MINNESOTA
CHAPTER

Welcome to the 2025-2026 bar year for the Minnesota Chapter of the Federal Bar Association! I am honored to be your President, and I am looking forward to all we will do together over the coming months. First, a huge thank you to the immediate past president Magistrate Judge Elizabeth Cowan Wright. Judge Wright, with her fiscal commonsense, steady leadership, and positivity, set the Chapter up for success for years to come. Our Chapter owes thanks to Judge Wright along with its long series of dedicated presidents and leaders. We started off this year with a party like it was 1999. That’s right, I’m referring to the 2025 FBA Annual Meeting and Convention here in the Twin Cities from September 11-13. Our three National Convention co-chairs, Jeanette Bazis, Kyle Kroll, and Adine Momoh, created an event for the ages. It started with civics presentations at local middle and high schools and at our St. Paul Courthouse. The Convention picked up steam with a day of intriguing CLEs. I received several unsolicited comments from local attorneys that it was the best day of CLEs in recent memory—most people weren’t even able to multitask and review email it was so fast-paced. We heard from Senator Amy Klobuchar and St. Paul Mayor Melvin Carter at the awards luncheon, where many deserving FBA members from across the country were recognized. And we partied like we were Prince’s lawyers, surrounded by a Minnesota themed celebration that included a smokin’ Prince cover band. I was so proud to showcase our Chapter and state to attorneys and judges from across the country. With the momentum from the National Convention, we are off to a busy year. Our monthly luncheons began on September 10 with a presentation from our National FBA leadership. There is an impressive line-up of planned monthly luncheons throughout the rest of the year (other than November—that’s just me talking). By the end of this month, the Chapter will have put on the Antitrust Practice Group Annual Social, the 15th Annual Disability Justice Seminar, and a Newer Lawyer Luncheon with the Honorable John R. Tunheim. October is representative of the level of activity our Chapter maintains throughout the year. I look forward to attending as many of these events as possible, and I hope to see you there! I see an opportunity for our Chapter this year in civics education. This summer marks our democracy’s 250th birthday. The judicial branch of government—near and dear to all our hearts—is often the least understood. I am hoping our Chapter can provide some engaging civics education opportunities for all ages leading up to and as part of this milestone for our country. Your ideas and volunteerism are welcome. Throughout this bar year, you can look forward to our favorite flagship events: the Federal Judges Dinner Dance, Court Camp, the Golf Tournament, and the Education Seminar. And our practice-focused committees will undoubtedly provide even more fantastic opportunities. Our Diversity & Inclusion committee continues its important work, as do our Law School Outreach and Bar Talk committees. If you are new to the FBA or the Chapter and looking for a way to get involved, writing an article for Bar Talk or joining any of these committees are excellent ways to participate. Check out the committees in more detail on our Chapter website at https://www.mnfedbar.org/initiatives. Let’s have a great year of learning together and enjoying the people that make up the bench and bar of this great state.