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• Beyond the Power of Attorney & Health Care Directive: When Guardianship and Conservatorship Step In

  • When
    May 13, 2026
  •  
    12:00 PM - 1:00 PM
  • Location
    Remote Attendance via Zoom

  Register

  Topic: Beyond the Power of Attorney & Health Care Directive: When Guardianship and Conservatorship Step In

  When an individual can no longer manage their own personal care or finances, and their estate plan fails or there is none, Minnesota law offers a structured path to protect them through guardianship and conservatorship—two distinct but complementary court-supervised arrangements governed by Chapter 524 of the Minnesota Statutes. This legal education course will offer you the basics of guardianship/conservatorship and provide you the tools you need to know to support the attorneys and clients you work with.

  Speaker: Jessica Timmington Lindstrom, Esq.

  Jessica Timmington Lindstrom is a shareholder at Winthrop & Weinstine, P.A. with a practice dedicated in elder law, estate planning, trust and estate administration, special needs, and fiduciary litigation. She graduated from Hamline Law School as a weekend law student in 2013 and has been practicing in the elder law space her entire career. Jessica is the current acting president of the Minnesota Association for Guardianship and Conservatorship, a position she has held since 2024. Jessica has been named a “Super Lawyer – Rising Star” in 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025, and 2026. She has also been named, in 2026, as a Top Lawyer by Minnesota Monthly. Jessica is active in both the MSBA Elder Law Section and the MSBA Trust/Estate Litigation Committee, and the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys. She is a regular speaker at Minnesota CLE. When not working she enjoys spending time with her family, showing her horses, and tending to her small zoo in her small St. Paul home.

  Remote attendance only.
  

  • Member Cost: Free
  • Non-Member Cost: $15

  CLE credit has been applied for this session.

  Please RSVP by May 12, 2026.

  Sponsored by: Probate & Tax Sectional

  If you have any questions or concerns, please contact Andrea MacLean at Andrea.MacLean@bravlaw.com.

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• 2026 MPA Annual Convention

  • When
    May 15, 2026
  •  
    7:30 AM - 4:45 PM
  • Location
    Hamline University (1536 Hewitt Avenue, St. Paul, MN 55104)

  Registration is closed

  

  REGISTRATION IS OPEN

  The Minnesota Paralegal Association’s Annual Convention returns this year on Friday, May 15, 2026! 

  Where:

  Hamline University

  1536 Hewitt Ave, St Paul, MN 55104

  
  

  When: 7:30am - 4:45pm

  What to Expect:

  • CLE Sessions
  • Keynote Speakers
  • Workshops
  • Prizes & Swag
  • Vendors & Exhibitors

  Full schedule and session details, as well as registration options are available to view on the Annual Convention page.

  Early-Bird Registration Deadline: April 17, 2026 (5:00pm)

  Registration Deadline: May 5, 2026

  
  

  Registration Option	Half-Day Price	Full-Day Price
  Member	$75.00  ($67.50)*	$125.00  ($112.50)*
  Non-Member	$100.00  ($90.00)*	$175.00  ($157.50)*
  Student	$50.00  ($45.00)*	$50.00  ($45.00)*

  *EARLY-BIRD SPECIAL: Register by April 17th to receive 10% off your registration fee!

  
  

  Cancellation Policy: Written notice must be received via email or mail by May 1 to receive a 15% refund. Late cancellations received May 2 or after will not be refunded.

  CLE Notice: MPA will be applying for CLE credits through NFPA® for each keynote and breakout session that qualifies. A full day attendee can expect to earn up to 5 CLE credits, including 1 Ethics credit and 2 DEI credit. CLE certificates will be emailed post-event to each person requesting a CLE certificate. To request a CLE certificate, you will need to note down the code words given at the start and end of each presentation, and then submit those code words via the online CLE Request Form after the event.

  Recorded Sessions: Some CLE sessions will be recorded for on-demand purchase post-event. Some CLE sessions will be presented live during the Annual Convention only.
  

  Annual Convention Charity Fundraiser

  In conjunction with the 2026 Annual Convention, Minnesota Paralegal Association has chosen Coco's Heart Dog Rescue as this year's charity fundraiser. Click for more information and to donate!

  
  

  Exhibitors, Sponsors, & Advertisers...

  Thank You For Your Support!

  Whether exhibiting, sponsoring activities, advertising, or donating swag or door prizes, we extend a sincere 'Thank You!' for your continued support of MPA and the paralegal profession.

