July–August 2003

“Patently winning ways”—Aug. 25, 2003, Star Tribune
Marty Lueck ’84 and Jan Conlin recently scored the largest jury award in the nation—$521 million— in a case against Microsoft. Their work on the case is profiled in this story. Prof. Roger Haydock also comments on how attorneys explain complex cases to judges and juries.

“Jan Symchych on trading big firm for boutique firm”—Aug. 18, 2003, Minnesota Lawyer
Minneapolis attorney Janice M. Symchych ’77 explains her reasons for leaving a large law firm to work at Halleland Lewis Nilan Sipkins & Johnson, saying that it was a natural move to make given her background in defense, as a U.S. magistrate judge, and in civil practice.

“Corporate scandals may force changes in ethics rules for lawyers”—Aug. 12, 2003, Star Tribune
Ken Kirwin, William Mitchell professor and chair of the Minnesota State Bar Association rules of professional conduct committee, comments on the ability of Minnesota lawyers to disclose confidential information if the client is intending to commit fraud.

“A witness to history”—Aug. 8, 2003, Duluth News-Tribune
Wayne G. Johnson ’52 is believed to be the longest-serving city attorney in America, having served in that role for Beaver Bay, Minn., since 1953. He is the only city attorney Beaver Bay has ever known.

“Insanity defense is hard to win”—Aug. 7, 2003, Star Tribune
William Mitchell Prof. Eric Janus comments on the Minnesota standard for using the insanity defense, saying that the rule “is unnecessarily restrictive,” and that he has “a lot of faith in the...common sense of jurors to understand when mental illness is so severe that it [affects a person’s culpability].”

“Lombardi’s son carries on legacy”—Aug. 7, 2003, Star Tribune
Vince Lombardi Jr. ’69 is speaking at the Lombardi Leadership Event, which will help raise funds for nonprofit organizations such as Special Olympics and Urban Hope. His message is based on the philosophies of his father, football coaching legend Vince Lombardi, who helped the Green Bay Packers win five NFL Championships.

“Women to Watch: Min (Amy) Xu”—July 25, 2003, Minneapolis/St. Paul Business Journal
Alumni board member Min (Amy) Xu ’97, an attorney at Dorsey & Whitney, is profiled in the annual Women in Business special edition for her work in intellectual property law and the firm’s Asian practice interest group.

“Future looks dim for law school LAMP program”—July 21, 2003, Minnesota Lawyer and St. Paul Legal Ledger
Budget cuts at the Minnesota Public Defender's Office have greatly reduced the Legal Assistance to Minnesota Prisoners program, but William Mitchell College of Law has agreed to provide some funding to keep the program operational.

“‘Lights’ cases heavy with import for companies, states”—July 14, 2003, Star Tribune
Doug Blanke, director of the Tobacco Law Center at William Mitchell College of Law, comments on cases being brought by smokers against tobacco companies for deceptive advertising of light cigarettes.