Minnesota State Law Library
Minnesota State Law Library
Roll of Attorneys Supreme Court, State of Minnesota 1858-1970, is one of the most precious items in our collection. In July 1858, attorneys who joined the bar in Minnesota began signing their names in the roll book. This practice continued for years and this roll book was retired in 1970 because it was full. A second roll book continued on for a number of years until the practice was discontinued in favor of computerized tracking. The book contains signatures of many prominent Minnesotans, such as Henry Sibley, Warren Burger and Rosalie Wahl. The book has recently returned to the library from the repair shop where the once crumbling cover was replaced with a new leather binding.
"We, the undersigned do severally solemnly swear that we will support the Constitution of the United States and the Constitution of the State of Minnesota, and that we will faithfully perform the duties of attorneys and counselors of the Supreme Court of the State of Minnesota with respect to the court and fidelity to our clients, so help us God.
"Sworn to and subscribed before me, upon the day set opposite each name in the roll annexed and duly signed."
University of Minnesota Law Class 1906 signed June 15, 1906
Warren Burger, who signed the roll book September 16, 1931, went on to be the Chief Justice of the U.S. Supreme Court from June 23, 1969 – September 26, 1986.
This second roll book took over from the previous book when it was full. This book covers the years 1970-1983 and ends in May 1983. At that point, it was discontinued because it was easier to keep track of the attorneys with computers. The book is fully digitized and available online.
"We, the undersigned do severally solemnly swear that we will support the Constitution of the United States and the Constitution of the State of Minnesota, and that we will faithfully perform the duties of attorneys and counselors of the Supreme Court of the State of Minnesota with respect to the court and fidelity to our clients, so help us God.
"Sworn to and subscribed before me, upon the day set opposite each name in the roll annexed and duly signed."
This page contains signatures of new attorneys who signed the roll book on September 16, 1974.
The tradition of new attorneys signing the Roll Book was restarted in 2018. This new book will be brought to each swearing-in ceremony, so each attorney gets the chance to sign this book. It will be preserved by the library and in the future, when it is full, we expect it to be digitized and it will be available to be viewed online.
"I swear that I will support the Constitution of the United States and that of the State of Minnesota, and will conduct myself as an attorney and counselor at law, in an upright and courteous manner, to the best of my learning and ability, with all good fidelity as well to the court as to the client, and that I will use no falsehood or deceit, nor delay any person's cause for lucre or malice, so help me God."
The first group of attorneys to sign the book on May 11, 2018.