A fellow trial lawyer, Dan O’Fallon has announced that he is running for the Minnesota State Senate. Dan is a partner in the Robins, Kaplan, Miller & Ciresi firm here in Minneapolis. I have known Dan for a number of years and have admired his conviction and tenacity when the issue involves the rights of individuals or control on corporate power and corruption.

I don’t know if Dan will be a great State Senator. I do know he will be dedicated, knowledgeable and strive to do the right thing for the common good. That is all we can ask. We can and should support people like Dan that give of themselves for the greater good because both Dan and his firm will be making a sacrifice for his service.

The first law firm that hired me was Carlsen, Greiner & Law. One of the partners was Tom Berg, a DFL legislator, later to become U.S. Attorney. I do not know if it was that Tom was a DFLer or that Chuck Carlsen was a Republican, but I will never forget Chuck telling us that he never liked it that Tom was in the Legislature. Chuck did not like it that Tom’s public service kept him away from the office and he felt very strongly about it as did Tom about the need for his service.

You know, even though they were at the opposite ends of the spectrum of political ideology, both men always respected each other and gave deference to their individual differences. Both are great men in my mind and will be so until Tom really screws up (which he won’t) as Chuck is dead.

I am thankful that Dan is running. It is a sacrifice, but it is his time.

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