Kettle River Lawyers

Legal Experience—Solving Complex Business Problems Ms. Lockner is a partner in the firm's business litigation department who works with business leaders facing legal disputes that cause financial exposure and other risks to their business. Using her extensive litigation and trial experience, Ms. Lockner offers strategic legal guidance on how to use litigation—either defensively or affirmatively—to meet their business objectives. As a trial attorney, she has the skills and expertise to wield the threat of trial as a sword, but understands and appreciates her clients’ need to use it only as weapon of last resort. Ultimately, Ms. Lockner’s goal is to further...

Matt is a knowledgeable attorney practicing in the area of family law. Matt blends empathy, practicality, diligence, and respect to advocate for outcomes that serve clients in the long term and defuse tension among families of all types. Matt favors a creative, collaborative, and results-focused practice style and is keenly aware that every case requires its own unique approach. Matt has worked as an attorney editor at Thomson Reuters, as an adjunct professor at Mitchell Hamline School of Law, and as a judicial law clerk to the Honorable Richelle M. Wahi in Dakota County. In addition to judicial duties, Matt assisted...

My education in the law happened at Yale, but before that I graduated from the University of Kansas and a high school in eastern North Dakota, in a class of twenty-five seniors. The variety of that experience has been replicated in my legal work, in which I have represented small- and medium-sized business owners, individuals, and corporate clients in the banking and pharmaceutical industries. Whether the client needs to show the fair valuation of a business, the meaning of a law or regulation, fraud, or the terms of a contract, I bring a careful, intentional approach that seeks to identify the...

HOW I HELP I support employees separating from employment under less than ideal circumstances, provide guidance to business owners experiencing messy business divorces or other legal challenges, and support small employers by providing on-demand employment advice. MY EXPERIENCE AND EXPERTISE I am an experienced trial lawyer--having conducted multiple trials before both state and federal juries. I am also an experienced litigator, negotiator, and advisor with extensive experience in Minnesota's state and federal courts, as well as courts across the country. I have represented both businesses and individuals in wrongful termination, retaliation, discrimination, non-competition, and non-solicitation cases; fought on behalf of companies...

Robert Kouba takes pride in working hard for his clients and delivering successful results. Prior to joining the firm, Robert worked as a criminal defense attorney in Minneapolis, developing his trial advocacy and litigation skills. While in law school, Robert was a member and coach of the Phi Alpha Delta Mock Trial Team, competing nationally, where he gained litigation skills that he continues to use today to serve his clients. Robert is able to put that knowledge and experience to work now for the firm's business, real estate, and consumer litigation clients. He approaches his client's situations with a down-to-earth...

Ms. Kugler practices exclusively in the area of family law. Karen works toward equitable settlements, but is skilled in trial advocacy. Karen discusses the risks and expense of litigation with her clients. She is a knowledgeable, empathetic, and assertive legal advocate and handles all family law issues: spousal maintenance, child support, property division, and custody at the trial and appellate levels. Karen is past Chair of the Minnesota State Bar Association (MSBA) Family Law Section and is a past Co-Chair of the RCBA Family Law Section. She is a frequent writer and speaker regarding family law, co-authoring the Child Support...

Throughout his legal career, Luke Smith has practiced primarily in the area of workers’ compensation. Luke has in the past represented employees, employers, and insurance carriers in all stages of litigation. He now is focused on representing employees in workers’ compensation matters. Luke Smith worked at a law firm that practiced employee-side workers’ compensation throughout law school. He graduated from Mitchell Hamline School of Law in 2016, summa cum laude (highest honors). Luke received several awards for academic performance in law school, participated in law review, and participated in moot court. He represented injured workers in workers’ compensation litigation following law...

I am Charles Gerlach, a solo practitioner serving clients throughout Minnesota. With a background in criminal trial strategy, I have completed over 120 jury trials. My 25 years of experience as a prosecutor now significantly benefits my clients. My practice areas include domestic assault, sexual assault, child abuse, robbery, assault, and driving while impaired. Unlike many firms, Gerlach Law also takes on cases involving traffic citations. I transitioned from prosecution to private practice with a clear goal: to assist individuals in need. I am committed to providing personalized service to each of my clients. When you call my office, you will...

I assist clients with comprehensive estate planning in Minnesota and Wisconsin, which includes sophisticated wealth preservation, transfer, and asset protection techniques. I represent a broad range of clients including young couples or others with modest estates, to farm and business owners, to highly compensated executives.

Kevin Leiran is a skilled, aggressive attorney practicing in the areas of Bankruptcy, civil litigation, probate and estate planning. Call Kevin today for quote.

Kyle Prouty is an experienced family law attorney. Kyle is skilled at providing families with the advice and knowledge needed to go through the family court process in Minnesota. He recognizes that each case brings unique challenges and is passionate about providing tailored legal services to each client.

