Hillary Taylor Quoted in Minnesota Lawyer Article on Revoked CLE Credit

Commentary by Hillary Taylor, attorney in Maslon's Litigation Group and Minnesota Lavender Bar Association (MLBA) board member, is featured in a May 28, 2018, Minnesota Lawyer article, titled "In a first, CLE credit for lecture revoked." The article reports on a recent lecture at the St. Paul Seminary for which CLE credit was revoked—a first for the CLE board—following the efforts of the MLBA.

The lecture, titled "Understanding and Responding to the Transgender Moment/St. Paul," was part of a day-long religious symposium in December 2017. Hillary stated, "the language of the presentation encourages bias by arguing against the identities [of transgender people]." "Discrimination is not legal education," she said.

As reported in the article, "On December 14, 2017, the MLBA submitted an opposition letter notifying the Minnesota State Board of Continuing Legal Education that such programming failed to (i) meet CLE general standards; (ii) meet criteria that would qualify such programming for any of the special categories, including elimination of bias, that may qualify for CLE credit; and, (iii) support both MBCLE and Minnesota State Bar Association's efforts to advance diversity and inclusion." After MLBA was notified that the CLE board had approved the lecture for CLE credit over the objection of the MLBA, it renewed its concerns and requested to be heard at the CLE board's next board meeting on May 17, 2018. Hillary credited MLBA board member Sarah Zabel's "compelling message regarding the dignity of transgender people and the painful repercussions of transphobic rhetoric." 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: Minnesota Lawyer, "In a first, CLE credit for lecture revoked."

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 both the Children's Law Center of Minnesota and the Volunteer Lawyers Network.