​Colleagues: 

Due to the severe weather forecast for the area this weekend, the OCBA-sponsored fundraiser for Legal Assistance of Olmsted County that is scheduled for this Saturday, March 9, will be postponed. This decision was made to ensure the safety of our guests, vendors, and staff that would support us during the event.

The new date for the LAOC "Night at Monte Carlo" Fundraiser is Saturday, May 11, at the Mayo Civic Center.
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We truly appreciate your understanding and continued support of LAOC and sincerely apologize for any inconvenience. If you have any concerns regarding your ticket purchase, please contact Karen Nath at Karen@laocmn.org or 507-287-2036.

Olmsted County Bar Association

• Thanks to everyone who attended last Friday's meeting at Victoria's despite the frigid temps.  Highlights included the introduction of new OCBA members Andrew Clay and Maggie Cook, as well as Mark Delehanty's announcement that Andrea Niesen has joined him and Carole Pasternak as a partner at the Klampe firm.
• The Board is updating member information on the OCBA website.  Please check here: https://www.olmstedbar.com/attorneys.html to confirm the accuracy of your data.  If you require any changes, please email the OCBA Gmail account.
• There's still time to snag a gift card to Chester's or Terza by participating in LAOC's ticket sales challenge!  See below for additional information.  
• Speaking of LAOC fundraiser tickets, get yours now at https://www.experiencerochestermn.com/rsvp/?action=details&noredirect=1&eventId=345.  Prices increase after Friday, February 15.  What are you waiting for?
• Last but not least, remember that our fundraiser on behalf of LAOC is held in lieu of a March member meeting.  We'll see you on Saturday, March 9, at the Civic Center!

Legal Assistance of Olmsted County

• The annual fundraiser will be here before you know it!  Purchase tickets now at https://www.experiencerochestermn.com/rsvp/?action=details&noredirect=1&eventId=345 before prices increase this Friday.
• LAOC's challenge to "raise the Bar" and expand the scope of the annual OCBA fundraiser is going strong.  Opportunities for non-attorney sponsors are still available!  Contact Karen Nath, karen@laocmn.org, for more information.  

Olmsted County District Court

• The courts are closed next Monday, February 18, in observance of Presidents Day.

Olmsted County Bar Association

• Our February meeting is at noon this Friday, February 8, at Victoria's. We hope to see you there!
• Know any high school seniors preparing to graduate this spring and pursue a career related to the law?  Applications for our OCBA scholarships are available now!  Visit https://www.olmstedbar.com/news1/scholarship-applications-now-available  to download a copy.
• It's not too early to start planning your big night out at the annual LAOC fundraiser!  Ticket prices increase next Friday, February 15.  What are you waiting for?  Buy yours now:  https://www.experiencerochestermn.com/rsvp/?action=details&noredirect=1&eventId=345
• Remember to "like" us on Facebook to receive other news and notifications throughout the week.

Olmsted County Drug Court ("OCDC")

• OCDC has reached capacity with 30 participants.  A waiting list has been created. Please continue to make referrals, but do so as early in the process as possible.  The referral date does not determine the order of placement on the list; an individual is not officially placed on the list until the entire referral process is complete.  If an individual wants to be assessed for drug court, parties need to be clear at the time of referral that the referral is for a pre-plea PSI is to determine OCDC elgibility.  If the referral is for a pre-plea PSI only, the individual will not be considered for OCDC. If you have questions about the process, please contact Judge Wallace's court assistant, Elizabeth Howard, at Elizabeth.Howard@courts.state.mn.us 
• There is an OCDC  graduation scheduled for this Thursday, February 7, in Courtroom 5 following the regularly scheduled 2:00 p.m. drug court session.   Please email OCDC Coordinator Joe Vogel at vogel.joe@co.olmsted.mn.us with any questions. 

Legal Assistance of Olmsted County

• LAOC has challenged OCBA to "raise the Bar" and help expand the scope of the annual OCBA fundraiser.  Participants will have the opportunity to win gift certificates to Chester's and Terza!  Please contact Karen Nath, karen@laocmn.org, for more information.  
• Don't forget to buy your own tickets for the fundraiser!  Visit  https://www.experiencerochestermn.com/rsvp/?action=details&noredirect=1&eventId=345 to get yours now!

Have an announcement to share with your OCBA colleagues?  Send your information to our Gmail account by 8:00 p.m. the preceding Sunday!  Announcements also are emailed to your inbox and posted on our Facebook page at:
https://www.facebook.com/OlmstedCountyBarAssociation/.      

​Olmsted County Bar Association

• Our February lunch meeting is next Friday, February 8, at Victoria's.  By that time, things should have thawed a bit and you'll be ready to brave the weather for a hearty meal and some great conversation.  We hope to see you there!

• Applications are now available online for the 2019 OCBA academic scholarships: https://www.olmstedbar.com/news1/scholarship-applications-now-available.  Please spread the word to friends and family who have high school seniors preparing to graduate in Olmsted County this spring. 

• The LAOC fundraising face-off is in full swing!  Please see LAOC's announcement below for more information.

Olmsted County Drug Court

• There is a drug court graduation scheduled for this Thursday, January 31, in Courtroom 5 following the regularly scheduled 2:00 p.m. Drug Court session.  Please email Drug Court Coordinator Joe Vogel at vogel.joe@co.olmsted.mn.us with any questions.

Legal Assistance of Olmsted County

• LAOC has challenged OCBA to "raise the Bar" and help expand the scope of the annual OCBA fundraiser.  Participants will have the opportunity to win gift certificates to Chester's and Terza!  See contact Karen Nath, karen@laocmn.org, for more information. 

Have an announcement to share with your OCBA colleagues on our website?  Send your information to olmstedcountybarassociation@gmail.com by 8:00 p.m. the preceding Sunday!  Announcements also will be emailed to our members and posted on our Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/OlmstedCountyBarAssociation/.    

The Olmsted County Bar Association is pleased to announce the launch of its OCBA Scholarship Program! Two awards of $500 each are available to Olmsted County high school seniors who aspire to contribute to the legal field as attorneys, paralegals, social workers, law enforcement officers, or other associated professionals. Applications are due April 5, 2019, and available here:

​Olmsted County District Court

• The courts are closed next Tuesday, December 25, and will reopen on Wednesday, December 26.

Olmsted County Drug Court

• There is a drug court graduation scheduled for this Thursday, December 20, in Courtroom 5 following the regularly scheduled 2:00 p.m. drug court session.  Please email Drug Court Coordinator Joe Vogel at vogel.joe@co.olmsted.mn.us with any questions.
• There is a drug court graduation scheduled for next Thursday, December 27, in Courtroom 5 following the regularly scheduled 2:00 p.m. drug court session.   Please email Drug Court Coordinator Joe Vogel at vogel.joe@co.olmsted.mn.us with any questions. 

Minnesota State Bar Association

• The MSBA is seeking volunteers to judge mock trials being held in Olmsted County on January 18 and January 25.  Please contact Kim Basting at kbasting@mnbar.org or 1-800-882-6722 for further information.