2007-2008 MWL
Committees: Profiles at a Glance
Co-chairs and members of MWL's committees coordinate
countless events, projects and initiatives each year. MWL has begun another
exciting year, with planning in full gear. All MWL members and the greater legal
community are invited to participate in any of the upcoming events and projects.
To join a committee or learn more about committee involvement,
contact a committee co-chair (see below) directly, attend an upcoming committee
meeting, or contact the MWL office at 612/338-3205 or
mwl@mwlawyers.org.
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Attorney to
Attorney Mentor Program
Co-Chairs:
Pamela Rochlin, Rochlin Law Firm,
952/836-2727
Abby Wilkinson, Faegre & Benson,
612/766-7152
The Attorney to Attorney
Mentor Program shall administer a mentor program, bringing together experienced
attorneys and newer attorneys, and thereby creating opportunities for attorneys
to establish informal mentoring relationships.
Recent Committee Activities:
• Monthly mentor luncheons hosted by area legal employers
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The Chapter Development Committee
shall foster the development of MWL chapters throughout the state, with a goal
of at least one MWL chapter or informal group meeting in each judicial district.
The Committee shall also maintain a relationship with each MWL chapter or group,
both new and existing, providing support as needed.
Recent Committee Activities:
• Working to coordinate a Duluth MWL Chapter
• Met with attorneys in Willmar (12th bar district); providing ongoing support
• Met with attorneys in Red Wing (Goodhue & Wabasha counties); providing ongoing
support
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Communications
Co-Chairs:
Barbara Jones, Minnesota Lawyer,
612/584-1543
Amy Klugherz, Attorney at Law,
612/339-7717
The Communications Committee will focus on both
external and internal communications and assist not only the organization, but
our members to communicate effectively with clients, colleagues, the media and
community as a whole.
Recent Committee Activities:
• Newly formed committee . . .
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Community Action
Co-Chairs:
Teresa Fariss McClain Hallberg & McClain,
651/255-6815
Bridget McCauley Nason LeVander, Gillen
& Miller, 651/ 451-1831
Alison Knoche, Ramsay & DeVore,
651/604-0000
The Community Action Committee shall promote MWL’s
image and heighten its visibility, and the visibility of its
members, within the legal community, the law schools and the public at large.
Through its activities, the Committee
shall also act as liaison to other bar, professional and community groups, as
well as work with organizations, both within and outside the legal community, to
achieve complementary social goals.
Recent Committee Activities:
• Girl Scount Law Day
• Professional women’s clothing drive
• Exploring opportunities for pro bono or community service projects
• Promotion of volunteer and board opportunities
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Development
Co-Chairs:
Elizabeth Wefel,
University of
St.
Thomas School of Law,
651/962-4865
Megan Hertzler, Xcel Energy
c/o Legal Department, 612/ 215-4589
The Development Committee shall serve as the lead group, in
collaboration with the Board of Directors, to implement MWL’s ongoing individual
membership recruitment and retention efforts, as well as solicit legal employer
sponsorship support.
Recent Committee Activities:
• Coordinated “I am MWL” marketing campaign
• Solicited new funds through Premier Sponsorships
• Continuing development of individual member campaign
Diversity
Co-Chairs:
Uyen Campbell, Hauer, Fargione & Love,
952-544-5501
Rachel Hable, First American Title
Insurance Company, 612/ 305-2018
The Diversity Committee shall
coordinate MWL’s annual diversity event and other programs as appropriate. The
Committee shall also consider how MWL can increase its diversity in all areas
and work with the Board of Directors and Committees on implementation. The
Committee shall maintain relationships with other minority bar groups.
Recent Committee Activities:
• Meetings with other minority bar organizations in effort to better support and
partner with one another.
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Judicial Appointments
Co-Chairs:
Liz Kramer, Leonard, Street and
Deinard, P.A., 612/335-1927
Erica MacDonald, US Attorney's
Office, 612/664-5620
The
Judicial Appointments Committee shall screen candidates for judicial vacancies
and “find qualified” those candidates who meet MWL’s criteria. The Committee
shall also encourage more women applicants to seek judicial appointment through
seminars and various publicity measures. The Committee shall operate in
accordance with the policies, guidelines, and procedures adopted by the Board of
Directors.
Recent Committee Activities:
• Ongoing candidate screenings
• “You Can Be A Judge” seminar
• Development of judicial district liaison representatives
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the Top
Judicial Elections
Co-Chairs:
Helen Brosnahan, Dakota
County Attorney’s
Office, 651/438-4459
DeAnne Dulas, Strandemo, Sheridan & Dulas,
651/686-8800
The Judicial Elections Committee shall inform
judicial candidates in contested elections of MWL’s screening process. The
Committee shall also screen candidates and “find qualified” those candidates
that meet MWL’s criteria.. The Committee shall operate in accordance with the
policies, guidelines, and procedures adopted by the Board of Directors.
Recent Committee Activities:
• 2006 judicial elections
• Preparation for 2008 elections
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Leadership
Co-Chairs:
Barbara Klas, College of St. Catherine,
651/ 690-6580
Christine Middleton, Lindquist &
Vennum, 612/371-3211
Therese Pautz, NeuVest,
952/841-6360
The Leadership Committee
shall coordinate events and programs that promote leadership development
opportunities for MWL’s membership. The Leadership Committee shall also
coordinate the “Whole Life in the Law” Social Series.
