Minneapolis (12-1-03): -- After a month of hospitalization and recuperation since he was seriously injured in a courthouse shooting, attorney Richard L. Hendrickson is being welcomed back at a reception hosted by the Hennepin County Bar Association (HCBA) on Tuesday, December 2. Coffee and cake will be served at the reception held in Courtroom C459 at the Government Center from 11:30 a.m. until 1:30 p.m. Brief remarks by HCBA President John Dornik, Chief Judge Kevin Burke and MSBA President Jim Baillie are planned for 12:30.
On September 29th, Hendrickson was injured and his client was killed when Susan Berkovitz allegedly pulled a gun and began shooting. The relatives had been parties to lengthy legal disputes around a probate settlement. Hendrickson was rushed to the hospital and, after a month of recuperation, is returning to his law practice. The incident has sparked extensive discussion and study of court security issues by the bench, bar and county officials. Each group established court security task forces that have been active since the tragedy. A task force appointed by the county commissioners is expected to make recommendations for security-related changes at the Government Center before the end of the year.
The reception allows the profession to express their solidarity with Hendrickson, and offers an opportunity for bench and bar to share their well wishes. The Minnesota State Bar Association has also allowed lawyers to express their generous financial support through a fund created to help with medical and other expenses while Hendrickson has been unable to practice his profession.