Minneapolis (06-27-06): -- The New Lawyers Section (NLS) of the Hennepin County Bar Association (HCBA) has elected Elizabeth A. (Moffitt) Larsen as chair for the 2006-07 bar year.  Along with duties as chair, she will also serve a one-year term on the association’s Executive Committee and Board of Directors.  Larsen is enthused to join a distinguished list of past NLS chairs and board members.

Larsen completed her undergraduate schooling at Drake University (B.M., Vocal Performance) before returning to Minnesota, where, in 2000, she earned her J.D., cum laude, from the University of Minnesota.  After law school, Larsen clerked for the Honorable Terry Hallenbeck in St. Louis County, Minnesota.  Since 2004, she has practiced at Leonard, Street & Deinard, focusing on construction, commercial and business litigation.  Larsen also practiced as an associate (2001-04) with Flynn, Gaskins & Bennett.    Larsen’s accomplishments were recognized earlier this year, when she was recognized as a “Rising Star” by Minnesota Law & Politics. 

Larsen enters this year having already served as part of the NLS leadership team for four years.  Her energies have been given to promoting community service among new lawyers by leading a variety of projects to serve the elderly, youth, and the underprivileged. 

Larsen will continue the Section’s efforts to raise awareness of the New Lawyers Section in local law schools by providing seminars to law students on practical issues such as interview tips and strategies.  She is also organizing a panel discussion on the practical difference between transactional and litigation practice.  She also plans to continue the community service and educational emphasis with such programs as “We the Jury” for high school students, and to offer marketing and networking events for new lawyers. 

In addition to her involvement with the NLS, Larsen has served on the Finance & Planning Committee for the HCBA and as the vice-chair of the Civil Litigation Committee for the ABA Young Lawyers Division.  Recently, she was elected to the board of directors of the Minnesota Justice Foundation.   

When she is not practicing law or participating in bar association activities, Larsen finds additional time to give back to the profession.  Since 2003, she has taught law students at the University of Minnesota’s Maynard Pirsig Moot Court. 

Other New Lawyers Section officers for 2006-2007 are:

Vice-Chair: Cyrenthia Jordan (Mansfield, Tanick & Cohen)
Treasurer: Sarah Dunn (Meagher & Geer)
Secretary: Patty Wisecup (Arthur Chapman Kettering Smetak & Pikala)

The Hennepin County Bar Association is a professional society representing nearly 8,000 area attorneys with a wide variety of services for the community and the profession.  The New Lawyers Section consists of over 2,000 bar members admitted to practice before the Minnesota Supreme Court within the past six years, or who are 36 years of age or younger. 

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Photo available by email on request. Contact colleen@hcba.org
 
Interviews can be arranged through Duane Stanley, HCBA Communications Director at duane@hcba.org