  Adams & Martin Group

  ALAMN

  ArcherHall

  Arthur Chapman Kettering Smetak & Pikala, P.A.

  ARTRA Customs

  Beacon Hill Legal

  Capitol Lien

  Cloud Court

  Coco's Heart Dog Rescue

  Cogency Global

  CSC

  Datasite

  Expert Paralegal LLC

  Exterro

  Fredrikson & Byron P.A.
  

  Hamline University

  Heimerl & Lammers

  Kinney & Lange, P.A.

  Lawyers Concerned for Lawyers

  Lighthouse eDiscovery

  Magna Legal Services

  MCS Litigation Support
  

  Mitchell Hamline School of Law

  Morae

  NAEGELI Deposition and Trial

  Nicolet Law

  North Hennepin Community College

  Onit, Inc.

  OurFamilyWizard

  Planet Depos

  Pro Legal

  R & D Investigations

  RE/MAX Results

  Robert Half

  Securian Financial

  The Legal Revolution

  Thomson Reuters

  TransPerfect Legal

  Veritext

  Women in eDiscovery

  Worldwide Litigation Services

  
  

  Interested in Exhibiting/Sponsoring/Advertising? Click Here.

  
  

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• MPA Board Meeting

  • When
    May 20, 2026
  •  
    6:30 PM - 7:30 PM
  • Location
    N/A

  MPA Board of Directors Meeting

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• Preparing for Trial: Paralegal Strategies

  • When
    May 22, 2026
  •  
    12:00 PM - 1:00 PM
  • Location
    Remote Attendance via Zoom

  Register

  Topic: Preparing for Trial: Paralegal Strategies

  This practical and litigation-focused presentation provides family law paralegals with the tools, systems, and strategies necessary to effectively prepare a case for trial. From exhibit organization and witness coordination to financial summaries and trial notebook creation, attendees will learn how to streamline trial preparation, anticipate evidentiary challenges, and support attorneys in presenting a clear and persuasive case.

  The session will cover best practices for organizing complex financial documentation, preparing exhibit lists and subpoenas, coordinating courtroom logistics, and creating user-friendly summaries that judges appreciate. Emphasis will be placed on proactive planning, strategic organization, and avoiding common trial pitfalls.

  Ideal for paralegals and legal support professionals involved in trial preparation, this presentation focuses on elevating efficiency, reducing last-minute stress, and strengthening the overall trial presentation.

  Speakers: Jennifer Heinen, Michelle Swenson, and Amanda Bean

  Jennifer Heinen: Jen is an experienced family law paralegal and supports the Henschel Moberg team of attorneys in a variety of needs and situations, including trial preparation and discovery support. She has extensive experience with and understanding of complex dissolution related financial and property issues, as well as custody and parenting time issues. Jen’s attention to detail, keen understanding of difficult legal issues, and eagerness to learn about new areas, make her an asset to any case. Jen also has experience working on International Family law issues. In 2012, Jen received the Distinguished Service Award from the International Academy of Matrimonial Attorneys.

  Michelle Swenson: With over 20 years of experience in family law, she is dedicated to providing clients with compassionate and dependable support. Her role involves assisting attorneys and clients through all phases of family law matters, including marriage dissolution, child custody, paternity, and related issues. She focuses on making challenging processes more manageable by bringing organization and a calm, practical approach to each case.

  As a member of Henson Efron’s family law team, her responsibilities include drafting motions, affidavits, and other pleadings; managing discovery preparation and review; and preparing detailed financial analyses, including income summaries, budgets, and property division spreadsheets. She also assists with mediation preparation, business and asset valuations, and coordination with experts for custody and psychological evaluations. Additionally, she handles trial and appellate preparation, ensuring all aspects of a case are managed thoroughly and efficiently.

  She is passionate about treating clients with respect and providing non-judgmental support throughout their legal journey. By fostering trust and maintaining careful attention to detail, she helps clients feel informed and supported as they navigate significant life transitions.

  Amanda Bean: Amanda is a family, juvenile, and adoption law paralegal with Heimerl and Lammers in Minneapolis, Minnesota, bringing over 20 years of experience in the legal profession. In addition to managing day-to-day tasks, Amanda assists with any ‘fires’ that arise for those in need and always puts her organizational skills to use for the clients and her team. Amanda’s attention to detail, genuine compassion for clients, and extensive knowledge in the legal field are just a few of the qualities that clients routinely compliment her on.

