State Constitutional Law
Originally Recorded: October 21, 2025
Description:
State constitutions are an important source of individual rights and structural protections. They also present unique interpretative challenges. For example, the Minnesota Supreme Court can interpret the Minnesota Constitution to be more protective of individual rights than the U.S. Constitution. But when should the Minnesota Supreme Court do so? The Minnesota Constitution also has many provisions with no federal counterpart—and a much less robust historical record.
In this CLE, a leading academic, as well as civil and criminal practitioners, will discuss trends in state constitutional law and how lawyers can present their strongest state constitutional case. The academic and practitioner panel will be followed by a moderated discussion with two Minnesota Supreme Court justices about state constitutional interpretation.
Speakers:
- Liz Kramer, Solicitor General, Office of the Minnesota Attorney General
- Amy Lawler, Assistant State Public Defender, Office of Appellate Public Defender
- Professor Miriam Seifter, University of Wisconsin-Madison Law School
- Associate Justice Karl Procaccini, Minnesota Supreme Court
- Associate Justice Theodora Gaitas, Minnesota Supreme Court
- Pete Farrell, Deputy Solicitor General, Office of the Minnesota Attorney General.
INFORMATION:
On-Demand Event Code No: 539049
Code Expires: 11/7/2027
Total CLE Credits Approved:
2 Standard CLE credits
QUESTIONS:
Questions relating to CLE Content can be directed to marty.casserly@ag.state.mn.us or cle@ag.state.mn.us
Materials
Participant Sign-In
After watching the CLE, please fill out the Participant Sign-In form. Minnesota State CLE Board Rule 5A(7) requires the course sponsor to maintain a list of all participants following presentation of the CLE course.
