Minnesota Lawyer Blog

On Aug. 13, 1849, Minnesota Territory's first court session was held in Stillwater. And according to the Minnesota Historical Society's Book of Days, only one man on the jury wore boots — everyone else had moccasins.

Just look at how far we've come. Nobody wears moccasins anymore... we report for jury duty in flip-flops!

If you'd like to learn more about Minnesota Territory, check out the historical society's online exhibit here, or better yet, go see it in person.

The Minnesota Supreme Court Historical Society (at least that's the working title of the group) had its second meeting yesterday at the Minnesota Judicial Center. One of the points addressed by attendees was whether to adopt the historical society name.

St. Louis Park attorney Kate MacKinnon commented that the word "society" made the group sound like a “club for fusty old men."

Justice Sam Hanson -- who, along with Justice Paul Anderson has been a driving force of the initiative -- drew laughs when he quipped that he took exception to the “fusty old man” reference.

One of the early projects that will be tackled by the fledgling society(?) will be to write memorials for all the deceased Supreme Court justices for whom no memorial was published. (Minnesota Reports stopped publishing memorials in 1977, so memorials are missing for justices who have died since then. In addition, memorials are missing for some early justices. In all, 24 memorials need to be written.)

If you are interested in judicial history and want to pitch in by researching and writing a memorial, you can contact MacKinnon at (952) 915-9215.

The Minnesota Supreme Court yesterday moved one step closer to having its own historical society. A group of lawyers, judges and others interested in the project voted unanimously in favor of proceeding with a society at a meeting held in a packed Room 23o at the Minnesota Judicial Center.

"I think we could be on the edge of something kind of special," said Justice Paul Anderson, who, along with Justice Sam Hanson, is one of the chief organizers of the project.

The group will meet again in September to consider the society's mission, structure, funding sources and potential publications and other products.

For more details from the meeting, check out Monday's Minnesota Lawyer.

As Minnesota prepares to celebrate its 150th anniversary next year, the courts are considering getting in the action with the establishment of the first-ever Minnesota Supreme Court Historical Society.

More than 20 states already have such a society, which serves as a repository for the history of their high courts. One project already under way by proponents of a Minnesota society is the collection and publication of materials on deceased justices of the court.

"The opportunities [for establishing such a society] are great because of the synergy with the state's Sesquicentennial celebration," wrote Minnesota Supreme Court Justices Paul Anderson and Sam Hanson in a letter on the project.

An exploratory meeting of persons interested in the idea of establishing a Minnesota Supreme Court Historical Society has been slated for Aug. 8 at 2:00 p.m. in Room 230 of the Judicial Center. Those interesed in attending should contact Lynn Magee at (651) 297-7676.