The Minnesota State Bar Association has now been back up and running for about two years. But moving forward post Covid does not mean returning to pre-Covid. Most MSBA meetings, CLEs and events were held in person, although some included the option of calling in to attend by telephone. Live web meetings had just begun and the MSBA began to use Zoom on a sporadic basis.
The use of Zoom and Microsoft Teams to webstream meetings, CLESs, and events has become the norm. Our members can participate according to their schedules. It also affects the way in which our members maintain and establish professional relationships.
The modes of meeting participation are likely to evolve over time. Currently, they fall into three general categories:
- Events that are completely in-person:Our networking and social events, such as the MSBA Convention benefit from a focus on being in person.
- Hybrid Events:Members can attend all Assembly meetings in person (except the annual convention), and most board of Governor meetings. They may also attend some section, committee and CLE meetings.
- Online Events:Most board, section and committee meetings, as well as most CLEs, are held entirely through Zoom or Microsoft Teams. This is especially true during winter.
Why we meet, not how or when we meet, is what matters. The MSBA brings Minnesota lawyers together to teach, learn, face challenges, and navigate the changing times. MSBA members use their collective experience and voices to continue to promote justice, equality and professionalism at the legislative, court and marketplace levels.
The MSBA recently commissioned a 12-member Task Force to investigate and make recommendations about ChatGPT and Unauthorized Practice of Law (UPL). The task force is composed of leading experts in technology, intellectual properties, and law. ChatGPT, and similar advanced AI models, have the potential to disrupt the legal landscape. To be on the front end of this technological breakthrough–examining its varied future applications to the legal profession, access to justice, and the courts–is where the MSBA is contributing best.
We also provide opportunities for lawyers to develop their practice through our 40 sections, numerous task forces and committees. You can submit your name to the MSBA’s elections and appointment committee when seats become available on the MSBA Board of Governors, the Officer Track, or other law-related organizations and boards. Consider volunteering at the high school mock trials. Each year, 700 judges and attorneys are needed as competition judges for the program. You can make a positive impact no matter where you are connected. As we continue, I hope to meet you either in person or on the web.
The post Post-Covid MSBA: Championing Justice & Equality in the Law first appeared on Attorney at Law Magazine.