  Amanda enjoys interacting with clients and assisting them through all steps of the legal process. She takes pleasure in being there for clients in their time of need by discussing procedures in plain language and ensuring they know what to expect as their process unfolds. Amanda is involved in all aspects of a case from beginning to end, which allows clients to feel comfortable with her and confident in the guidance she provides.

  Remote attendance only.
  

  • Member Cost: Free
  • Non-Member Cost: $15

  CLE credit has been applied for this session.

  Please RSVP by May 21, 2026.

  Sponsored by: Family Law Sectional

  If you have any questions or concerns, please contact Amanda Bean at amandab@hllawfirm.com.

  Show details
• Pretrial Investigations, Trial Logistics, and Everything in Between Criminal Defense Cases

  • When
    May 27, 2026
  •  
    12:00 PM - 1:00 PM
  • Location
    Remote Attendance via Zoom

  Register

  Topic: Pretrial Investigations, Trial Logistics, and Everything in Between Criminal Defense Cases

  Turn discovery red flags into strong legal arguments and seamless trial preparation. Learn how to conduct targeted legal research based on discovery issues, and translate that research into effective motions, briefs, and pretrial strategies. The session walks through end to end trial prep while tracking issues in real time during hearings and trial. Explore how legal tech and cloud based systems can streamline research, document management, exhibit control, and trial support for more effective advocacy.

  This is part two of a 3-part Criminal Law CLE series.

  

  Speaker: Corrin Swintosky

  

  Corrin Swintosky, a freelance criminal paralegal and owner of Lucid Legal Support, provides freelance paralegal services to solo and small criminal defense firms nationwide. With over 5 years of versatile criminal legal experience in probation, court operations, and public defense, she consults law firms on the best defense theories, trial strategies, and training for criminal defense teams.

  Remote attendance only.

  • Member Cost: Free
  • Non-Member Cost: $15

  CLE credit has been applied for this session.

  Please RSVP by May 26, 2026.

  Sponsored by: Litigation Sectional

  If you have any questions or concerns, please contact Stefanie Lee at Stefanie.L.MPA@gmail.com.

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• Understanding Termination of Parental Rights: A Practical Guide for Family Law Advocates

  • When
    June 08, 2026
  •  
    12:00 PM - 1:00 PM
  • Location
    Remote Attendance via Zoom

  Register

  Topic: Understanding Termination of Parental Rights: A Practical Guide for Family Law Advocates

  This presentation will include an overview of child protection (CHIPS) proceedings and termination of parental rights (TPR) proceedings in Minnesota. Next, the presentation will discuss the differences between juvenile and family court proceedings and their intersection. Finally, the presentation will offer practice tips for family law advocates.

  Speaker: Mallory Stoll

  Mallory K. Stoll is a partner at Blahnik, Prchal & Stoll, PLLC. She devotes her practice to family law and juvenile law. Mallory’s family law practice includes a broad range of areas, namely divorce, legal separation, child custody, parenting time, child support, post-decree, and adoption matters. In juvenile court, Mallory represents parents and relatives in child protection matters, including children in need of protection or services (CHIPS) and termination of parental rights (TPR) proceedings. Mallory previously served as an adjunct professor at Mitchell Hamline School of Law with the Child Protection Clinic, where she supervised and mentored law students in all stages of child protection proceedings.

  Remote attendance only.
  

  • Member Cost: Free
  • Non-Member Cost: $15

  CLE credit has been applied for this session.

  Please RSVP by June 7, 2026.

  Sponsored by: Family Law Sectional

  If you have any questions or concerns, please contact Amanda Bean at amandab@hllawfirm.com.

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• Probate 101

  • When
    June 10, 2026
  •  
    12:00 PM - 1:00 PM
  • Location
    Remote Attendance via Zoom

  Register

  Topic: Probate 101

  This session provides a guide to the probate process, from initial filing to final distribution. We will clarify the legal triggers for probate and compare the procedural requirements of Formal versus Informal proceedings. Attendees will gain an understanding of the Personal Representative’s fiduciary duties, strategies for managing family dynamics, and the critical steps required to efficiently close an estate.

  Speaker: Scott Ruhsam

  Scott Ruhsam represents clients in matters of tax, business, estate planning, probate and probate administration. Prior to joining Kennedy & Ruhsam Law, Scott worked for a law firm in Bloomington, Minnesota where he practiced in estate planning and civil litigation. He also worked in government relations for a national non-profit organization, and served as inside general counsel for a midsize closely held business.

