41st Annual Convention
Thu, August 17, 2023
4:00 PM to
Sat, August 19, 2023
12:00 PM CT
CLE SCHEDULE
FRIDAY, AUGUST 18, 2023
7:30 – 9:00 am
Exhibit Hall Continental Breakfast
Sponsored by:
Capital Planning, Inc
Minnesota Neurorehabilitation Institute
8:55 – 9:00 am
Welcome and Land Acknowledgment
9:00 – 10:00 am
Living and Working with Trauma Awareness
Maureen Laufenberg, MA, LPCC, CCTP; Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor, St. Paul, MN
10:00 – 10:30 am
Go your own way: Representing the State of Minnesota against JUUL and Altria
Munir R. Meghjee, Robins Kaplan, LLP, Minneapolis, MN
10:30 – 10:45 am
Break
10:45 – 11:30 am
Battling the Bots: The Need for Personal Branding in the Age of Digital Marketing
Sara Williams, Alexander Shunnarah Trial Attorneys, Birmingham, AL
11:30 – 1:00 pm
Keynote Luncheon
How to Cross Examine Powerful People
Congresswoman Katie Porter, 47th Congressional District in Orange County, California
1:00 – 1:30 pm
Exhibit Hall Reception
Sponsored by:
John G. Stark M.D., P.A., Stark Orthopedic
1:30– 2:30 pm
Annual Membership Meeting
2:30 – 3:15 pm
Practice Pointers Following the Significant 2023 Legislative Changes
Jed Chronic, Maschka, Riedy, Ries & Frentz Law Firm, Mankato, MN
Elizabeth Fors, Robins Kaplan, LLP, Minneapolis, MN
Charles Slane, TSR Injury Law, Bloomington, MN
3:15 – 3:45 pm
Legalization is Here: What Is it and How Will Cannabis Affect Your Practice
Carol R.M. Moss, Hellmuth & Johnson, PLLC
3:45 – 4:45
Got ChatGPT? Generative AI, GPT, LLMs, and the Legal Data-driven Revolution.
Damien Riehl, VP, Litigation Workflow and Analytics Content, vLex
4:45 – 5:15 pm
Representing Survivors of Sexual Assault
Panelists:
Melissa Hague, The Joel Bieber Law Firm, Philadelphia, PA
Jenny E. Olson, TSR Injury Law, Bloomington, MN
Patrick Stoneking, Jeff Anderson and Associates, New York, NY
5:30 – 6:15 pm
New Lawyers Happy Hour
Sponsored by:
Premier Health
6:15 – 7:00 pm
Cocktail Reception
7:00 – 9:00 pm
Dinner and Awards Program
Keynote Presentation
Bringing Awareness & Change Through Activism
Bridie Farrell
SATURDAY, AUGUST 19, 2023
7:30 – 8:30 am
Exhibit Hall Continental Breakfast
Sponsored by:
Capital Planning, Inc
Minnesota Lawyers Mutual Insurance
Plenary SESSION
8:30 – 9:15 am
Complex Regional Pain Syndrome
Dr. Jim Dvorak, MD, MBA, Rayus Radiology, Minneapolis, MN
9:15 – 9:30 am
Break
BREAKOUT SESSIONS
CONCURRENT SESSION: BUSINESS OF LAW and WELLNESS
9:30 – 10:00 am
Boost your Digital Marketing and your sanity: DIY tutorial on Google Maps and Google Business Profile Optimization
Nalini Prasad, Blu Shark Digital, Washington, DC
10:00 – 10:30 am
From Selection to Success: The Power of Effective Hiring, Training, and Team Building
Brenda S. Fulmer, Searcy Denney Scarola Barnhart & Shipley, P.A; West Palm, FL
10:30 – 11:00 am
How to Incorporate Social Media and AI in your Firm's Marketing Plan
Kristen S. Gyolai, The Law Office of Kristen Gyolai, Victoria, MN
Ashleigh E. Raso, Nigh Goldenberg Raso & Vaughn, Minneapolis, MN
11:00 – 11:30 am
Keeping your Sh*t Together through Career Transitions and Life Challenges
Lauren Guth Barnes, Hagens Berman Sobol Shapiro LLP, Boston, MA
Jennifer M. Hoekstra, Aylstock, Witkin, Kreis & Overholtz, PLLC; Pensacola, FL
CONCURRENT SESSION: SHORT SHOT PRACTICE POINTERS
9:30 – 10:00 am
Tips for Frye/Mack Motions
Danielle T. Bird, Bird, Stevens & Borgen, P.C., Rochester, MN
Mary Beth Boyce, Schmidt and Salita Law Firm, Minnetonka, MN
10:00 – 10:30 am
Subrogation in Wrongful Death Cases
Cory P. Whalen, SiebenCarey, Minneapolis, MN
Markus C. Yira, Yira Law Office, Ltd, Hutchinson MN
10:30 – 10:50 am
The Demand Letter No One Wants (But it Works)
Karen Kingsley, Kingsley Law Office, P.A.St. Paul, MN
10:50 – 11:10 am
ChatGPT: Your AI Legal Sidekick
Judge Veronica Walther, Assistant Chief Workers' Compensation Judge, Office of Administrative Hearings, St. Paul, MN
11:10 – 11:30 am
Recording the IME - your best weapon against a slippery defense doctor.
