Street Legal Motorcycle Club
of Minnesota
If you are looking for a group of well-established and safe to ride with motorcyclists, you’ve found that in us. We are an official Motorcycle Club in Minnesota, founded in 1992, and are still going strong. Our focus is folks who work in the legal profession who also enjoy riding and all things motorcycles. We ride for fun, brotherhood, sisterhood, community, and charities that are near and dear to our hearts.
Members include lawyers, judges, law school deans, law students, paralegals, legal secretaries, private investigators, court reporters, and the like. Our lawyers range from solo practitioners to mid- and large firm partners and associates, corporate and government attorneys, and we practice in many substantive areas of law. Many of our members regularly appear in “Best of” lawyer rankings and contribute back to the profession through membership in legal associations and frequently sharing their expertise as CLE instructors.
We are a national club with our home-base in Minnesota and members across the country. We ride virtually every make and model of bike, although a majority ride Harleys. Our common passion for motorcycling provides a unique bond within the legal community.
In addition to our primary purpose of enjoying the pure fun and freedom of riding, we engage in other related pursuits. The Club and its members raise and have donated money to and for charities, including Lawyers Concerned for Lawyers, Hope Chest for Breast Cancer, Legal Aid, Lawyers for Literacy, Multiple Sclerosis, Muscular Dystrophy, Autism, Alzheimer’s, and various Veterans’ events and memorials.
Street Legal members are active in many motorcycle rights organizations, including ABATE and NCOM. In Minnesota, our leadership was instrumental in the passage of the first statute in the United States to make it illegal to deny access to any public accommodation to an individual because they are riding a motorcycle or wearing a patch on their back. We have also been involved in combating law enforcement motorcycle profiling.
We are a three patch neutral, non-territorial club. Our center patch is as pictured on this page. The top rocker for all members is “STREET LEGAL” and the bottom rocker is “Diaboli Ipsius.” We are on good terms with all motorcycle clubs and organizations. We are not One-Percenters, but we have friends who are.
SLMC wears as its bottom rocker the phrase, “Diaboli Ipsius,” to draw upon the famous anecdote where a monarch associated lawyers as ‘of the devil himself.’ This and such similar sentiments are tied to the long history of criticism and satire directed at the legal profession — a profession requiring such a level of sophistication and argumentation that it might seem diabolical to one’s frustrated opposition or critics. The message represents the Club’s members’ commitment to being the best lawyers they can be, to helping the underserved, to supporting one another, and to seeking that fine point between power and mercy so often referred to as justice.
History
In 1992, a classified advertisement placed in the local law school newspapers solicited persons interested in starting a lawyer’s motorcycle club. Four guys responded to the ad and met in the William Mitchell Law School Parking lot. After an initial introductory afternoon ride, the group elected its first president for the newly conceived, then-named, ‘Street Legal – Road Lawyer Motorcycle Club.’ For the rest of the early and mid-90s, the Club held monthly rides and set in motion much bigger plans. Early members included Richard “Ditch” Oakes, Todd Andrews, Kevin ‘Stones’ Snell, Chris ‘Klondike’ Brown, John ‘Hawkeye’ Hawks, and John “Road Ranger” Dooley, among others.
Over the past 30+ years, the Club has grown in countless ways, enjoying the input and ideas from so many different lawyers and others working within the legal profession. The monthly rides became a tradition, with some taking on overnight cross-country distances and annual trips to the Black Hills. Activities expanded to sponsorship of continuing legal education seminars, raising money for other charitable organizations, monthly get togethers for members to network, give and get support, and build community, becoming a member of the Minnesota Motorcycle Coalition of Clubs (mnmccoalition.com/member-clubs), etc. More memories than miles have been made within the brotherhood and sisterhood of the SLMC.
Club activities
what we do
We ride bikes
We have a passion for riding motorcycles as often and as far as time, money, and other commitments permit. We do Club Rides at least once each month, led by a member who has planned a ride with great roads, scenery, and some rest stops along the way. Our members often get together in smaller groups at other times of the year for rides as well—whether a week-night jaunt or a weekend long-distance overnighter. We ride virtually every make and model of bike—there’s no bike-shaming in our Club, although a majority rides Harleys. Many members own multiple bikes (although some of them may be fixer-uppers), but our members truly enjoy all things motorcycle.
We support charities
We participate in a variety of charity events, including the Patriot Guard, Hawgs for Dogs, American Cancer Society, fundraisers for injured bikers, the AUSM Ride which raises money for the Autism Society of Minnesota to support a summer camp for children with autism, breast cancer awareness, Lawyers Concerned for Lawyers, etc., etc.
our benefits
why choose us
The Street Legal Motorcycle Club is more than just a group of legal professionals who share a passion for motorcycles—it’s a community that brings together like-minded individuals who value camaraderie, adventure, and professional growth.
Here’s why you should consider joining:
Shared Passion for Riding
Connect with fellow riders who understand the unique thrill of the open road. Whether you’re a weekend cruiser or a long-distance adventurer, the Club offers opportunities to enjoy the ride with others who share your enthusiasm—it does not matter what make of motorcycle you choose to ride.
Professional Networking
The Club creates a unique space for legal professionals to connect outside the office. Build relationships with attorneys, judges, and other legal experts while engaging in an activity you love.
Exclusive Events and Rides
Participate in organized rides, rallies, and events tailored to our community of legal professionals. These experiences are designed to foster lasting friendships and create memorable adventures.
Commitment to Safety and Legality
As legal professionals, we understand the importance of adhering to the law—on and off the road. The Club promotes responsible riding and ensures that all members prioritize safety.
Earn CLEs
Attend Continuing Legal Education seminars put on by the Club’s members at the Annual SLMC Black Hills Motor Classic CLE in Sturgis, SD. Or, if you are a subject matter expert in an area of the law, offer to share your expertise with your fellow brothers and sisters.
Escape and Balance
Life in the legal profession can be intense. Riding offers an unparalleled sense of freedom and a chance to recharge. The Club provides a supportive environment to balance work, play, and personal fulfillment.
By joining the Street Legal Motorcycle Club, you’re not just becoming part of a group—you’re joining a family of legal professionals who know how to ride in style, safety, and solidarity.
Join us today and experience the ride of a lifetime.