  Scott attended the University of Wisconsin in Eau Claire, Wisconsin, where he graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in English with a focus in Scientific and Technical writing. He attended William Mitchell College of Law in St. Paul, Minnesota where he earned his Juris Doctor.

  Scott currently lives in St. Paul. Outside of the office, Scott enjoys coaching youth basketball, golf, and spending time with his wife.

  Remote attendance only.
  

  • Member Cost: Free
  • Non-Member Cost: $15

  CLE credit has been applied for this session.

  Please RSVP by June 9, 2026.

  Sponsored by: Probate & Tax Sectional

  If you have any questions or concerns, please contact Andrea MacLean at Andrea.MacLean@bravlaw.com.

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• MPA Board Meeting

  • When
    June 17, 2026
  •  
    6:30 PM - 7:30 PM
  • Location
    N/A

  MPA Board of Directors Meeting

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• Unlocking Opportunities: The Modern Movement for Criminal Record Reform

  • When
    June 23, 2026
  •  
    12:00 PM - 1:00 PM
  • Location
    Remote Attendance via Zoom

  Register

  Topic: Unlocking Opportunities: The Modern Movement for Criminal Record Reform

  Sharpen your client-centered approach with a session focused on demystifying criminal records and expanding access to second chances. Learn the critical differences between arrests, charges, and convictions, and how criminal records impact employment, housing, and education. The session provides a practical overview of Minnesota record relief options. Grounded in a trauma informed lens, this presentation also explores how poverty, systemic pressure, and lived experience shape client outcomes and advocacy strategies.

  This is part three of a 3-part Criminal Law CLE series.

  

  Speaker: Corrin Swintosky

  

  Corrin Swintosky, a freelance criminal paralegal and owner of Lucid Legal Support, provides freelance paralegal services to solo and small criminal defense firms nationwide. With over 5 years of versatile criminal legal experience in probation, court operations, and public defense, she consults law firms on the best defense theories, trial strategies, and training for criminal defense teams.

  Remote attendance only.

  • Member Cost: Free
  • Non-Member Cost: $15

  CLE credit has been applied for this session.

  Please RSVP by June 22, 2026.

  Sponsored by: Litigation Sectional

  If you have any questions or concerns, please contact Stefanie Lee at Stefanie.L.MPA@gmail.com.

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• MPA Board Meeting

  • When
    July 15, 2026
  •  
    6:30 PM - 7:30 PM
  • Location
    N/A

  MPA Board of Directors Meeting

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• Strategic Use of Receiverships in Family Law to Save Time and Money

  • When
    July 17, 2026
  •  
    12:00 PM - 1:00 PM
  • Location
    Remote Attendance via Zoom

  Register

  Topic: Strategic Use of Receiverships in Family Law to Save Time and Money

  This presentation examines the strategic application of court-appointed receiverships as a powerful tool in high-conflict or complex family law disputes to enhance asset preservation, reduce litigation expenses, and expedite case resolution. While often seen as a last resort, this session will outline how a proactive receivership can resolve deadlocks when parties are unwilling or unable to cooperate, thereby mitigating the risk of waste and ensuring equitable distribution.

  Speakers: Jillian Duffy and Jason T. Hutchison

  Jason Hutchison is a Twin Cities family law mediator and dispute resolution professional with more than two decades of legal experience. A cum laude graduate of the University of Minnesota Law School, Jason founded Hutchison Dispute Resolution LLC in 2026 to focus on mediation, moderated settlement conferences (MSCs), and special master and consensual special magistrate work throughout the Minneapolis–Saint Paul metro area and greater Minnesota.

  Before entering private dispute resolution, Jason served for fourteen years as a Judicial Referee in the Hennepin County Fourth Judicial District — one of the busiest courts in Minnesota. During that time, he presided over thousands of cases involving marital dissolution, divorce, child custody, paternity, domestic abuse, orders for protection, Extreme Risk Protective Orders (ERPOs), and matters arising under Minnesota's artificial reproductive technologies (ARTS) statutes. Attorneys who worked in front of Jason during his tenure on the bench know him as a careful, thorough, and pragmatic judicial officer — qualities he now brings directly to the mediation and ADR space in Minnesota divorce and family law cases.

