2025 Minnesota City Attorneys Legislative Update Materials

Maleah Otterson, Assistant City Attorney, City of Minneapolis

Review of criminal law highlights from the legislative session and important statutory changes helpful for prosecutors and city attorneys. Hear about insights from the session and predictions for future legislative sessions.

Materials:

Presentation slides for Criminal Law Update (pdf)

Sophie Leininger, government relations director, Minnesota Office of Cannabis Management; Kirsten Libby, attorney, Libby Law Office; Merone Melekin, outreach director, Minnesota Office of Cannabis Management; Kevin Morelli, cannabis & liquor operations manager, City of Anoka; Kyle Hartnett, assistant research manager, League of Minnesota Cities (Moderator)

With the opening of cannabis businesses beginning in Minnesota, OCM will provide an update on where things stand and the role of local governments.  In addition to private businesses starting cannabis operations, more than a dozen cities in Minnesota applied for a license to operate their own municipal dispensary.  A representative from one of those cities will provide an overview on the city’s decision to move forward with municipal cannabis operations.

Materials:

Presentation slides for Cannabis in Minnesota (pdf)

Tori Kee, Attorney & Intergovernmental Relations Representative, League of Minnesota Cities; Pierre Willette, Senior Intergovernmental Relations Representative, League of Minnesota Cities

Recap highlights from the 2025 legislative session with representatives from the League of Minnesota Cities Intergovernmental Relations team. Hear what happened, what didn’t, and its impact.

Materials:

Presentation slides for Civil Law Update (pdf)

Lindsey E. Middlecamp, Special Counsel; Brian Carter, Special Counsel; Minnesota Attorney General’s Office

Since taking office in January, the Trump Administration has attempted to put in motion significant changes to federal government operations through executive orders and federal agency actions. Presenters from the Minnesota Attorney General’s Office will provide an overview of the most significant legal issues affecting state and local governments arising from recent federal action and will discuss their litigation and policy strategies developed in response to those actions.

Materials:

Presentation slides for Executive Orders and Federal Agency Actions (pdf)

Paul Merwin, MAP Attorney, League of Minnesota Cities

Hear about the most important state and federal court decisions impacting Minnesota’s cities. The discussion will review the cases as well as what practical impact the decisions will have, or are already having, on cities across the state.

Materials:

• Presentation slides for Judicial Update (pdf)
• Judicial Update Handout (pdf)

Jerry Organ, Bakken Professor of Law and Co-director, Holloran Center for Ethical Leadership in the Professions, University of St. Thomas School of Law

Charles J. Ramstad, attorney, Ramstad, Skoyles, Winters & Bakken, P.A.

James Thomson, attorney, Kennedy & Graven Chartered; Patricia Beety, general counsel, League of Minnesota Cities (Moderator)

Being a city’s legal counsel requires providing non-partisan guidance while instilling confidence and trust in delivering it. Local governing boards in Minnesota have historically stayed away from blatant political agendas, but the expanse of social media and divisive politics are creating new pressures when working with these public clients. This session will address the ethical responsibilities of city attorneys under the Minnesota Rules of Professional Conduct, with a focus on upholding the rule of law while serving a local government client.  Seasoned city attorneys and an ethics expert will guide the discussion emphasizing practical strategies for maintaining professional integrity, promoting lawful governance, and supporting public trust—without becoming entangled in political dynamics.

1 Ethics Credit

Presentation slides for Navigating Political Pressures (pdf)