Minneapolis (4-18-02): -- Law Week 2002 is sponsored April 30 through May 3 by the Hennepin County Bar Association and the Minnesota Paralegal Association. Three programs under the nationally proclaimed Law Day 2002 theme "Assuring Equal Justice for All" will be available free to the public in City Center in downtown Minneapolis.
An Access Information Fair kicks off Law Week on Tuesday, April 30 from 11:00 a.m. until 1:30 p.m. in the City Center atrium. Local agencies protecting Americans’ access to justice and the Hennepin County District Court will provide information on their services and the options available to individuals with legal concerns. Other printed information on legal concerns and legal resources will be available throughout the week on City Center’s 3rd floor.
Popular each year, "Ask-a-Lawyer" will again be available Tuesday through Friday on the third floor of City Center from 11:30 a.m. until 1:30 p.m. Individuals can bring their general legal questions and meet with a volunteer attorney for a consultation, without charge. Opportunities are available on a "first come" basis. Court personnel will also be on hand to answer questions about how individuals can access court services. Paralegal volunteers will provide information on legal resources in the community and general information about legal procedures.
New this year for Law Week is a debate on the conflicting demands of national security and personal freedom. Moderated by George Latimer, the debate, Personal Freedom vs. New World Security: Does National Security Trump Essential Individual Rights, features Marshall Tanick, well known local first amendment attorney and John Hinderaker, president of the Center of the American Experiment. (Lawyers may receive one hour of CLE credit for this program.)
The debate takes place on Tuesday afternoon at 4 p.m. in the HCBA conference space on the third floor of City Center. In addition, the program is being recorded for broadcast by Minnesota Public Radio. Broadcast is scheduled for Law Day, Wednesday, May 1 on Midday with Gary Eichten. The program is free, but space is limited and individuals are encouraged to register by calling (612) 752-6600.
Law Week is a public service event of the Hennepin County Bar Association and the Minnesota Paralegal Association, held in conjunction with the nationally proclaimed Law Day USA each May 1st.
Throughout the year the public can also access legal information without charge through TEL-LAW -- 70 recorded messages provide answers to the most often asked legal questions. TEL-LAW is available without charge, 24 hours a day, locally at (612) 752-6699 and outside the metro area, toll-free, by calling (877) 752-6699.