  Jason's pre-judicial career adds further depth to his credentials. As a prosecuting attorney, assistant city attorney, and private attorney, he handled criminal prosecution, civil litigation, business formation, fraudulent transfer issues, municipal law, real property transactions, commercial landlord-tenant disputes, and land use and title matters — giving him a command of the full range of legal issues that frequently surface in complex family law mediations, including property division, business valuation, real estate, and marital debt. That broad foundation makes him an unusually well-rounded neutral for high-conflict/ high-asset divorce cases, custody disputes, and other family law matters requiring a mediator who can engage substantively with complicated legal and financial issues - while bringing a human touch devolved over years of managing litigation from the Bench.

  Family law attorneys in the Twin Cities selecting a mediator for their clients will find in Jason a neutral who has seen these cases from every angle — as a litigator, as a judicial office who presided over cases for fourteen years, and as a trainer who has presented on family law topics at the Minnesota Court of Appeals, the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers' Divorce Camp, AFCC-Minnesota, and numerous MinnCLE programs. He is a current board member of AFCC-Minnesota (Association of Family and Conciliation Courts) and completed his 40-hour family mediation training and SENE/FENE training through AFCC-Minnesota in 2025.

  Whether you are a family law attorney in Minneapolis, Saint Paul, or anywhere in the Twin Cities metro looking for a mediator with genuine judicial experience and deep subject-matter expertise, Jason T. Hutchison offers a rare combination of practical knowledge, institutional credibility, and a demonstrated commitment to helping parties reach durable, workable resolutions. To discuss scheduling a mediation or moderated settlement conference, contact Hutchison Dispute Resolution LLC directly.

  Jillian K. Duffy brings experience, judgment, and steady advocacy to every matter she handles. She is a Minnesota attorney focusing on family law, divorce, mediation, receiverships, and general business law, advising clients through complex legal and financial issues with clarity and purpose.

  Jill represents clients in all aspects of family law, including divorce, custody and parenting time disputes, post-judgment modifications, and appeals. Her practice includes negotiating and drafting prenuptial and postnuptial agreements, assisting with step-parent adoptions, and handling high-conflict and financially complex matters. She is a Rule 114 Qualified Neutral and Certified Family Law Mediator, helping parties resolve disputes efficiently both in and out of court.

  Jill also frequently serves as a court-appointed Receiver, managing real estate, financial accounts, businesses and other assets during pending litigation. In that role, she works closely with courts, attorneys, title companies, and financial professionals to ensure compliance with court orders, preserve asset value, and facilitate orderly resolution.

  Jill’s professionalism and ethical standards have earned consistent peer recognition. She was selected for Thomson Reuters Minnesota Lawyers Rising Stars (2013–2016) and has been named a Minnesota Super Lawyer annually from 2017 through 2026, including Top 50: Women Minnesota Super Lawyers in 2025 and 2026, and Top 100: Minnesota Super Lawyers in 2026.

  Jill is a member of the Minnesota State Bar Association, the Minnesota Women Lawyers’ Association, and the Lavender Bar Association. She earned her Juris Doctor from William Mitchell College of Law and holds bachelor’s degrees in Psychology and Criminology from The College of St. Scholastica and the University of Minnesota–Duluth.

  Remote attendance only.
  

  • Member Cost: Free
  • Non-Member Cost: $15

  CLE credit has been applied for this session.

  Please RSVP by July 16, 2026.

  Sponsored by: Family Law Sectional

  If you have any questions or concerns, please contact Amanda Bean at amandab@hllawfirm.com.

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• MPA Board Meeting

  • When
    August 19, 2026
  •  
    6:30 PM - 7:30 PM
  • Location
    N/A

  MPA Board of Directors Meeting

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• MPA Board Meeting

  • When
    September 16, 2026
  •  
    6:30 PM - 7:30 PM
  • Location
    N/A

  MPA Board of Directors Meeting

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• MPA Board Meeting

  • When
    October 21, 2026
  •  
    6:30 PM - 7:30 PM
  • Location
    N/A

  MPA Board of Directors Meeting

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• MPA Board Meeting

  • When
    November 18, 2026
  •  
    6:30 PM - 7:30 PM
  • Location
    N/A

  MPA Board of Directors Meeting

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• MPA Board Meeting

  • When
    December 16, 2026
  •  
    6:30 PM - 7:30 PM
  • Location
    N/A

  MPA Board of Directors Meeting

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