Upper Midwest Law Center

10/17/2026

We're making a big announcement on Monday! If you don't want to miss it, head to our website and join our email list!

The Upper Midwest Law Center is filing a lawsuit against the state on behalf of Rochester Area Builders and the Central Minnesota Builders Association.

10/15/2026

As UMLC Senior Appellate Counsel Nicholas Nelson said, when the government threatens someone’s career and livelihood over constitutionally protected criticism, it should have to answer for it in court.

That is exactly what the Eighth Circuit’s decision allows Dr. Scott Jensen’s case to do.

Catch up on the latest here: https://www.umlc.org/dr-scott-jensens-free-speech-case-revived-by-eighth-circuit/

10/14/2026

The room is ready, and so are we.

We are excited to welcome guests to UMLC’s Fall Freedom Forum for an evening focused on freedom, accountability, and the rule of law.

Thank you to everyone joining us tonight in support of UMLC’s work

10/13/2026

UMLC takes the fight to court when government officials overstep, ignore the law, or threaten constitutional freedoms.

Your support helps make that work possible.

Stand with UMLC by making a tax-deductible and confidential donation here: https://secure.anedot.com/upper-midwest-law-center/donate.

10/12/2026

Can a school board punish one of its own members for asking tough questions?

That is the issue in UMLC’s First Amendment case on behalf of Pollyann Sorcan, a former Rock Ridge School Board member who says ISD 2909 censured her, stripped her of committee assignments, and tried to block her from attending committee meetings after she questioned board policies.

The Eighth Circuit ruled in Sorcan’s favor and reversed the lower court’s dismissal. Now, the case is back in district court for the next steps.

UMLC Senior Appellate Counsel Nicholas Nelson will appear at the next hearing on October 22.
Elected officials do not lose their First Amendment rights when they take office.

10/10/2026

UMLC Senior Appellate Counsel Nick Nelson joined attorneys and legal professionals at the University of St. Thomas School of Law for a panel on The State of Religious Freedom in the United States and Minnesota.

Nick discussed Supreme Court First Amendment jurisprudence, including what to expect in the term to come.

Thank you to the Christian Legal Society of Minnesota and the Lawyers Guild of St. Thomas More for hosting the conversation.

10/09/2026

Boys are boys, and girls are girls.

16 Minnesota school districts have been put on notice. https://www.umlc.org/16-minnesota-school-districts-face-federal-civil-rights-complaint-over-sexual-identity-policies/

10/09/2026

UMLC Managing Attorney Rachel Paulose joined WCCO to discuss Suncor Energy v. Boulder County, the arguments before the Court, and the troubling implications of attempting to address climate change via state-by-state tort liability for the oil industry.

Rachel Paulose is a former United States Attorney and Senior Litigation Attorney at Upper Midwest Law Center. She returns to the show to discuss the Suncor Energy (U.S.A.) Inc. v. County Commissioners of Boulder County case being heard in the Supreme Court. Jordana and Rachel discuss the history o.....

10/08/2026

The fight over sex-based policies in Minnesota schools is not new.
In January, the U.S. Department of Education announced that its Office for Civil Rights and HHS had referred the Minnesota Department of Education and Minnesota State High School League matter to the Department of Justice.

Now, UMLC is asking OCR to investigate policies in 16 Minnesota school districts. If you live in one of these districts and have information, please reach out!

https://www.umlc.org/16-minnesota-school-districts-face-federal-civil-rights-complaint-over-sexual-identity-policies/

10/07/2026

Sixteen Minnesota school districts are now facing scrutiny over policies UMLC argues violate Title IX, constitutional parental rights, and federal law.

As Doug Seaton rightfully said: “Boys are boys, and girls are girls, no matter what Attorney General Ellison or some school districts say.”

The saga over trans policies in Minnesota schools continues as a group is now calling on the federal government to investigate 16 districts.