Kyle graduated magna cum laude from St. Cloud State University. He earned his J.D. from William Mitchell College of Law (now Mitchell Hamline) in St. Paul. Since graduating, Kyle has worked exclusively in family law and has represented clients in the areas of divorce, custody, domestic abuse, third-party custody, and other areas of...

Heimerl & Lammers LLC welcomes Angela Streit as an associate to the firm’s family law department. With her combined 11 years of experience in the legal field, Angela is very knowledgeable in multiple areas of law including family law, appellate litigation, railroad law, motor vehicle accident law, and premises liability. She has settled into her newfound passion for family law.

Before joining Heimerl & Lammers, Angie worked as a judicial law clerk for the Minnesota Court of Appeals. She also has 6 years of experience with an international legal research and publishing company. This work has made her proficient in finding...

Barton C. Gernander is a partner at Burns & Hansen, P.A., who practices in the areas of civil and commercial litigation, with a focus in construction and real estate issues. In addition to representing business clients involved in standard and complex litigation in both state and federal courts, he serves emerging and mid-size companies in a general counsel capacity - assisting clients on achieving business solutions while minimizing exposure to liability. Gernander is licensed to practice law in the state and federal courts in Minnesota, the United States Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals, the United States Eleventh Circuit Court of...

Chantell Bergquist is an associate attorney at Burns and Hansen and focuses on family law and civil litigation. At a young age, Chantell knew that she wanted to become an attorney because she saw the need for empathic attorneys, not the robotic kind of attorneys people generally picture. Before graduating from Bemidji State University, Chantell was already attending Mitchell Hamline School of Law so she could take the fast track into practicing family law. Chantell is also a published author in Mitchell Hamline's Law Review. She is thoughtful and meticulous, leaving no stone unturned as she maneuvers through the case toward...

I was born and raised in Illinois and spent my undergraduate years at the University of Alabama. (Roll Tide!) I graduated in 2020 with a Bachelor’s in Political Science. Afterward, I moved back north to attend the University of Minnesota Law School, where I earned my degree in 2023. I am currently admitted to practice law in the state of Minnesota. During my time in law school, I served as the co-President of the University’s chapter of the American Immigration Lawyers Association. I was also involved with the Latinx Law Students Association (LLSA), OutLaw, and participated in clinics with the Binger...

Jennifer Mortel focuses her practice in the areas of Estate Planning, Wills & Trusts, Probate and Trust Administration. Jennifer endeavors to partner with families to secure their future goals through wills, trusts and other appropriate estate planning. She is a compassionate counselor who helps grieving family members find their way through the probate and trust administration process after the death of a loved one. Jennifer also has extensive experience negotiating top-dollar settlements, as well as handling cases through litigation. Jennifer was a partner at the law firm of Bowden Cyr Mortel, PLLC from 2009-2013 prior to founding Mortel Law, PLLC and...

Susan Bowden Gunst has spent her entire career forcing insurance companies to treat people like they say they do in commercials. She has helped injured people recover medical expenses, wage loss and other damages incurred as a result of car accidents, dog attacks, liquor liability, falls and other injuries as a result of someone else's wrongdoing. Susan has also helped families that are suffering with the loss of a loved one by holding the negligent party accountable.

Susan Bowden Gunst has been selected to Top 50 Women in Minnesota Super Lawyers List in 2016 and 2017. In 2014, 2015, 2016,...

Jim Lindell (University of Minnesota, 1977) is a litigator focused on personal injury cases, including product liability, medical malpractice, wrongful death, liquor liability and workers' compensation. He is a certified civil trial specialist and is AV-rated by Martindale-Hubbell. He is past dean of the Academy of Certified Trial Lawyers of Minnesota. Lindell feels his broad work experience prior to law school, including construction, firefighting, teaching, and service in the U.S. Army, allows him to relate well to his clients of highly varied backgrounds. He practices in Wisconsin as well as Minnesota and is a qualified arbitrator and mediator.

Jerri Adams Belcher is a fearless and tenacious advocate for employees’ rights. She represents individuals who have experienced discrimination, retaliation, and harassment in the workplace. Prior to joining Engelmeier & Umanah, P.A. Jerri litigated and tried employment, insurance, and construction-defect cases. During law school at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, she developed her advocacy skills as a judicial intern for then Chief Justice Shirley Abrahamson of the Wisconsin Supreme Court. Further, she completed externships at the Wisconsin Department of Justice in its Civil Litigation unit, the Milwaukee Metropolitan Sewerage District and the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau in Washington, D.C. Jerri also...

Barry O’Neil is a trial attorney, who is certified as a Civil Trial Specialist by the Minnesota Bar Association. Mr. O’Neil’s practice involves the resolution of complex commercial disputes, professional liability claims, employment-related issues and insurance claims. A significant portion of Mr. O’Neil’s practice is in the area of professional liability defense with emphasis in legal malpractice. Mr. O’Neil is the practice group manager of the firm’s Trials and Litigation Practice Group, and he also heads Lommen Abdo’s entertainment litigation initiative. Mr. O’Neil has extensive experience in employment litigation including all types of employment discrimination claims, and he has additionally acted...

