In times of crisis, people turn to the legal system for protection, resolution, and justice. Whether it’s a single parent seeking child support, a homeowner fighting foreclosure, or a victim of domestic abuse pursuing a protective order, access to legal representation can be life-changing. But under a new proposal in the governor’s budget, a sales tax on consumer legal services could make that access significantly more expensive—placing an unfair burden on those who need legal help the most.  

By Samuel Edmunds

Private discipline is nonpublic discipline issued for violations of the Minnesota Rules of Professional Conduct (MRPC) that are isolated and nonserious. Several lessons can be learned from reviewing the mistakes and situations that led to private discipline last year. 

By Susan Humiston

Our law firm consists of many attorneys who once worked at larger law firms. We are like a group of seasoned runners who once trained where there were steep billable hour quotas, high overhead, and an exhausting pace that left little room for balance. Now we practice law at our Bloomington office, which overlooks a small lake surrounded by scenic trails. And we have formed a group that actually does run together.

By Donald R. McNeil

In February 2024, the Minnesota Supreme Court granted the Board of Continuing Legal Education’s petition to amend the Rules of the Minnesota Board of Continuing Legal Education to require all lawyers to take one credit in the category of “mental health and substance use in the legal profession and in the practice of law” during each three-year reporting period.

The MSBA is strongly opposed to taxing consumer legal services, which would be particularly damaging for lower-income and average-income Minnesotans who already can’t afford lawyers when they need them. 

MaryCathleen Fenske of Halvorson Legal in Buffalo provides full representation for divorce and custody matters. She also serves as a mediator, parenting consultant, or custody evaluator for cases where there is at least one pro bono attorney through Central Minnesota Legal Services.

Tracking new developments in Minnesota and federal case law, administrative law, and legislation across multiple practice areas.