News & Events

Maslon sponsors “Call to Justice Forum”

Posted: May 10, 2006

Committed to improving justice by addressing racial inequality issues in Minnesota's criminal justice system, Maslon is donating $10,000 as an Associate Justice Sponsor for the Call to Justice Forum, to be held in Minneapolis, June 28.

"The perceptions of fairness of our criminal justice system affect all of us as citizens,” said Maslon attorney Gary Haugen. “As lawyers we must strive to achieve the promise of ‘equal justice for all.’ The  Council on Crime and Justice is leading our community to deliver on that promise."

The Call to Justice Forum is the culmination of 5 years of research conducted by the Council on Crime and Justice, according to Susan Smoluchowski, vice president of Development and Marketing at the Council. "The study--the Racial Disparity Initiative--looked at why Minnesota has had the widest racial disparity in its criminal justice system of any state in the country in recent years. It also looked at the consequences of this disparity--how it has affected individuals, families and communities, and what that effect does to our communities as a whole."

The Council on Crime and Justice is a private, nonprofit agency that has provided independent and alternative views and solutions in the field of criminal and social justice for more than 40 years. It has initiated programs in such areas as offender services, alternative sanctions, victim's rights and restorative justice.  
 
"The purpose of the forum," Smoluchowski added, "is to discuss key findings from 16 independent studies, which each examine this issue from a different perspective, and determine what steps to take to move forward to address the racial disparities and improve public safety at the same time. The Council believes that the fairer the criminal justice system is, the better the likelihood in the long run that public safety will be enhanced.
 
This is a critical phase in the Council's work to improve justice and address racial inequalities in the criminal justice system, and Maslon's support and endorsement are of great importance and value, both to the Council as an organization and to the effort as a whole."

The Maslon Law Firm is a 81-attorney commercial law firm based in Minneapolis, with particular experience in the areas of business and securities matters, high-stakes litigation, and financial services law.

MORE INFORMATION:

• Council on Crime and Justice >>
• The Racial Disparity Initiative (pdf) >>
• More about the Maslon Law Firm >>

CONTACT:
Elizabeth Warmka
Communications Specialist
612.672.8252 or elizabeth.warmka@maslon.com