MARK YOUR CALENDARS FOR THE 9TH ANNUAL MLBA CONFERENCE!
January 30th, 8:30 a.m. until 4:30 p.m.
The Minnesota Lavender Bar Association is excited to announce the keynote speaker for the 9th Annual MLBA Conference:
Kevin Cathcart, Executive Director of Lambda Legal.

Kevin M. Cathcart has been the Executive Director of Lambda Legal since 1992 and has achieved national recognition as a leader and spokesperson promoting civil rights for lesbians, gay men, bisexuals, transgender people and people with HIV. Under Cathcart's leadership, he has made Lambda Legal an unparalleled national force through its far-reaching litigation and public education.

Mr. Cathcart will speak during our morning plenary session on federal GLBT legal issues such as the Matthew Shepard Hate Crimes Bill and the pending Employment Non-Discrimination Act (ENDA). The Conference will also feature three (3) tracks for break-out sessions offering nine topics on legal issues such as GLBT Tax, Immigration, Marketing, Trial skills and Don't Ask, Don't Tell (DADT) just to name a few.

Meet and reconnect with colleagues and others committed to assisting the GLBT community during our networking luncheon. Learn about current trends in GLBT public policy during the final Plenary of the day which will feature representatives from Project 515, MN AIDS Project and Outfront Minnesota.

Conference Registration and Membership Renewal:
Register now for a unique and inexpensive way to earn CLEs! This year, MLBA is offering a convenient online method for Conference registration through Brown Paper Ticket. Please visit http://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/89108 for more information and to purchase your conference ticket and/or renew your MLBA membership. Take advantage of the 9th Annual MLBA Conference and Membership renewal package and save money on your membership fee!

We look forward to seeing you at the 9th Annual MLBA Conference which will be held on January 30th from 8:30 a.m. until 4:30 p.m. at William Mitchell College of Law.

MLBA Tax Law Happy Hour a Success!
MLBA members that specialize in tax law gathered for happy hour after the first day of this year's annual Tax Institute. Members’ areas of practice ranged from international tax planning, government in-house counsel, to individual tax and bankruptcy representation. Members also discussed the progress of GLBT-identified attorneys in Minnesota and plans for the tax break-out session at this year’s Annual MLBA Conference (formerly known as Regional Lavender Law). A good time was had by all!

National LGBT Bar Association Seeks Candidates for At-Large Members of the Board of Directors, Applications  Due December 14!
The National LGBT Bar Association is accepting statements of interest from individuals who wish to join the Board of Directors to serve as At-Large Members. At-Large Members would serve a two-year term beginning February 2010 and ending in February 2012.

The National LGBT Bar Association is an association of lawyers, judges and other legal professionals, law students, advocates, and affiliated LGBT legal and law student organizations. The mission of the LGBT Bar is to promote justice in and through the legal profession for the LGBT community in all its diversity.

Candidate Requirements:
Individuals must be members in good standing of the National LGBT Bar Association in order to be considered for the position. Individuals must fill out and submit the Board Applicant Questionnaire by 5:00 p.m. PST December 14, 2009. Statements should include the individual’s contact information, their history with nonprofit boards, and their interest in serving the members of the Association. All applicant information must be submitted to nominations@nlgla.org. Please note: Only candidates with extensive experience serving on boards of directors will be considered. The ideal candidate will be able to devote up to three hours per week to participate in LGBT Bar board conference calls and related work.

Additional information regarding the LGBT Bar Association can be found at www.lgbtbar.org

CAREER OPPORTUNITIES

Federal Defender Mentor Program Seeks New Attorneys
Approximately two years ago, in conjunction with the U.S. District Court, the Office of the Federal Defender began a formal mentor program. The program is designed to provide training and case mentoring to attorneys who lack substantial experience in federal court but have the ability to develop into skilled federal practitioners. This is an excellent opportunity for anyone interested in federal criminal practice. This program benefits individual attorneys, as well as training additional experienced federal practitioners for the Criminal Justice Act Conflicts Panel. The U.S. District Court provides full funding for this program and it is administered by the Office of the Federal Defender.

Over the course of approximately eighteen months, the mentees participate as second chair counsel in three cases. They are mentored by some of the best federal criminal defense practitioners in Minnesota. They also receive specialized federal court training throughout the program.

The next class of mentees will be chosen this month. The class size will be approximately 8 attorneys. If you are interested in being considered for this program, please contact Robert Richman, Program Coordinator at 612-664-5858 on or before Monday, DECEMBER 14, 2009.

William Mitchell College of Law Seeks Two Staff Attorneys
William Mitchell College of Law, is seeking to fill two staff attorney positions in the Public Healthy law Center. Those who have diverse backgrounds are encouraged to apply. To apply please send cover letter and resume, writing sample, and references by mail to Human Resources, William Mitchell College of Law, 875 Summit Avenue, St. Paul, MN 55105; by fax to (651) 290-8645; or by e-mail to hr@wmitchell.edu. Members of under-represented groups are encouraged to apply. AA/EOE.

Civil Trial Attorneys and Criminal Prosecutors
The Department of Justice Tax Division is currently taking applications for Civil Trial Attorneys and Criminal Prosecutors.

The Tax Division is committed to ensuring equal opportunity, to increasing the diversity of our workforce, and to creating an inclusive environment where every employee can develop their professional potential to the fullest extent possible. We believe that diversity adds value to the Division by attracting the most talented litigators possible, by developing a workforce with a vast array of talents and views and experiences, and finally, by enhancing our ability to represent and serve our country. In this regard, we are increasing our efforts to recruit and retain a diverse team of lawyers and staff, and to advance their careers and fulfill their professional and leadership potentials.

The job announcements for these positions may be viewed at http://www.justice.gov/oarm/jobs/civiltaxattorneysvacan2.htm (civil) and http://www.justice.gov/oarm/jobs/criminaltaxattorneysvacan.htm (criminal). Please feel free to contact a member of our Diversity Committee at Tax.Diversity@usdoj.gov should you have any questions or suggestions with respect to our diversity efforts. More information about the Tax Division is available at http://www.justice.gov/tax.

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Job Opportunities posted
on MLBA website

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