Recent Committee Activities:
• Rosalie Wahl Leadership Lecture
• Leadership Luncheons
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Member Services
Co-Chairs:
Michelle Grant Dorsey & Whitney
LLP, 612/ 340-5671
Amy Taber, Faegre & Benson, 612/766-8485
Katie Weiss, Robert Half Legal,
612/349-2810
The Member
Services Committee shall create the means by which MWL’s leadership and
membership can provide feedback regarding the goals, activities, and services of
the association. The Committee shall also identify opportunities for program and
member service development and work in conjunction with other MWL committees to
implement such programs
Recent Committee Activities:
• Member receptions at Vincent and The Local
• Coordinate greeters at major MWL events
• Assist in coordinating MWL Roadshows
• General oversight of solo and small practice group; professional parents group
• Ongoing development of MWL evaluation tools / surveys
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Professional
Development
Co-Chairs:
Karen Opp, Lominger International,952/345-3681
Cindy Eidnes, Attorney at Law,
612/290-4221
Kate Westad, Lommen Abdo,612/339-8131
Karen Reierson, Starkey
Laboratories, Inc., 952/ 947-4964
The Professional Development Committee shall
address issues related to the professional development of women lawyers,
including career planning, job placement and changes, client development and
skills enhancement.
Recent Committee Activities:
• Seminar: "When a Crisis Calls: How to Handle the Media" presented by Amy
Rotenberg of Rotenberg Associates
• “Backpack to Briefcase” seminar for law students, co-sponsored by NAWL
• “Take Charge of Your Career: Best Practices for Women Attorneys” seminar,
co-sponsored by NAWL
• Spring wine tasting /networking event
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Program
Co-Chairs:
Linda Byrne, Crawford Maunu,
651/686-6633
Kristin Haugen, Briggs and Morgan,
612/977-8474
Brooke Swenson, Briggs and Morgan, 651/
977-8855
The Program Committee shall be responsible for planning and coordination of
MWL’s major annual events.
Recent Committee Activities:
• Holiday Benefit
• Joint Dinner of Professional Women’s Associations
• Annual Meeting
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Publications
Co-Chairs:
Molly Borg, Briggs and Morgan,
612/977-8726
Kari Hainey, Halleland Lewis Nilan &
Johnson, 612/ 573-2972
J. Alison Morris, National Arbitration
Forum, 952/ 516-6450
The Publications Committee shall
be responsible for publishing MWL’s quarterly journal, With Equal Right.
Responsibilities shall include: developing a theme for each issue; soliciting
authors for each issue; editing each issue; and serving as a liaison between
MWL, the designer and the printer.
Recent Committee Activities:
• With Equal Right
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Public Policy Advocacy
Co-Chairs:
M. Susan Burns, Attorney at Law,
612/336-7710
Stacy Bettison, Rotenberg
Associates, 612/336-7703
The Public Policy Advocacy
Committee shall facilitate public policy advocacy activities by making
recommendations to the Board on issues that MWL should advocate and provides the
implementation steps for those activities. Activities may include facilitating
legislative tracking on selected issues and providing testimony at hearings,
identifying cases for which MWL should submit amicus briefs and facilitating
preparation of those briefs. In addition, the committee shall monitor and
assigns issues to MWL members for drafting letters to the editor, etc.
Recent Committee Activities:
• Newly formed committee . . .
• Policy taskforce created recommendations for board consideration
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Student to Attorney Mentor Program
Co-Chairs:
Elisa Hatlevig Jardine, Logan &
O'Brien, P.L.L.P., 651/ 290-6514
Venora Hung, University of Minnesota
School of Law
Niki Kinn, Hamline University School of Law
Andrea Pavelka, University of St.
Thomas School of Law, 612/669-2128
The Student to
Attorney Mentor Program shall administer a mentor program for attorneys and law
students. The Committee shall also establish and maintain a working relationship
with the career development / placement offices and women students'
organizations at each of the Minnesota law schools to aid in committee goals.
Recent Committee Activities:
• Coordinated 70+ student and attorney mentor matches
• Mentor receptions for matched pairs
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Technology
Co-Chair:
Stacy Doepner-Hove, University of
Minnesota Law
School,
612/625-0718
The
Technology Committee shall further MWL’s mission through the use of technology
and shall advance the goals and objectives of MWL and its committees through
enhanced technical services and support.
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Voter Outreach
& Education
Co-Chairs:
Karen Cole, Attorney at Law,
651/222-6938
Lindsey Brice, Dakota Tribal Court,
612/522-3046
Elizabeth Kragness, Tenth
Judicial District, 612/805-9734
The Voter Outreach & Education
Committee shall educate the public about the qualities MWL believes voters
should look for in electing judges; about the importance of judicial
independence; and about the judicial candidates MWL has “found qualified” in
contested judicial elections.
Recent Committee Activities:
• Promotion of 2006 judicial candidates found qualified
• Ongoing PR efforts and events focused on judicial independence
• Ongoing fundraising efforts
• “Judicial Elections: the Changing Landscape” seminar
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