Christina Loukas and Quin Seiler will be presenting at the Florida Housing Coalition Statewide Affordable Housing Conference August 28-30, 2023 in Orlando, Florida. Their session is titled, “Planning for Permanent Affordability.”

The Shimberg Center for Housing Studies reports that over 95,000 units of assisted rental units have come into the Florida market since the year 2000. However, in the same time period nearly 60,000 units of assisted rental units in Florida have turned into market rate housing due to expiring land use restriction agreements, and over 60,000 additional existing affordable housing units will likely exit the rolls over the next 30 years. In other words, we can’t build our way out of the affordable housing deficit unless we require long term or permanent affordability for all the units that receive government subsidy to make those units affordable.

This forum will present permanent and long-term affordability as a key policy and program response to expanding access to sorely needed affordable rental housing, which also increases housing stability, particularly for Florida’s low-income workforce. Presenters will discuss the role of mission-based organizations in tax credit partnerships and how this is encouraged through the Live Local Act, and share examples of state and local programs successfully implementing permanent affordability. Experts will also discuss the value of 99-year ground leases to ensure affordability and the implications of affordable rental housing as a permanent community asset in the context of community development and the provision of resident services for the benefit of the residents as well as the business community.

Jeff Peterson will be speaking at Minnesota CLE’s 2023 Bankruptcy Institute October 2-3, 2023. This year’s Institute will include new presentations on Business, Consumer, and Chapter Sub-V topics – plus the Annual Case Law and Statutory Update, the State of the Court, and many more!

Jeff’s presentation, “Agricultural Insolvency: Ag Lien, Perfection and Priority Issues.” This session will briefly describe the landscape of production agriculture and agricultural lending. The panel will then analyze and discuss the specific issues pertaining to agricultural liens, lien perfection and lien priority issues. Session attendees will be prepared to address such issues when the next cycle of agricultural insolvency issues inevitably arises.

For more information, please visit the event website.

Laura Pfeiffer and Mark Pihart will be presenting, “Legalized Cannabis: What Your Business Needs to Know,” on September 12, 2023. If you’re a business owner or manager, you may still have questions about how to deal with legalized cannabis. This webinar, sponsored by all Lakes Area Chambers of Commerce, will discuss:

• What rights do Minnesotans have under the new law?
• Can I test job applicants or employees for cannabis?
• Can I discipline employees for using cannabis at work?
• What if an employee uses cannabis outside work?
• Can I restrict the customer use of cannabis on my property?

Elizabeth Schmiesing will co-present “First Look at Minnesota’s Ban of PFAS,” on August 30, 3023 for Minnesota CLE.

The Minnesota Legislature recently passed, and Governor Walz signed into law, arguably the broadest PFAS ban in the country. The law bans the sale of certain products containing intentionally added PFAS and will impose certain reporting requirements on manufacturers of products containing intentionally added PFAS. Join Betsy and Lindsey as they provide background on PFAS and PFAS-related legal developments and discuss Minnesota’s new law and the corresponding compliance considerations and implementation challenges.

Speakers:

• Lindsey Remakel; Fredrikson & Byron, P.A.
• Elizabeth H. Schmiesing; Winthrop & Weinstine

For more information and to register, please visit the event website.

Winthrop & Weinstine’s Cannabis group is pleased to present an insightful discussion that explores both the business and regulatory landscape of adult-use recreational cannabis in Minnesota. Our two back-to-back panels will feature legislators, industry pioneers, legal professionals, and entrepreneurs, detailing the path that brought us here, shedding light on the lucrative opportunities within the cannabis market, and offering clarity on how you or your business can get involved. Whether you’re an aspiring business owner, an investor, a professional services provider, or a prospective licensee looking to do business in Minnesota, this event will empower you with the insights needed to enter into Minnesota’s evolving cannabis ecosystem.

Panel 1: “Clearing the Haze: Understanding the Regulatory Landscape of Cannabis in Minnesota”

Unravel the complexities of Minnesota’s newly reformed cannabis laws in this enlightening panel focused on the regulatory environment. Diving into the legal intricacies, experts will provide information on the background of the current Office of Medical Cannabis and thoughts on the future Office of Cannabis Management. Panelists will also discuss the state’s evolving cannabis policies and regulations, addressing licensing requirements, compliance measures, and the intersection of state and federal laws. Attendees will gain a comprehensive understanding of the regulatory challenges and potential opportunities, equipping them to navigate this dynamic landscape with clarity and confidence.

Speakers

• Torey Van Oot, Reporter, Axios Twin Cities (moderator)
• Chris Tholkes, Director of the Office of Medical Cannabis
• Rep. Zack Stephenson, Minnesota House of Representatives, District 35A

Panel 2: “Cultivating New Ventures: Navigating Minnesota’s Budding Cannabis Market”

Discover the lucrative landscape of Minnesota’s cannabis industry as this panel delves into the business and operational opportunities it presents. Experts from a range of sectors will detail the intricacies of establishing and growing cannabis-related enterprises, from cultivation and manufacturing to banking, distribution, and retail. Through insightful conversation, attendees will gain essential insights into investment potential, pitfalls to avoid, and strategies for capitalizing on the evolving cannabis market in Minnesota.

Speakers

• Gerry Fornwald, Shareholder & Cannabis Group Chair, Winthrop & Weinstine (moderator)
• Jon Thompson, Chief Executive Officer, United Science
• Lisa Salazar, Chief Deposit Officer, Bridgewater Bank
• Matt Schwandt, President and Co-Founder, Bauhaus Brew Labs
• Anthony Newby, Owner, Cultivated CBD

Date: Tuesday, September 26, 2023
Time: Registration: 2:30 PM | Panel 1: 3:00 PM | Panel 2: 4:00 PM
Location: Bauhaus Brew Labs – 1315 Tyler Street Northeast Minneapolis, MN 55413
Other Details: Attendees will receive one drink ticket with their free registration

Winthrop & Weinstine attorney Jeffrey Peterson will be participating as a panelist for a Strafford webinar, ” Structuring Farm and Agribusiness Loans: Key Terms, Mitigating Risks, and Role of the Farm Credit System and USDA,” on August 23, 2023.

Jeff Peterson will be speaking at the Commercial Receivers Association (CRA) Annual Conference August 21-23, 2023.  Jeff’s presentation will discuss “Managing an Ag Receivership.”

For more information and to register, please see the event website.

Winthrop & Weinstine attorneys Tom Hanson and Laura Pfeiffer will be presenting at the MBA Annual Conference on October 2-4, 2023 in St. Paul, Minnesota.  Sessions will include discussions on NextGenTV, Media and Employment Law, AM Radio in the Dashboard, FCC, Legislature, Advocacy, Content, Recruitment and more to be announced. For more information, please see the event website.

Winthrop & Weinstine attorney Andrew Steil will be moderating a panel at the Leadership Education and Development (LEAD) conference September 27-28, 2023.  The panel, “Wake Up to Advocacy,” will feature the following panelists:

• Anita Drentlaw, New Market Bank
• Latham Hetland, Farmers & Merchants State Bank
• Austin Wiberg, Minnesota Lakes Bank

The LEAD conference provides the opportunity to cultivate talented bank staff who have future leadership potential. The event focuses on preparing emerging leaders for the next steps in their banking careers.

For more information, please visit the event website.

Winthrop & Weinstine attorneys David Aafedt, Gerry Fornwald, Christianna Finnern, Maggie Green, and Tracy Jacobs will be speaking at Twin Cities Periodontics Study Club on September 28, 2023.  The title of their presentation is, “The Legalization of Recreational Cannabis and Its Impact on Your Dental Practice.”