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Creating and using them with AI (without tears or a course in Excel)
When lawyers hear the word spreadsheet, one of two reactions usually follows. The first is mild panic (“I don’t remember how formulas work”). The second is mild guilt (“I know I should be using spreadsheets, but…”). We know they’re powerful. We know our staff swears by them. And if we’re being really honest, we know that somewhere in every well-run office, there is at least one carefully guarded Excel file quietly holding the entire operation together. By Kristi Paulson
Litigation involving software is complex and requires specialized industry knowledge. To successfully litigate a software dispute, attorneys must ask the right questions to identify and gain access to relevant technical data. This article identifies a few strategies for successfully litigating a software dispute.
By Thomas Wheeler and Todd Wind
The Minnesota Supreme Court weighs amending a rule
This article was prompted in part by a petition currently before the Minnesota Supreme Court to amend Rule 3.8, Minnesota of Professional Conduct, which is titled “Special Responsibilities of a Prosecutor.” The petition, filed in January 2025, is a joint petition of the Lawyers Professional Responsibility Board and the Director of the Office of Lawyers Professional Responsibility. By Kevin Slator
Minnesota businesses overturn insurance coverage denials in court
Minnesota businesses often rely on insurance coverage when an unexpected loss occurs. But according to one recent insurance industry study, business insurance claims are often denied or left unpaid by the insurer. A 2024 report by a major claim administrator notes that more than 24 percent of general liability claims were denied and more than 50 percent were closed with zero dollars incurred. By Trevor S. Johnson
We encourage you to explore these companies and organizations as you seek out the right product or service for your needs.
These letters were all received in response to David Schultz's "A Second Bill of Particulars: Donald Trump and the assault on American Democracy," which appeared in the December, 2025 edition of Bench & Bar of Minnesota. Their text has not been edited.
President's Page
I turned 40 right before I started writing this column. That means I’m probably slightly less than halfway through my career in the law—and if I’m lucky, somewhat less than halfway through my life. It’s a strange milestone. I’m not old—although my lower back might disagree—but I’m not young anymore either. By Tom Pack
Professional Responsibility
For this column, I’m going to look at questions we frequently receive this time of year as law firms submit their required annual report. Annual reports covering the previous year are due January 1, but we continue to receive reports throughout the month of January. By Susan M. Humiston
Wellness
Pickleball didn’t just save my hip. It saved my practice. And it did so using a paddle, a wiffle ball, and a group of very patient seniors who ran circles around me. By Timothy Theisen
Colleague Corner
MSBA in Action
Notes & Trends
Landmarks in the Law
Tracking new developments in Minnesota and federal case law, administrative law, and legislation across multiple practice areas.
