MDLA Committees

About

Join a committee to immerse yourself in your favorite legal area with fellow defense attorneys that share your interest and can provide valuable expertise! MDLA committees provide excellent opportunities to learn and participate in discussing specialized topics with other members in similar practices.  With a variety of substantive law areas, there are many opportunities to exchange knowledge and experience with fellow defense attorneys and attend free CLEs provided by the committees. Committees offer CLE credit and provide opportunities for networking, sharing information, and potential leadership opportunities. Committees are open to all MDLA members.

Interested? Each committee has a regular mailing list.

Substantive and Mission Support

Each MDLA substantive law committee focuses on a select area of the civil defense practice. committees have meetings throughout the year to keep members connected and up-to-date on ongoing issues; because the committees focus on specialized legal fields, presentations offer an opportunity to dive deeply into topics and discuss the nuances of particularized legal issues. Interested in joining? We regularly invite members, judges, and other experts to present for CLE credit. Select the committee from the list below, read about their activities and then scroll down to join their regular mailing list to be emailed about upcoming meetings.

Want to get involved? Sign into your profile and add yourself to the Committee Groups of your choice.

Substantive Law

Mission Support

Involvement

Committees offer a variety of involvement opportunities – attending a committee meeting is the best way to start building your network.  MDLA members can attend committee meetings to learn and network as your schedule permits. Joining a committee keeps you informed of their meetings and events – whether you have practiced in the specialty for years or are getting started, joining a committee is a great way to increase your knowledge and stay up to date on emerging issues. Committee meetings often qualify for CLE credits as part of your MDLA membership. 

Leadership

MDLA offers multiple opportunities for leadership and growth. Committees are led by 2-3 chairs. Chairs facilitate topic selection, frequency, scheduling of meetings, and select articles for publication. Any member can become a committee chair. Interested? Email director@mdla.org or connect with the current chairs to discuss succession planning.

CLE Codes

Each committee holds regular meetings and are encouraged to apply for CLE credit for each meeting. CLE credit codes are recorded and listed on the MDLA website for Members to review at convenience.

Looking for your CLE codes? View a record of CLE codes on the MDLA website here.

Events

Mid-winter Conference

MDLA Mid-winter Conference (MWC) is held annually on the last weekend in January. To facilitate attendance by our statewide members, the location changes every year. MWC provides programming with topics relevant to all defense lawyers, and holds a family-friendly event on Friday. Hear how our presenters have used unique or interesting angles/approaches to trial and specialized  areas of practice, and how you can apply these tips to your own practice!

Trial Techniques Seminar

MDLA Trial Techniques Seminar (TTS) is held annually the third weekend of August in Duluth, Minnesota. The speakers and topics at this seminar attract trial lawyers from across the state. Additionally, the social events are fun, often family friendly, and provide an excellent opportunity  to network. These include a welcome reception on Thursday evening, the presentation of the annual MDLA Awards during lunch on Friday, and a family-friendly party on Friday evening. We hope you will take advantage of this unique opportunity to interact with our faculty, members, and their friends and family members. 

Women In the Law Committee

MDLA is proud of its Women in the Law Committee. The Committee hosts regular programs for CLE credit, including its annual breakfast in July. The annual breakfast is one of the most well-attended MDLA events. The Committee provides opportunities to develop and strengthen relationships, facilitate business growth, professional development, and supports women’s career advancement and awareness about issues of interest to women lawyers.

Diversity

MDLA is proud of its active Diversity Committee. Some of the amazing programs the Diversity committee promotes throughout the year are the support of diverse law students through a mentorship program, attendance at both of MDLA’s  annual conferences and a growing summer diversity clerkship program. The Committee hosts an annual half day Diversity Seminar which includes Elimination of Bias credit. The Committee also holds regular “lunch and learn” opportunities focused on diversity and inclusion from historical to current events and their impact on the law and our community.

Trial Academy

MDLA offers an annual Trial Academy involving current judges and experienced attorneys to focus on practical trial skills. This Academy is particularly useful in keeping young associates trial-ready during the time of the vanishing jury trial and allowing anyone who has been out of the courtroom for any reason (Covid anyone?) to tune up and stay ready!

Professional Development

Networking

Numerous members cite MDLA as critical to their professional development and relationship building with fellow practitioners, current and future clients, and litigation support professionals including experts, trial consultants, and more. MDLA offers networking opportunities throughout the year- through committee meetings, happy hours and our annual conferences.

Information Sharing/Request for Information

One benefit of MDLA membership is the ability to submit Requests for Information (RFIs) to your peers in the defense law community. MDLA sends all members a weekly RFI on Friday afternoons. To be included in the next RFI email, make sure to submit your request by the close of business on Wednesday. Only MDLA members are eligible to participate in the RFI drafting/response benefit. Send your RFI to suey@mdla.org  with the name of the inquiring attorney, the subject matter in question, and to whom responses should be sent.

Publication Opportunities in the Magazine

MDLA publishes a quarterly magazine featuring substantive law articles written by MDLA members, news of the Association, event highlights and photos, and notices of up-coming events. The magazine provides a great opportunity for MDLA members to publish. The Editorial Committee oversees the publication process.

Each committee develops topical articles throughout the year. Interested in being published or want to co-author? Contact the substantive law committee chair or director@mdla.org to learn more.

Presentation Opportunities

MDLA members have the opportunity to present for CLE credit throughout the year. We prioritize members as conference and event speakers to the full membership. Members are encouraged to share their expertise with the substantive law committees through one hour committee meetings.

Interested in presenting to a committee or want to learn more? Work with the substantive committee chair, or contact director@mdla.org.

Amicus Briefs

The MDLA Amicus Curiae Committee will consider requests for the MDLA to appear as amicus curiae in cases where the legal issue on appeal will be of substantial interest to the MDLA and its members. We normally will only appear in the Minnesota Supreme Court or Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals, cases except in rare circumstances where a Minnesota Court of Appeals appearance may be appropriate.

MDLA members can request consideration of an amicus appearance. Interested?  https://www.mdla.org/page/Cmte_Amicus_Curiae.

Legislative Tracking

Legislative Report

MDLA's Law Improvement Committee monitors legislation introduced in Minnesota's Legislature. Meetings are scheduled as needed throughout the year. The committee holds a meeting at the beginning of each session to establish focus areas, and sends weekly updates to the membership.

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