MINNESOTA STATE BAR ASSOCIATION ISSUES REPORT CALLING FOR LEGAL REFORMS TO HELP SAME-SEX COUPLES

For Immediate Release: June 26, 2009

(Minneapolis) – The Minnesota Lavender Bar Association (MLBA), an organization of attorneys, law students, and other legal professionals working to assure that Minnesota is a community where legal professionals can thrive regardless of sexual orientation, gender identity, or HIV status, praised today’s action by the Minnesota State Bar Association (MSBA) issuing an executive summary of a report that identifies dozens of potential changes in Minnesota law to help same-sex couples. The suggested changes, which will now be referred to appropriate MSBA sections and committees for formal endorsement and further action, would affect areas including family, probate, tax, employment, and other aspects of the law.

“This report builds on previous efforts to identify legal barriers same-sex couples face, by highlighting priority areas for change,” said David E. Ahlvers, MLBA Board of Directors and Co-Chair of MSBA’s Task Force on the Rights of Unmarried Couples. “It’s a significant roadmap to one approach for statutory reform in the coming years.”

The report from the MSBA’s Task Force on the Rights of Unmarried Couples is premised on the assessment that the Minnesota legislature will not approve marriage or civil unions for same-sex couples in the short term. The report outlines many areas where discrete reforms could be accomplished which would benefit these couples and their families in the meantime. But, according to language the MSBA affirmatively approved today, “The changes proposed … will not effectuate comprehensive equality for unmarried couples, and should not be seen as a sufficient alternative to a comprehensive solution.” Rather, they are short-term improvements the State should consider “while moving toward a viable long-term solution to the problem of wholesale exclusion of same-sex couples from the protection of our legal system.”

Today’s action brings the MSBA closer than ever to endorsing the concept of marriage equality: “The deprivation of access to marriage these couples experience works real harm. … This absolute exclusion fosters a state approved, second class citizenship, and casts same-sex couples into a legal void,” today’s approved language states. “[T]he impact of the disparate treatment is far reaching and detrimental to couples who are not afforded the opportunity to seek the legal protections and obligations of marriage … .”

“The MSBA is clearly moving in the right direction on GLBT issues, including relationship recognition,” says MLBA co-chair Melissa Houghtaling. “We salute the MSBA’s progress, while recommitting ourselves to our years-long work of continuing and expanding the dialog in the legal community about issues our community faces.”

MLBA is a recognized affiliate of the MSBA and of the National LGBT Bar Association.

Introducing “The Collaboration Project”

Last fall, at the invitation of the Diversity Committee of Minnesota Women Lawyers, representatives from a number of Minnesota minority (or affinity) bar associations began meeting to discuss the possibility of working together on selected community service projects.  These discussions resulted in the creation of a new intersectional organization:  The Collaboration Project of the Minnesota Minority Bar Associations, or “TCP” for short.

For its inaugural project, TCP joined forces with the Advancement Via Individual Achievement (AVID) in St. Paul public schools. With tremendous help from the Honorable Edward Toussaint, Jr., Chief Judge of the Minnesota State Court of Appeals, TCP hosted thirty students for a day at the Minnesota Judicial Center in St. Paul. Activities included a board room discussion focused directly on career questions (e.g. how and why would you want to become a lawyer) and an interactive, whirlwind tour of contract and intellectual property rights, particularly as they pertain to downloading hot new movies such as “X-Men Origins: Wolverine.” Students also enjoyed a tour of the courthouse, including Chief Judge Toussaint’s chambers, and lunch with various judges, law clerks, and judicial staff members.

Thank you to MLBA members, including Jill Gaulding, Jerry Burg, Rebecca Lucero, and Jenny Ryan, who volunteered their time spearheading, organizing, presenting at, and volunteering for this event.

Call for TCP volunteers

The Collaboration Project is continuing its efforts and is in need of volunteers to follow-up with students who participated in our AVID event (described above) by presenting in high school classrooms in the fall. Also, TCP plans on designing new service projects for 2009-2010. If you are interested in either of these volunteer opportunities, please contact Jenny Ryan (651-216-0157 or jennyryan@gmail.com).

ANNOUNCING THE NEW ONLINE MEMBER DIRECTORY FOR MLBA MEMBERS

MLBA is excited to offer its members an opportunity to be part of the new online member directory! This online member list is being offered as a networking tool and informational resource for MLBA members. It will list the member’s name, his or her firm, the primary areas of practice and contact information. Please note that the online membership directory is in not a lawyer referral service. This directory is being offered as an informational resource for MLBA members. For current members, please complete the application for listing online. Applications and any inquiries regarding the directory should be sent to Julie Plumitis at Julie.plumitis@gmail.com

MLBA on Facebook!

Want instant up to date information on what MLBA is up to, who our Fans are and network on the web? Become a Fan of the MLBA on Facebook! Click here to be taken to the MLBA Facebook Page

Pride wrap-up: thank you, thank you to all of our volunteers!

MLBA had a wonderful time at Twin Cities Pride this year. Thank you to all of our fabulous volunteers who organized our get together at the Walker Art Center, staffed our festival booth, and walked in the parade. One member commented that our event at the Walker is our best social gathering of the year. We handed out over 1,000 “business” cards describing MLBA member benefits and our contact information. We said hello to local leaders, including Attorney General Swanson and Judge Jeanne Graham. Attorneys stopped by to talk about the successes of the MSBA Unmarried Couples Task Force. One attorney with over 30 years of experience said he would join immediately, while recent grads studying for the bar exam took a study break and enjoyed what was repeatedly touted as “the best candy in the park.”