Mike Hall, III, Hall Law, P.A., Minneapolis, MN
Plenary SESSION
11:30 – 12:30 pm
Appellate Case Law Update
Scott Wilson, Scott Wilson Law Firm, PLLC, Minneapolis, MN
12:45 pm
Board of Governors Luncheon Meeting
SOCIAL EVENT SCHEDULE
THURSDAY, AUGUST 17, 2023
11:30 am
GOLF - THE JUSTICE CUP
Join your colleagues for an afternoon of golf before the opening reception! MAJ has formally incorporated Bill Jepsen's annual golf outing as part of the MAJ Convention. Foursomes will start to Tee off at 11:30 am on the Classic Golf Course at Madden's. The event is $100.00 per golfer.
Sponsored by:
Minnesota Neurorehabilitation Institute
Physician Life Care Planning
Lexitas Court Reporting
Lexis Nexis
Mustang Litigation Funding
Nura Clinics
12:00 – 5:00 pm
LUNCHEON AND SPA AFTERNOON BY THE WOMEN FOR JUSTICE SECTION - MEMBERS ONLY
The MAJ Women for Justice Section invite members to a special luncheon and spa afternoon. You work hard and play hard so take the afternoon to treat yourself before the convention festivities begin. Participants will enjoy a wonderful lunch followed by an afternoon of pampering at The Spa at Madden's. Spaces for this event are limited due to the number of spa services offered. Spa services will be scheduled on a first come first serve basis. If you are interested in attending please contact Michaela Gislason at mgislason@mnaj.org today!
Sponsored by:
Liz Fors, Robins Kaplan, LLP
Dana Gerber, Atkinson Gerber Law Office, P.A.
Kristen Gyolai, The Law Office of Kristen Gyolai
Elham Haddon, Sandberg Personal Injury Law
Kate Hockin, Hall Law, P.A.
Kate Jaycox, Robins Kaplan LLP
Valerie Narcy, Hall Law, P.A.
Jenny Olson, TSR Injury Law
Christine Phillips, Capital Planning, Inc
James Schwebel, Schwebel, Goetz & Sieben, P.A.
Genevieve Zimmerman, Meshbesher & Spence, Ltd.
5:00 – 7:00 pm
COCKTAIL AND HORS D'OEUVRES RECEPTION
Welcome to the 2023 MAJ Annual Convention! MAJ Members will gather at Pavilion at Madden's for a relaxing cocktail and Hors d’Oeuvres reception. This is a great time to see friends, network with other members, enjoy the scenery and celebrate the past year in civil justice.
Sponsored by:
Robins Kaplan LLP
7:15 – 8:45 pm
TRIVIA
Join us for a new event at this years convention: Trivia with Trivia Mafia©!
Create a team or go solo and test your wits against your colleagues! Trivia Mafia is the largest and most popular bar trivia company in the Midwest: “Trivia Mafia ask questions about everything under the sun (and, in certain astronomy-themed rounds, stuff beyond that). Pop culture, history, geography, science, even wordplay and puzzles. There are no rules. Well, actually, there is one rule. As they like to say: "Use your noodle. Not your Google."
Sponsored by:
National Dizzy & Balance Center
8:00 – 10:00 pm
NEW LAWYERS SECTION NETWORKING BOAT CRUISE
Sponsored by:
Robson Forensic
Advocacy Digital Media, Inc.
9:00 pm
MAJ AFTER HOURS
Socialize at O’Madden’s Pub and MAJ Lounge. Karaoke, networking, pizza.
Pub Sponsored by Schwebel, Goetz & Sieben, P.A.
