Present:
Judge John T. Paulson, Chair
Judge James M. Bekken
Judge Gail Hagerty
Justice Carol Ronning Kapsner
Absent:
Judge Bruce Romanick
Justice Mary Muehlen Maring
Guest:
Christine Hogan
Staff:
Ted Gladden, Executive Secretary
It was moved and seconded to approve the minutes of the August 13, 2003 minutes as distributed. Motion carried.
Chair John Paulson discussed appointments to a number of committees. He indicated that Judges Dawson and Rustad agreed to serve on the Jury Standards Committee. Judge Holte has agreed to continue serving on the Jury Standards Committee. Judges Simonson and Webb have agreed to reappointments to the Pattern Jury Instruction Commission. It was moved and seconded to approve the slate of appointees to the various committees. Motion carried.
Ted Gladden then discussed the status of the request for a visiting judge from Cameroon, Africa, to attend the June Judicial Conference. He stated that he had visited with the relative of the judge from Cameroon indicating that it might be more productive to attend functions sponsored by the Minnesota judiciary. He referred the individual to representatives in the Minnesota judiciary stating that if she was still interested in pursuing his attendance at the Judicial Conference, to please contact him. Judge Hagerty stated that she felt it was the consensus to invite the federal judiciary to the June Judicial Conference meeting. In response to a question regarding the magistrates, bankruptcy judge, and senior federal district judges, there was an agreement that they should also be extended invitations.
Christine Hogan then spoke about the 2004 State Bar Convention that will be held June 8 through 11, 2004, at the Ramada Plaza Suites in Fargo. She indicated that the participation of judges is critical in making this a successful convention. They have expended substantial resources in assuring a good slate of speakers for the conference, and they are very hopeful that they will have a very good turnout for this year’s program. She indicated that the rates for the judicial participants would be raised from $245 to $260. She then reviewed the agenda with the Executive Committee. The Wednesday program will be a constitutional symposium on death penalty cases and then activities in the afternoon. Thursday will be devoted to sessions on negotiation skills and Friday will be on ethics and a presentation by Dennis Archer, President of the American Bar Association. After discussion, it was concluded that the only Judicial Conference function would be the breakfast meeting. There was consensus that all business for the Judicial Conference could be conducted during the breakfast meeting allowing the judges to participate fully in the Bar agenda.
Staff was directed to reserve rooms at facilities immediately adjacent to the Ramada Plaza Suites that will honor the state rate for those not wishing to pay the extra to stay at the Ramada Plaza Suites.
There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned.