Posted: Thursday, June 12, 2014

The First Judicial District presented its fourth annual Amicus Curiae Award to Dan Beeson, Wayne Jagow, Lloyd Moosbrugger, Bob Morris, and Jerome Wickert on June 12, 2014.  The Amicus Curiae Award, meaning Friend of the Court, is an annual recognition of attorneys and others who have provided exceptional service, leadership or other contributions to assist the courts in the First Judicial District discharge their constitutional responsibility for the administration of justice.  Beeson, Jagow, and Moosbrugger were nominated by First District Judge Michael Mayer for their leadership and efforts on the First District Ethics Committee.  Morris and Wickert were nominated by First District Judge Karen Asphaug for their contributions to the Dakota County Adult Drug Court.

Dan Beeson is a partner with the law firm of Levander, Gillen & Miller, P.A. in South St. Paul.  Representation of property owners in eminent domain litigation is his area of practice.  Representative clients include national, regional and local corporations and businesses, as well as individuals, involving complex total and partial taking condemnation cases.  He has been recognized as a Super Lawyer in eminent domain practice area from 2006 to 2014, as well as listed among the Top 100 Attorneys in Minnesota.  He is also a member of the Board of Directors of the Minnesota Eminent Domain Institute (MEDI).  Mr. Beeson was appointed as the Chair of the First District Ethics Committee by the Minnesota Supreme Court on September 1, 2008, and has served as a member of the First District Ethics Committee for over twenty-five years.  “Dan’s service to the legal community and particularly to the Ethics Committee has been invaluable, said Mayer.  His willingness to get out front and do his best to improve the image of lawyers and the court system is a tremendous asset to the members of the bar and the Court.”

Wayne Jagow has been in private practice in Burnsville, Minnesota since 1988.  He is a former president of the First District Bar Association and has served on the First District Ethics Committee since 2001.  He has been recently recognized as a North Star Lawyer for providing legal services for individuals who otherwise could not afford counsel.  Mr. Jagow continues to participate in the Dakota County Legal Assistance volunteer attorney program and as a volunteer at the Dakota Family Court Self-Help Center.  Mayer noted, “Wayne has dedicated countless hours to the Ethics Committee and his other volunteer activities.  His willingness to serve and help those in need makes him a natural recipient for this award.”

Lloyd Moosbrugger began practicing law in 1958.  He was in private practice doing general civil litigation until 1963.  Beginning in 1963 and continuing through 1996, he was an Assistant Attorney General for the State of Minnesota.  His area of expertise was, and continues to be, eminent domain.  Mr. Moosbrugger is a Past President of the District 16 Bar Association (Big Stone County) as well as a Past President of the First District Bar Association.  He has served as the Director of the International Right of Way Association where his expertise in eminent domain was vital.  Mr. Moosbrugger has served faithfully and continuously on the First District Ethics Committee of the Minnesota State Bar Association since approximately 1974.  He chaired that committee from 1974 through 2008.  “Lloyd has been a dedicated and diligent servant to the legal community and the public since 1974, said Mayer.  His leadership on the Ethics Committee has helped numerous attorneys find resolution with clients.”  

Bob Morris served in the U.S. Army in World War II and went on to run a successful publishing company.  He spent over 20 years in the publishing business and upon the later stage of retirement began volunteering for the newly established Dakota County Adult Drug Court program in 2008.  Mr. Morris has helped numerous adult drug court participants throughout the past six years.  He established an Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) meeting held to engage and educate new participants on the concepts of AA and sobriety.  Mr. Morris has transported clients to appointments such as court and dental appointments, and he makes himself available for coffee, late night talks, and has opened his home to many participants.  He volunteers weekly and has been instrumental in the drug court program’s philosophy of taking a holistic approach to changing lives.

Jerome Wickert worked in the construction industry and trades for over 20 years before his semi-retirement status brought him to begin volunteering for the Dakota County Adult Drug Court program in 2011.  His commitment and leadership in hosting a weekly Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) meeting has contributed significantly to the program.  Mr. Wickert’s ability to look at the positive qualities of the participants, along with his quick wit, has been indispensable.  The drug court program would not be what it is today without the dedication of volunteers like Mr. Wickert. 

Past recipients of the Amicus Curiae Award are: Liz Reppe, Dana McKenzie, Merlyn Meinerts, Mary Freyberg, the law firm of Lindquist & Vennum, Sharon Freiling, and Karissa Richardson.