Pizza Sponsored by Genevieve Zimmerman, Meshbesher & Spence, Ltd.
FRIDAY, AUGUST 18, 2023
7:30 am
5K WALK/RUN
What a better way to ‘Recharge to Take Charge’ then a brisk 5K morning walk or run?! Join us for a beautiful 3.1 mile run, jog or stroll throughout the beautiful Madden’s Resort. This event will get you ready for the long day of cutting edge CLE programming and amazing keynote speakers!
Sponsored by:
National Dizzy & Balance Center
11:30 – 1:00 pm
KEYNOTE LUNCHEON
CONGRESSWOMAN KATIE PORTER
Congresswoman Katie Porter represents the 47th Congressional District in Orange County, California.
Before coming to Congress, Rep. Porter spent nearly two decades taking on the special interests that dominate American politics and drown out the voices of working families and winning. A lifelong consumer advocate, she taught bankruptcy law at the University of California, Irvine School of Law. As California’s independent watchdog against the banks, she oversaw big banks that had cheated Orange County homeowners to get them to follow through on their promise to help families get back on their feet. As a consumer finance expert, Congresswoman Porter also helped Congress pass the original Credit CARD Act in 2009, which enacted federal protections from abusive credit card fees.
Sponsored by:
Greeman Toomey
1:00 – 1:30 pm
EXHIBIT HALL RECEPTION
All registrants and their guests are invited to a cocktail reception in the Exhibit Hall. Join us in the in the Exhibition Hall immediately following the Keynote.
Sponsored by:
John G. Stark M.D., P.A., Stark Orthopedic
1:30 – 2:30 pm
ANNUAL MEMBERSHIP MEETING
All members are invited to the Annual Membership Meeting where MAJ staff and board will update you on the past year of the organization and elect new officers and board members.
5:30 – 6:15 pm
NEW LAWYERS HAPPY HOUR
All new lawyers and first time attendees are invited to attend this event with the MAJ Officers. This is a great opportunity for new lawyers to share their thoughts and ideas for MAJ’s products and services, as well as a time for emerging leaders to ask questions of seasoned trial lawyers.
Sponsored by:
Minnesota Neurorehabilitation Institute
6:15 – 9:00 pm
RECEPTION AND AWARDS DINNER
All registrants and their guests are invited to MAJ’s annual awards dinner. Join us in the Ballroom to start with a cocktail hour at 6:00 pm, followed by dinner and program at 7:00 pm.
KEYNOTE PRESENTATION
BRIDIE FARRELL
Bridie Farrell is an advocate on behalf of crime victims and survivors of abuse and exploitation. She is a frequent commentator in the media and a distinguished speaker about issues related to abuse.
Bridie was a nationally ranked speedskater at the age of 15 when she was sexually abused by her 33-year-old Olympic silver medalist teammate. She went on to hold three American records but missed four Olympic teams, while her abuser became the President of US Speedskating and Chairman of the International Skating Union.
Bridie publicly disclosed the abuse in 2013 and subsequently gave up a career in finance to commit herself to the cause of abuse survivors and crime victims.
Bridie’s work is now national in scope and inspired her to create the nonprofit America Loves Kids, which provides services and support to survivors and advocates for passage of survivor-oriented public policy. She was instrumental in the adoption of Child Victims Act laws across the country, from New York to Arizona, and has been a leader in advocating for new legislation to benefit survivors such as the Adult Survivors Act in New York and California.
Sponsored by:
Greeman Toomey
9:00 – 12:00 am
MAJ AFTER HOURS
Members are invited to gather after the awards dinner for a lively moderated discussion of emerging legal issues. No cameras or recordings are allowed and CLE credits will not be available for this event. This is a great chance to exchange ideas with your colleagues and get to know other members in an informal setting.
Whiskey Sponsored by Scott Wilson, Scott Wilson Law Firm, PLLC
Other Beverages, including N/A options Sponsored by Kate E. Jaycox, Robins Kaplan LLC
SATURDAY, AUGUST 19, 2023
7:00 am
SUNRISE YOGA
Did you know that yoga supports stress management, mental health, mindfulness, healthy eating, weight loss and quality sleep? In addition to regulating your nervous system, yoga is a great way to gently stretch your muscles and build strength. Please join us for sunrise yoga. Wear loose fitting comfortable clothes and we will do the rest!
