Change was in the air throughout the 2023 MSBA Convention, which took place at the Minnesota CLE Conference Center in Minneapolis June 21-22. In addition to its being the first entirely in-person convention since the conclusion of the pandemic, the gathering featured the passing of the gavel from outgoing MSBA President Paul Peterson to 2023-24 President Paul Floyd; a valedictory State of the Judiciary address from Chief Justice Lorie Skjerven Gildea, who is departing the Court October 1; and sessions on Minnesota’s new adult-use cannabis law and the ethical implications of ChatGPT and other emerging AI resources. Running coach and two-time Olympian Khadevis Robinson provided the keynote address.
Chief Justice Gildea’s address included a recounting of the successes of Minnesota courts’ digital initiatives, highlighted by the launch of Minnesota Court Records Online (MCRO) and the Court’s continuing post-pandemic embrace of remote hearings in many kinds of cases. The convention proceedings weren’t all work, however; attendees enjoyed a president’s reception at the popular Fogo de Chao restaurant on day one and took in a Twins afternoon game on day two.