Bird Island Lawyers

My practice is focused on Chapter 7 and Chapter 13 bankruptcy case for individuals and small business in Minnesota. I have over 20 years of experience representing my clients in a personal and professional manner.

Shannon Cook is an attorney with the Minneapolis-based business law firm Bernick Lifson. Her areas of focus include tax law, collections, and creditors remedies. She received her Juris Doctor from William Mitchell College of Law, along with a Law and Business certification. As a student, she was head of the school's Tax Law Society. Before attending William Mitchell College of Law, she earned her Bachelor of Science from University of Minnesota.

Brooke C. Nelson is an attorney at Minneapolis-based law firm Bernick Lifson. At the partnership, she specializes in legal issues related to commercial litigation, real estate, land use, and creditors’ remedies. She received her J.D. from University of St. Thomas in 2007, where she graduated Magna Cum Laude. She is a member of Minnesota Women Lawyers, the Minnesota State Bar Association, the Hennepin County Bar Association, and the Volunteer Lawyers Network.

Guy E. Mattson is a trial lawyer who has been working in personal injury law since 2004. His practice is focused solely on protecting the rights of those injured in accidents or helping those who have lost loved ones due to the carelessness of others. Guy has represented injured clients nationwide, successfully recovering millions of dollars on their behalf. Guy’s core philosophy that every client is somebody’s mother or father, son or daughter, distinguishes him from many other personal injury lawyers who lose sight of the personal loss suffered by clients. Often described by clients as someone who “gets it,” Guy...

As a dedicated family law attorney, and recent nominee as a Super Lawyer - Rising Star in 2024, I am committed to providing compassionate legal representation. I am a Minnesota native. I received my law degree from Mitchell Hamline School of Law in St. Paul, Minnesota. In years prior, I lived in California, where I earned a Master's in Public Policy focusing on Economics from Pepperdine University. I strive to meet the unique needs of each client. Whether through settlement discussion, mediation, or trial, I am committed to advocating for my clients' rights and interests. With this goal in mind, I...

Ms. Molinaro has several years experience practicing tax law, probate/estate administration, estate planning, guardianship/ conservatorship, and HRO/OFP law. Ms. Molinaro strives to provide sensible legal representation to her clients. With litigation experience but also a common sense approach to the law, Ms. Molinaro is an effective advocate both in and out of the courtroom. Ms. Molinaro is licensed to practice in Minnesota, Colorado and North Dakota.

Insurance regulatory, Hipaa privacy law expert.

John C. Lillie, III practices in the areas of criminal defense and civil litigation within Minnesota and the surrounding region. John deals with a wide range of criminal matters, including petty misdemeanor traffic citations, gross misdemeanor DWI allegations and serious felony cases. John also focuses on handling a variety of civil cases, with an emphasis placed on those cases which must be tried. He is very aware of the fact that not all cases will be tried, but he prepares every case as if it will be with incredible attention to detail and leaving no stone unturned in...

Practicing education law on behalf of students for 29 years.

I joined the Government Law department at Barna, Guzy & Steffen in June 2023. With a solid background in criminal law and trial advocacy, I have developed a comprehensive understanding of the legal field through various roles. Prior to my current position, I served as an Assistant Public Defender and a Judge Advocate with the Minnesota Army National Guard for several years. My professional journey also includes several years in private practice, where I represented clients in criminal, civil, and business law matters. In addition to practicing law, I have been an adjunct faculty member at St. Cloud State University, teaching...

Matthew Schaap is a shareholder at Dougherty Molenda and serves on the firm's board of directors. He focuses on personal and business litigation, offering clients seasoned guidance in and out of the courtroom. Starting his career as a Judicial Law Clerk to Judge Elizabeth Hayden in Minnesota, Matthew supported judicial decision-making with crucial research and writing. He gained valuable experience assisting in jury trials across criminal and civil contexts, observing winning trial techniques firsthand. Joining Dougherty Molenda in 2004 post-clerkship, Matthew dedicated his practice to litigation and trial advocacy. He aims to be a zealous advocate, ensuring thorough research on all pertinent...