Henson & Efron Attorney Alan Eidsness appears in Minnesota Lawyer Bar Buzz

Acting Like Lawyers 

Two prominent family law lawyers had the chance to demonstrate their acting skills last week. Some attorneys new to the family law practice gathered in a Hennepin County courtroom to watch seasoned pros Alan Eidsness and Susan C. Rhodes battle a mock motion in front of District Court Judge Tanya Manrique. Hats off to Manrique, Eidsness and Rhodes, who were working with a stack of “pleadings” that looked like it could choke a horse.

Discussion after the mock argument revealed some interesting insights about how judges view lawyers. Eidsness and Rhode played their parts to the hilt, including inserting some typical family court inter-lawyer snippiness. Number one reason not to do that, Manrique said: “We need you to settle cases and have capital with each other.” Manrique warned that family law cases are going to get harder to resolve as the recession continues.

District Court Judge Jay Quam, playing the part of courtroom clerk said out loud what all lawyers suspect, or at least fear: “We talk about lawyers just like lawyers talk about judges.”

Lawyers and judges adjourned to restaurant Max for the post-game debriefing.

Participants in the training program will have an opportunity to take their own crack at the motions in coming weeks.

© 2009 Reprinted with the permission of Minnesota Lawyer.

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