https://www.mnbar.org/
Permitting reforms in Minnesota’s 2024 Agriculture and Energy Omnibus Bill
Minnesota has one of the most ambitious clean energy goals in the country: 100 percent carbon-free electricity by 2040. Behind the state’s aspirational goal lies a monumental effort to reform an antiquated and halting permitting process that has contributed significantly to statewide delays in the construction and energization of energy infrastructure, including that needed to achieve the 2040 goal.
By Andrew Moratzka, Thomas Braun, and Eden Fauré
Prevent, manage, clean up: Planet PFAS Part 2
Part one of this article (“Planet PFAS: Laws, litigation, and the battles over forever chemicals,” B&B 12/24), focused on the increasing volume of litigation of all types surrounding per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). Paralleling this increase in litigation is an evolving regulatory regime that is in part based on existing environmental statutes and liabilities, and in part all its own.
For decades the brokerage industry enjoyed cartel-like control over residential real estate. They controlled the data, the fees, the competition, and even the regulatory agencies charged with enforcing licensing laws against them. All that may be changing because of a 2019 Minnesota-based class action lawsuit that is having national impacts on Realtor business practices.
By Douglas R. Miller
During the 2023 legislative session, the Minnesota Legislature enacted sweeping eviction reforms that aimed to bring fairness and transparency into the process by which renters are summarily removed from their homes.
By Julia D. Zwak
Getting ready for the Minnesota Consumer Data Privacy Act
The digital world promises efficiency and knowledge, but it also poses new threats with respect to the security, ownership, and privacy of our data. There can be real-world consequences of failing to secure data: bad actors hacking into critical infrastructure, perpetrators using geolocation information to track victims, or foreign nations stealing trade secrets.
By Madeline Gustafson
We encourage you to explore these companies and organizations as you seek out the right product or service for your needs.
President's Page
As the president of the Minnesota State Bar Association, I want to highlight an essential but sometimes overlooked part of our professional community: our district bar associations. These 21 local groups form the backbone of the MSBA, offering lawyers opportunities for connection, leadership, and service at the regional level.
By Samuel Edmunds
Professional Responsibility
As we settle into 2025, it is appropriate to review 2024. Each year a summary of the prior year’s public discipline appears in this column. The purpose of this summary is largely a cautionary tale for lawyers; one of the reasons for public discipline is to deter misconduct by other lawyers. Public discipline also demonstrates to the public that the profession takes ethical misconduct seriously.
By Susan Humiston
Colleague Corner
With Megan Pierce Campbell, Clinton Collins Jr., Stacy Bettison, and Amanda McAllister Novak
MSBA in Action
Catherine London, a seasoned healthcare attorney and passionate advocate, has dedicated her career to improving the lives of individuals facing cancer through her work with Cancer Legal Care (CLC). With 12 years of experience in health law, London’s journey began at Fredrikson & Byron, where she represented healthcare companies on regulatory and transactional matters. Today she leads her own healthcare advising firm while continuing to make a profound impact through her partnership with CLC.
Each year, the MSBA honors those who exemplify the legacy of Bernard P. Becker, a champion of legal rights for the vulnerable and those living in poverty.
If you completed 50 hours or more of pro bono service in 2024, we encourage you to certify your hours today to become a North Star Lawyer. As a bonus, if you include the organization where you volunteered, eligible organizations will be entered for a $5,000 grant from the Minnesota State Bar Foundation.
Notes & Trends
Tracking new developments in Minnesota and federal case law, administrative law, and legislation across multiple practice areas.
