Susan M. Holden - Press

Susan HoldenRains on Brian Melendez’s Parade (Well, Not Really …)

June 20, 2008 - Minnesota Lawyer

In a surprise move, outgoing MSBA President Brian Melendez bestowed the prestigious President’s Award on one of his predecessors, Minneapolis attorney Susan Holden. Ironically, given the honor’s name, it’s unprecedented for a former MSBA president to receive the award.

Those who know Holden know how active she has remained in the association since passing the gavel, including agreeing to serve as chair of the always demanding MSBA Legislative Committee. She even accompanied a contingent of MSBA folk to Washington, D.C., this spring to lobby Congress on initiatives of interest to the bar.

Melendez added a moment of levity to the otherwise solemn occasion of the awarding of the honor by accusing Holden of ruining the once-easy job to which he had always aspired — former MSBA president.

For her part, Holden was taken aback when it was announced that she was receiving the award, and professed to be “speechless.” However, in true MSBA president fashion, she then found something to say anyway.

“Had I known you were going to do this, as a former MSBA president I would have counseled you not to,” she told Melendez with a smile.