This event is now sold out. Thank you for your interest!
The Minnesota Defense Lawyers Association proudly announces the MDLA Diversity Committee Kickoff Event to be held on June 4, 2015, at the law firm of Nilan Johnson Lewis in Minneapolis.
The MDLA Diversity Committee was created in 2014 with the two-fold mission to promote and achieve greater diversity within the MDLA and its member firms.
Our keynote speaker, Pamela Carter of the Carter Law Group of New Orleans, Louisiana, will speak regarding practical steps firms may consider in seeking to achieve diversity within these firms. Ms. Carter’s presentation will address such topics as inclusion training, implementation, setting clear goals, leadership commitment and resources, recruitment strategies, mentoring programs and creating a multicultural environment.
Distinguished attorneys of diverse ethnicities, cultures, and backgrounds will hold a panel discussion speaking to issues of diversity they experience in their day-to-day practices. Thereafter, members of our state and federal judiciary will discuss issues of diversity in the courtroom and the need for cultural competency. Following the panel discussions of 45 minutes each we will have a social hour where people can enjoy hors d’oeuvres, refreshment, and each other’s company.
2.0 CLEs for bias elimination have been applied for. Registration is free if registered by June 1. Come join us in a celebration of diversity and earn your bias credits at the same time!
Cost
By June 1: Free
After June 1: $20
Agenda
3:00 - 3:30 pm
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Registration
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3:30 - 3:40 pm
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Welcom and Introduction
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3:40 - 4:20 pm
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Panel: Diversity in Practice
- Clinton Collins, Attorney, GEICO;
- Portia Hampton Flowers, Deputy City Attorney, St. Paul
- Daniel Payne. Attorney, Meagher & Geer and Lawyers Concerned for Lawyers
- Laura Nelson, Attorney, Robins Kaplan and Minnesota Lavendar Bar Association
- Keiko Sugisaka, Attorney, Maslon and MNAPABA
- Moderator: Bryan Browning, Attorney, Bassford Remele
Join our panel made up of distinguished attorneys from a variety of cultural, ethnic, and orientation backgrounds that will speak to the challenges they face in day-to-day practice, challenges in firm recruitment, retention, and advancement, and the business case for diversity.
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4:20 - 4:25 pm
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Break
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4:25 - 5:10 pm
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Panel: Diversity in the Courtroom
- Associate Judge Minnesota Court of Appeals Margaret Chutich
- Hennepin County District Court Judge Anne McKeig
- Ramsey County District Court Judge Jeffrey Bryan
- Hennepin County Judge Daniel Moreno
- Moderator: Judge Leonardo Castro
Join our panel made up of distinguished jurists from our trial and appellate courts who will speak to the issues of diversity and bias they see in the courtroom and the need for cultural competency.
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5:10 - 5:15 pm
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Break
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5:15 - 5:55 pm
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Keynote Pathway to Diversity; Practical Steps that firms may employ.
Pamela Carter, Attorney, Carter Law Group, LLC - DRI
Pamela Carter, Principal of Carter Law Group and Defense Research Institute Diversity Committee Chair will address best practices firms may employ to achieve diversity, including inclusion training, implementation, setting clear goals, leadership committment and resources, recruitment strategies, mentoring programs, and creating a multicultural environment.
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5:55 - 7:00 pm
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Reception/Social Hour
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7:00 pm
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Adjourn
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Location/Host Sponsor

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Featured Sponsors



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Law Firm Sponsors
- Arthur Chapman Kettering Smetak & Pikala
- Bassford Remele PA
- Blethen, Gage & Krause, PLLP
- Cousineau McGuire
- Fisher Bren & Sheridan LLP
- Godfrey & Ashley
- Jardine Logan & O'Brien PLLP
- Lind Jensen Sullivan & Peterson PA
- Meagher & Geer PLLP
- MSBA New Lawyers
- OMeara, Leer, Wagner & Kohl, P.A.
- Quinlivan & Hughes PA
- Stich Angell Kreidler Unke & Scattergood
- Terhaar Archibald Pfefferle & Griebel
LLP
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CLE Credits
MN Bias Credits have been applied for (2.0 hours).
Cancellations between June 1 and June 4 will not receive a refund. No shows will not receive a refund.
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