Date: October 5, 2010
For Immediate Release
NEWS RELEASE

Minnesota Justice Foundation Event to Feature
U.S. Attorney for Minnesota

B. Todd Jones, U.S. Attorney for the District of Minnesota will be the keynote speaker on November 10, 2010 at the Annual Awards Celebration of the Minnesota Justice Foundation (MJF).

The Constitution often makes it necessary for the U.S. Attorney’s office to take positions on controversial issues in the news. Jones will discuss the role of public attorneys in the midst of the current political climate. His presentation is entitled, “Balancing National Security Concerns and Civil Liberties – Policy, Politics, and Practicalities in the 21st Century.”

Jones was appointed by President Barack Obama and was confirmed on August 9, 2009 for his second stint as U.S. Attorney. President Clinton appointed Jones to the position for the first time in 1998 and Jones served until January 2001.

The public service mission of MJF intersects with that of the U.S. Attorney’s office and with other governmental law enforcement and public defender agencies. MJF’s law student volunteers often donate their services to prosecuting agencies and to public defender agencies. These law student volunteers, working under the supervision of legal service providers and private law firm attorneys, also assist low-income and homeless Minnesotans with non-criminal legal matters. Last year, MJF volunteers helped serve the legal needs of more than 12,000 individuals.

MJF annually honors Minnesota legal professionals for their exemplary service to low-income clients. . The following individuals will be recognized at MJF’s 2010 celebration:

DISTINGUISHED SERVICE: Christopher Bercaw (Dorsey & Whitney)
ADVOCATE: Jodie Boderman (Faegre & Benson)
DIRECT LEGAL SERVICE: Jim Street (Southern Minnesota Regional Legal Services)
PRIVATE PRACTICE: Brockton Hunter

Four law students, one from each Minnesota law school, will also receive awards. They are Micah Ludeke (Hamline University School of Law), Ann LeBeda (University of St. Thomas School of Law), Steven Schmidt (University of Minnesota Law School) and Lilo Kaiser (William Mitchell College of Law).

Reservations for MJF's 2010 Annual Awards Celebration may be made by calling 612.625.1584 or by sending an e-mail to admin@mnjustice.org. The event will be held from 5:30 pm to 8:30 pm at International Market Square in Minneapolis.


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