William Mitchell College of Law seeks Career Office staff

The Career and Professional Development Office is looking for two people with J.D.s and strong connections to the legal community to fill part-time Assistant Director positions. One of the positions is a .5 full time equivalent (FTE), the other is a .75 FTE. Both will work during the calendar school year to help the college:

-- cultivate and develop relationships with employers throughout the Upper Midwest,
-- provide career counseling and coaching to students and alumni, and
-- design and lead career and professional development programs.

More information about these positions and their qualificationshttp://www.wmitchell.edu/services/hr/employment-jobs.asp

Applications are being considered until the positions are filled, but for best consideration applications should be submitted by Tuesday, July 14, 2009.

LARKIN HOFFMAN Corporate/Tax Attorney

LARKIN HOFFMAN is looking for a qualified candidate to help continue the expansion of our successful Corporate/Tax practice.

The ideal candidate will have a mix of corporate and tax experience and will have a book of business of at least $300,000 annually. We are looking for a candidate who has at least ten years of experience dealing with various corporate and tax issues who can continue to build his or her own practice while acting in a support role for existing clients of the Firm. The preferred candidate will have experience in a wide range of areas including choice of entity, entity structure, sales and use tax, tax dispute and various corporate tax experience. Must have exceptional drafting skills, initiative, and superior communication skills.

If you believe your business might align well with our practice, consider our firm for a lateral move. Larkin Hoffman was established more than 50 years ago. We have an open book policy in regard to financial reporting and a track record of aggressively promoting our people. At Larkin Hoffman, we are dedicated to enabling our attorneys to fulfill their professional, personal and financial objectives. Compensation and benefits are highly competitive.

Larkin Hoffman is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Any candidate for employment may obtain a copy of our firm’s Affirmative Action Plan by contacting Human Resources.

Candidates should submit their resumes in confidence to Recruiting Partner, Larkin Hoffman Daly& Lindgren Ltd., 1500 Wells Fargo Plaza, 7900 Xerxes Avenue South, Bloomington, Minnesota 55431 or hr@larkinhoffman.com

Position available: Equity and Affirmative Action Officer

Salary: Competitive salary and benefits, including relocation allowance.

Date of appointment: Negotiable

Responsibilities:
Reporting to the University President, the Equity and Affirmative Action Officer is responsible for writing, managing and implementing the University’s affirmative action plan, monitoring goals under the plan, reporting data to the University community and working with other officials charged with implementing personnel employment policies and determining whether allegations rise to the level of discrimination, and performing or overseeing internal investigations. The successful applicant will be requested to review Task Force recommendations and organize an advocacy advisory committee as recommended.  In addition, the Equity and Affirmative Action Officer:

* Monitors compliance with agreements, settlements, resolutions and the like, when the issue involves discrimination or harassment;

* Uses mediation and informal resolution skills;

* Acts as chief diversity officer with respect to this work on diversity matters with MnSCU;

* Works collaboratively with individuals, offices and groups on campus addressing equity and diversity for students, faculty and staff, coordinate and deliver diversity initiatives, training, and informational programs for St. Cloud State University constituencies;

* Works with search  committees and others in achieving compliance with proper affirmative action processes, procedures and hiring practices;

* Updates and insures compliance with SCSU hiring policies and procedures;

* Oversees technical employment compliance and appropriate process and control of documentation during the hiring process;

* Assists all hiring officials, search committees and departments in the development of search and hiring strategies designed to encourage an inclusive workforce and equal employment opportunity.

In view of the University’s appreciation for cultural diversity and commitment to a climate of inclusiveness, the Equity and Affirmative Action Officer will lead the development, implementation, maintenance and sponsorship of training and informational programs related to promoting diversity and eliminating discrimination on the basis of race, sex, color, creed, religion, age, national origin, marital status, disability, status with regard to public assistance, sexual orientation, gender identity expression, or membership or activity in a local commission.  

Qualifications and experience:

Required:
* Masters in a related field or J.D. degree with a minimum of 5 years administering relevant programs and services in higher education or the public sector, with progressively broad affirmative action/diversity responsibility.

* Experience communicating with federal and state compliance agencies; in-depth understanding of general employment practices in higher education settings, with substantial union and diverse constituency representation, as well as familiarity with relevant regulator statutes.

* Knowledge of current equal employment opportunity and affirmative action laws, regulations, personnel policies, procedures and trends, including but not limited to Title VII, Title IX, Civil Rights Act of 1964 as amended, FMLA, ADA and FLSA.

Preferred:
* J.D. or Ph.D. in a related field

* Experience in higher education

* Experience with internal investigation of discrimination and harassment complaints

* Demonstrated ability to work with persons from culturally diverse backgrounds

Apply to:
Search Committee Chair
Equity and Affirmative Action Officer Search
St. Cloud State University
720 Fourth Avenue South, AS208
St. Cloud MN 56301-4498
Phone (320) 308-5123; Fax (320) 308-6600
Email: affirmativeaction@stcloudstate.edu

Application information and deadline:
Submit a cover letter addressing how you meet the requirements of this position, resume, copy of transcripts (official transcripts will be required of finalist), references. Screening begins July 6, 2009 and will continue until position is filled. Successful applicants must show proof of eligibility to work in the U.S. St. Cloud State University website: www.stcloudstate.edu

Notice: Employee’s motor vehicle records are checked annually.

SCSU is committed to excellence and actively supports cultural diversity. To promote this endeavor, we invite individuals who contribute to such diversity to apply, including minorities, women, GLBT, persons with disabilities and veterans. SCSU is a member of Minnesota State Colleges and Universities System.
Notice of Vacancy

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MLBA receives a number of notices from employers seeking candidates for open positions. We try to post these on our web site regularly, and in fact have now created a specific page dedicated to sharing these opportunities.
Please click here for more information. http://www.mnlavbar.org/Employment.htm