Bart Torvik is a skilled personal injury and foodborne illness attorney, with years of experience in litigation. After graduating at the top of his class from the University of Minnesota Law School, he clerked for Judge James M. Rosenbaum, the Chief Judge of the United States District Court for the District of Minnesota. Following this position, Bart worked at a large Minnesota firm where he handled every aspect of litigation, from initial consultations to jury trials. In 2010, Bart moved to Evanston, Illinois after his wife Laura became a Professor of Genetic Epidemiology at Northwestern University’s Feinberg School of Medicine. In...

I'm a trial lawyer. I'm grateful for the opportunity to fight for justice on behalf of individuals going through hard times against some of the largest corporations in the country.

After law school, I joined the Marine Corps and served as a judge advocate. There's no better training ground for a trial lawyer - I tried over 100 felony and misdemeanor cases. I'm proud of the results I got, including one of the first successful defenses of a Marine discriminated against based on sexual orientation. I deployed to Iraq in a nation building capacity to work with...

Jim has practiced law since 1972 in Minnesota and 1986 in Wisconsin. In addition to his law practice, he is a licensed real estate broker (since 1976). He has served as President (twice) of the South St. Paul Rotary Club and Board of Directors of the St. Paul Heritage and Festival Association. Presently, Jim advises several privately-held companies on matters of initial incorporation and corporate governance. In addition, he counsels clients regarding real estate matters, condemnation proceedings, estate planning alternatives including trusts and wills, and related issues such as elder law, health care directives, powers of attorney,...

I am the Owner and Principal Attorney of Paden Legal Services. Professionally, I have worked in the healthcare industry for over 20 years in various roles such as: Compliance, Medical Staff Services, Behavioral Health, Human Resources, and Finance. My experience in the healthcare industry has shaped my approach to working with clients. Like patients, clients are the center of my focus. I truly enjoy helping my clients and creating solutions for them. I graduated Cum Laude from Upper Iowa University with a bachelor's degree in business administration, and graduated Cum Laude from Mitchell Hamline School of Law with a juris...

Mr. Joseph J. Dudley, Jr. was born in Washington, D.C. in 1945 and has practiced law in the state of Minnesota since 1978. Mr. Dudley served in the U.S Air Force (Vietnam) and graduated from the University of Wisconsin in 1972. He received his law degree in 1977 from Hamline University, in St. Paul, Minnesota. Mr. Dudley is a member of the Ramsey County Bar, Minnesota State Bar, Federal Bar and American Bar Associations. Mr. Dudley’s main areas of practice include Corporate, Commercial Litigation, Franchising, Transportation and Environmental Law. Dudley and Smith, P.A. is a Minnesota law firm practicing in most...

Holden Law Firm, is a private law practice with a focus on Employment Law (for employers and employees), based in the Twin Cities. Holden Law Firm represents employees and small businesses with employment law matters. Holden Law Firm provides legal advice about all areas of employment law, including employment contracts, severance agreements, independent contractor agreements, non-competition agreements, executive contracts, resolving discrimination/harassment employee complaints, discipline, terminations, leaves, wage and hour, employee handbooks and policies, EEOC charges, and other employment law matters. From our office in Minnetonka I serve clients in Minneapolis, Saint Paul and the surrounding communities. Give us a call at 952-943-3960 or...

About Benjamin

Benjamin Tarshish is a partner attorney at the Tarshish Cody law firm. He prides himself on providing his clients with practical legal advice. He is a passionate, aggressive, and ethical lawyer.

Benjamin was raised in a suburb of Minneapolis. He is a graduate from Carleton College in Northfield, MN and received his law degree from William Mitchell College of Law in St. Paul, MN.

Benjamin is licensed to practice law in both Minnesota and Illinois.

Unlike the stereotype for many lawyers and attorneys, Benjamin is outgoing, friendly, and has a sense of humor. This makes working with him on a particular legal...

I have been practicing intellectual property law for 25+ years. I have experience representing Fortune 500 clients as well as small businesses and independent inventors. My background is mechanical engineering.

Teresa grew up in northern Wisconsin on the south shore of Lake Superior, and returns whenever possible to visit family and friends. After graduation from Ondossagon High School, she attended nursing school and practiced as a registered nurse first as a labor and delivery nurse certified in high risk obstetrics, then as an adult critical care nurse in surgical intensive care. Her interest in advocacy for her patients led to a career in law. Teresa devotes her law practice to representing individuals who have been harmed by serious medical errors and medical negligence. She brings a unique blend of...

Many times in life each of us come to a crossroads or encounter an issue in which we need to get legal advice on how best to proceed forward. At such times it is important to obtain guidance from someone who can act like a beacon in a possible sea of doubt or confusion. Mooney Law Office is committed to providing you with top notch legal representation. Mooney Law Office has represented hundreds of clients over the years in the ten county metropolitan area as well as out-state Minnesota. Every client is approached with a focus on integrity, advocacy and understanding....