A Resounding Success

The scene at Arrowwood Resort and Conference Center for the Great Minnesota Legal Services Get-Together was one of renewed commitment to the legal services call, a rekindling of old friendships and the welcoming of new, and of course, the thirst for knowledge and sharing of professional experience. The Minnesota Legal Services Coalition hosted a record number of conference participants and guests totally nearly 250. Highlights of the conference included a keynote address on the future of civil legal aid and a plenary session on ABA standards conducted by Alan Houseman, Executive Director of the Center for Law and Social Policy in Washington, DC; sessions on policy work and important legislative issues, Civil Gideon, cross-cultural communication, and chronic illness in the workplace; and a special session on defending homeowners in foreclosure by Amber Hawkins of the Housing Preservation Project.
Thursday evening, October 11th found conference participants applauding Pro Bono Publico honorees Representative Michael Paymar and Chief Justice Russell Anderson, who attended the awards banquet in person to receive their commendations from masters of ceremony Maureen O'Connell (Legal Services Advocacy Project and the Legal Services Coalition) and David Lund (Legal Services of Northeastern Minnesota).

Douglas Johnson of the Legal Aid Service of Northwest Minnesota, Inc. presented the Dawn Carlson Award to both Katie Trotzky and Jayne Barnard McCoy for their unwavering commitment to family law clients.

Karen Hill (LASNEM), Kent Carlson (LASNEM), Patricia Siebert (MMLA), Nancy Kleeman (MMLA), Kathleen Eveslage (SMRLS) and Steven Wolfe (SMRLS) were honored for twenty-five years each, of dedicated service to legal aid.

Following the banquet, conferees were treated to an evening of live music with the band Sub-Level Six featuring Ron Elwood of the Legal Services Advocacy Project on drums. Participants danced the night away to the band's outstanding blend of rock and pop covers.

For those interested, the Coalition staff has several remaining copies of the booklet titled "Legal Services Corporation Performance Criteria Booklets" which was available at the conference. Please contact Ann Conroy at 651-228-9105, ext 111 if you are interested in receiving a copy.