7:30 am
SOBER SUPPORT MEETING
Every day more and more people are embracing an alcohol free lifestyle. At times, maintaining that lifestyle can be a challenge. Please join us for an ‘all recovery’ sober support meeting lead by Carla Ferrucci and Sarah Soucie. ‘All recovery’ meaning we will offer peer recovery support in an open format that does not adhere to a particular recovery model. All paths and journeys are welcome at this meeting.
CHILDCARE OPTIONS
The Adventure Cove at Madden's is scheduled to be open from 4 p.m. - 9:00 p.m. on Thursday and 5:00 p.m. - 10:00 p.m. on Friday for children ages 4 - 12 (must be completely potty trained). This will include dinner and activities during our scheduled receptions and dinners. All children MUST be registered in advance. Registration for the Adventure Cove is part of the convention registration. MAJ is currently working with Madden's regarding daycare options outside of these hours. If you are interesting in hiring a babysitter, please contact Michaela Gislason at mgislason@mnaj.org or (612) 334-3137.
CLE CREDIT
MAJ has requested CLE hours from the Minnesota (9.75 Standard) and Wisconsin (11.5 hours) Boards of Continuing Legal Education.
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FACULTY
Lauren Guth Barnes
Hagens Berman Sobol Shapiro LLP
Boston, MA
Danielle Bird
Bird, Stevens & Borgen, P.C.
Bloomington, MN
Mary Beth Boyce
Schmidt & Salita Law Team
Minnetonka, MN
Elizabeth Middleton Burke
Rogers, Patrick, Westbrook & Brickman, LLC
Mount Pleasant, SC
Jed Chronic
Maschka, Riedy, Ries & Frentz Law Firm
Mankato, MN
Dr. Jim Dvorak, MD, MBA
Rayus Radiology
Minneapolis, MN
Elizabeth Fors
Robins Kaplan, LLP
Minneapolis, MN
Brenda S. Fulmer
Searcy Denney Scarola Barnhart & Shipley, P.A
West Palm, FL
Kristen S. Gyolai
The Law Office of Kristen Gyolai
Victoria, MN
Melissa Hague
The Joel Bieber Law Firm
Philadelphia, PA
Michael Hall, III
Hall Law, P.A.
Minneapolis, MN
Jennifer M. Hoekstra
Aylstock, Witkin, Kreis & Overholtz, PLLC
Pensacola, FL
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Maureen Laufenberg, MA, LPCC, CCTP
Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor
St. Paul, MN
Munir R. Meghjee
Robins Kaplan, LLP
Minneapolis, MN
Carol R.M. Moss
Hellmuth & Johnson, PLLC
Edina, MN
Jenny E. Olson
TSR Injury Law
Bloomington, MN
Nalini Prasad
Blu Shark Digital
Washington, DC
Ashleigh E. Raso
Nigh Goldenberg Raso & Vaughn
Minneapolis, MN
Damien Riehl
vLex
Minneapolis, MN
Charles D. Slane
TSR Injury Law
Bloomington, MN
Patrick Stoneking
Jeff Anderson and Associates
New York, NY
Judge Veronica Walther
Office of Administrative Hearings
St. Paul, MN
Cory P. Whalen
SiebenCarey
Minneapolis, MN
Sara Williams
Alexander Shunnarah Trial Attorneys
Birmingham, AL
Scott Wilson
Scott Wilson Law Firm, PLLC
Minneapolis, MN
Markus C. Yira
Yira Law Office, Ltd
Hutchinson MN
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ROOM RESERVATIONS
Reservations are always important for planning purposes; however, they are IMPERATIVE this year. We need to know who is attending in person as early as possible, so please reserve your room at Madden’s. The deadline to reserve a room is June 29th!
The 2023 MAJ Annual Convention will take place at Madden's on Gull Lake in Brainerd, MN. We are encouraging members who plan to attend the program to reserve rooms at Madden's early. Reservations can be made online HERE. Our room block will be released on June 29, 2023. .
A $200 deposit is required at time of reservation request. The balance will be charged upon checkout. You are responsible for your entire stay; early departures or reservations reduced in length are not refundable. Package payments are refundable, less a $25.00 cancellation fee if you cancel by June 29, 2023. Any cancellations made after June 29, 2023 will not receive a refund (replacements are gladly accepted). Reservations made after the deadline are non-refundable.
Refunds will be made only if notification of cancellation is received ten business days in advance of the convention less a $75 administrative fee. Please Note: Membership Benefits and Passport to Excellence DO NOT apply to the convention.
555 Wabasha St N #250
