2005-2006) and President of the Hennepin County Bar Association (1999-2000). She has served on the American Bar Association’s House of Delegates since 2007 and recently finished a three-year term on the American Bar Association's Board of Governors. She serves on the boards of a variety of other professional associations and community organizations including non-profits in the Twin Cities and in northern Minnesota where she grew up.