Hillary Taylor Quoted in Bench and Bar Article, "What it Takes to Flunk Minnesota's CLE Standards"

Commentary by Hillary Taylor, attorney in Maslon's Litigation Group and Minnesota Lavender Bar Association (MLBA) board member, is featured in a November 2018 Bench and Bar article titled, "What it Takes to Flunk Minnesota's CLE Standards." The article reports on the controversy created when CLE credit was extended and then revoked for a 2017 lecture at the St. Paul Seminary titled, "Understanding and Responding to the Transgender Moment." The lecture was part of a day-long religious symposium December 11. 2017. At the time of the event, credit, including elimination of bias credit, was pending while the application was reviewed. 

Initially the Minnesota Lavender Bar Association submitted an opposition letter to the Minnesota State Board of Continuing Legal Education. According to Taylor, the group argued that the event was inappropriate for CLE credit principally based on the transphobic message and its inconsistency with the elimination of bias learning goals. Several affinity bar associations also added support to the opposition. MLBA was notified in March that the CLE board had approved the lecture for CLE credit. MLBA renewed its concerns and requested to be heard at the CLE board's May board meeting. After this meeting the CLE board made the unprecedented and historic decision to rescind approval for a CLE course.

To read the full article, go to: Bench and Bar, "Credit Where Credit Isn't Due: What it Takes to Flunk Minnesota's CLE Standards."

Hillary focuses her practice on tort and product liability, construction litigation, and general commercial litigation. In her products liability practice, she has successfully defended medical device manufacturers in both state and federal courts against allegations of manufacturing and design defects, strict liability, failure to warn, and breach of warranties. Hillary is a member of Maslon's Diversity Committee. She also serves on the Boards of Directors for the Minnesota Lavender Bar Association and Minnesota Justice Foundation, and she provides pro bono services for the Children's Law Center of Minnesota, Volunteer Lawyers Network, and The Advocates for Human Rights.