Strategic Engagement Committee

The Strategic Engagement Committee works to broaden the impact of the MLBA in the
community at large. Specific responsibilities include the following:

• Building working relationships with affinity bar associations (including identification of opportunities for partnership and collaboration).
  • Co-hosting a happy hour, networking event, or CLE with other affinity bar associations with the goal of promoting intersectionality.
  • Considering whether to send representatives to the annual conference or encouraging attending members to report back on the sessions as a resource for MLBA members (potential CLE panel event).
• Managing the mentorship program, law school outreach, the MLBA fellowship, MLBA awards, and judicial pipeline efforts.
  • Organizing a law student networking event and/or organizing tabling events for law students.
  • When requested, interviewing judicial candidates who request letters of support and report back to board with recommended actions.
  • Assisting with the organizing of MLBA’s mentorship program with law students; providing training for mentors and outreach regarding the goals of the mentorship program.
  • Outreach for MLBA fellowships and awards.
• Monitoring and assessing MLBA programming to broaden the impact of the MLBA in the community at large, making recommendations to the Board to improve or change annual MLBA offerings as appropriate to further the MLBA’s mission.
• Continuing MLBA representation in the MSBA Assembly, HCBA board of directors, and RCBA board of directors. Supporting and advising other MLBA committees with respect to co-sponsored and/or intersectional programming.
  • Pushing for stronger collaboration with other affinity bar associations with programming or social events.
  • Identifying key stakeholders for collaboration.
  • Pushing for stronger collaboration with Advocates for Human Rights to encourage and train pro bono attorneys to represent LGBTQ+ identified immigrants seeking asylum from persecution in their home country.
  • Identifying programming in public policy, legal and individual advocacy, and education in creative ways, including dynamic local organizations such as
• RECLAIM, OutFront Minnesota, and Human Rights Campaign MN. Also working to engage the broader legal professional community, including the Minnesota Paralegal Association and the Minnesota chapter of the Association of Legal Administrators.

Strategic Engagement Committee Members:

• Mara Sybesma (co-chair)
• Tara Kalar (co-chair)
• Lee Novelli 
• Lisa Beane
• Janis Douglass
• Ryan Petty

View the Board of Directors page for more details.