Author: Michael Howard

The False Economy of AI-Generated Legal Documents in Minnesota’s Cannabis Market

As Minnesota’s cannabis market develops, we’re starting to see a pattern developing alongside it: cannabis industry members using AI tools to draft and generate legal documents. A primary reason for this is the belief that documents of sufficient legal quality can be drafted at a fraction of the cost of an attorney. While in theory […]

A List of Ways You Can Get in Trouble for Fraud in Minnesota

When people hear the word fraud, they often picture expansive and elaborate schemes. In reality, fraud in Minnesota can include many different types of cases based on any number of scenarios. Business owners, executives, and professionals can find themselves accused of fraud based on everyday transactions, routine filings, or statements made during investigations. Minnesota and […]

Buyer Beware, Episode 2: Intentional Ambiguity in Contracts

In October 2024, a Minnesota family closed on what they believed was a 10+ acre river-view property in Fort Ripley. The listing promised five bedrooms, one bathroom, and expansive land stretching toward the iconic Mississippi River. County records appeared to confirm the acreage. A hunting app showed property lines extending west to scenic overlooks, where […]

The Briefing Room: February 2026

The First Two Pages: How to Write a Statement of Facts That Actually Moves the Judge Most lawyers spend the bulk of their brief-writing time on the argument section. They labor over the standard of review, polish their point headings, and obsess over whether they have cited the right cases. Then, at the end, they […]

Beat the April 30 Deadline: How Minnesota Childcare Centers Can Appeal for Seminary‑of‑Learning Tax Exemptions (Even If They Never Applied to the Assessor)

Minnesota childcare centers often discover the seminary‑of‑learning exemption only after they receive a full commercial tax bill. The good news is that you can still appeal, even if you have never filed an exemption application with the assessor, as long as you meet the April 30 Tax Court petition deadline for the taxes payable year. […]

Spousal Maintenance (Alimony) in Minnesota: What to Do If You Lose Your Job?

Being laid off is an incredibly stressful experience on its own. However, this difficult situation becomes even more challenging if spousal maintenance (alimony) is involved. In Minnesota, a spousal maintenance order can be modified only if it has become “unreasonable and unfair.” The loss of a job is a common situation where the modification of […]

The Briefing Room: January 2026

The New Legal Writing Coaches: How Tech-Centric Writers Are Rewiring the Way Lawyers Draft For most of the profession’s history, legal writing has been treated as a solitary craft. A junior lawyer learns by reverse‑engineering partner redlines and hoarding old briefs. If you were lucky, you picked up good habits; if not, you learned to […]

What Happens to My Pet if I Die?

Every year, people pass away without a will, or intestate, leaving their loved ones to navigate uncertainty during an already difficult time. Without an estate plan in place, there are often no clear instructions for the care of family members or beloved pets. As a result, pets may be surrendered to shelters or rehomed without […]

Questions to Ask Your Lawyer When Your Business Receives a Civil Investigative Demand

Getting a Civil Investigative Demand (CID) from the Minnesota Attorney General can be alarming. A CID is not a lawsuit – but it is a serious warning sign that the State is investigating your business and deciding whether to take legal action. A recent Minnesota Supreme Court decision, State v. Madison Equities, Inc., highlights why […]