Rice County Lawyers

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...

Bankruptcy and Consumer Rights Attorney

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...

Claire believes that explaining law in understandable terms is crucial.

As a former chemist, Claire is meticulous and methodical
Surprisingly, Claire’s background prior to becoming a lawyer was in the technical sciences. She majored in Chemistry at Carleton College, worked at 3M, and later was employed at the Environmental Protection Agency in Washington, D.C. on the international and litigation teams. Her background in the hard sciences fostered her development in becoming a thorough lawyer.

Claire’s family has lived in Rochester for more than a century
Claire has deep roots in this community. Her great-grandparents arrived in Rochester around the turn of the twentieth century....

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...

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.

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...

I am a Rochester native with over 43 years of experience practicing family law in the Olmsted County and Southeast Minnesota area. I was admitted to practice in 1980. In addition to representing clients in all of the counties in Minnesota’s Third Judicial District, I have regularly represented clients in Goodhue, Blue Earth, and Faribault counties located in the First and Fifth Judicial Districts, as well as other judicial districts throughout Minnesota. I am a graduate of St. Olaf College in 1976 and Hamline University School of Law in 1980. I have taken particular interest in...

Charles Clas gained considerable experience in criminal law before he even graduated from law school. He participated in the Misdemeanor Prosecution Clinic at the University of Minnesota School of Law, and served as an instructor and member of the Civil Rights National Moot Court team. Charles also worked as a law clerk at Caplan & Tamburino Law Firm, P.A. before joining the firm as a full time attorney in 2014. Charles has successfully tried many criminal cases for the firm, such as marijuana possession, DWI, felony expungement, and 3rd degree assault. If you need experienced and knowledgeable criminal defense you...

Daniel S. Schleck’s varied career has involved many areas of transactional law including environmental law and policy; renewable energy projects; commercial real estate development; financing and corporate matters; municipal and land use law; and eminent domain proceedings. More specifically, Mr. Schleck has experience in structuring complex transactions and financing packages for all aspects of property development. He has successfully secured significant public grant funds including TIF, PACE and TBRA funds for clients that choose to redevelop contaminated property—using these funds in creative and successful financing structures. As a former city attorney for Mendota Heights, Minnesota, Dan’s unique...

David Tanabe is an attorney in the business litigation group with Messerli Kramer, where he focuses on all aspects of bankruptcy law, business restructuring, and insolvency. His clients include financial institutions, lenders, receivers, asset purchasers, trade creditors, and businesses. He also works closely with transactional attorneys on an array of matters, including sales of assets, financing, real-estate purchases and sales, commercial leasing, and workouts. As a ten-year veteran of the NHL, David understands the importance of teamwork and the power of operating efficiently and cohesively. Whether learning the game from Hall-of-Famers as a 19-year-old first-round draft pick or learning the law...

Christopher D. Jozwiak is a skilled litigator who has won striking victories on behalf of his clients in a diverse range of employment issues. He is a founding partner of Baillon Thome Jozwiak & Wanta LLP and has been recognized as a Rising Star since 2011 and a Super Lawyer since 2014 and was named to the Best Lawyers in America 2018 list for his work in employment law. Chris works tirelessly for his clients in cases involving whistleblower retaliation, sexual harassment, wage and hour violations, reprisal, discrimination, and wrongful termination. He also represents employees and consumers in national class...

I practiced criminal law in California for 16 years and continue to practice criminal law in both the State and Federal Courts in Minnesota. I was honored as an attorney of the year from the San Diego Criminal Defense Bar Association in 2002. I have handled and tried cases to juries in everything from petty theft, DWI, and minor drug cases to very serious robberies, burglaries and homicides. I have won numerous cases and most recently won a felony sexual assault appeal and then won the jury retrial in the case in Washington County Minnesota in 2010. I...

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...

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...

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...

Gillian J. Blomquist grew up in California and lived in Arizona and Vancouver, Canada, before adopting Minnesota as her home.
Gillian has worked in the legal field since 1998, starting as a paralegal with the Hennepin County Attorney’s Office, and then working as a family law paralegal while she completed her master’s degree in Public Policy from the University of Minnesota. In Arizona, she worked for the Attorney General’s Office on child protection matters. Upon returning to Minnesota, she spent time working for the 10th Judicial District as a Guardian ad Litem advocating for children in juvenile and family court. As...

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...

Craig J. Peterson is the founding attorney of The Law Firm of Craig J. Peterson LLC. He provides expert immigration legal advice and services to businesses, universities, hospitals and other organizations as well as individuals seeking employment-related immigration guidance. The firm's services focus on business and employment-related immigration issues, including nonimmigrant visas, permanent residence processes, citizenship applications and other issues. Craig takes great pride with clients to help them understand the full range of available options and chart the best path forward in meeting their needs and pursuing their goals.

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,...

I am an attorney in private practice since 1973. I have experience in Minnesota State and Federal courts, as well as Minnesota appellate practice. I charge reasonable fees. I have represented hundreds of clients and I have handled a wide variety of client matters since 1973.

Mallory Moen is an associate attorney at Hellmuth & Johnson, focusing her practice on Estate Planning, Trust Administration, Probate Administration, and Real Estate matters. She is client-focused and enjoys assisting clients in the preparation of their estate plans and guiding clients through the administration of the estates of their loved ones.

Scott splits his time between our Cannon Falls and Eagan offices handling Civil Litigation, Probate Litigation, Estate Planning, and Business Transaction matters. Scott previously worked full-time while attending law school at Mitchell Hamline School of Law. He knows the value of hard work and will apply those same principles to your current and upcoming legal matters. Prior to practicing law, Scott spent over 10 years as a legal researcher at Thomson Reuters in Eagan, Minnesota. Scott brings a unique and knowledgeable perspective to all legal matters he handles, using his own personal and work experience. This array of experience helps clients...

Ross N. Tentinger is a Twin Cities native who attended the University of North Dakota earning both his Bachelor of Science from the School of Business and Economics, and Juris Doctor from the School of Law, where he graduated cum laude. While in law school, Ross participated in moot court, clerked for multiple Judges in the Northeast Central Judicial District, and clerked for a private attorney Alice R. Senechal, which equipped him with a variety of experiences and knowledge of the practice of law. Ross is licensed to practice law in Minnesota and North Dakota and is a...

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...

Margaret Koberoski was admitted to the Minnesota Bar in 1996 and admitted to practice in the U.S. District Court for the District of Minnesota in 2005. She received her Juris Doctorate degree from Hamline University School of Law. While in Law School, Margaret served as Managing Editor the Hamline Law Review. She is also a graduate of the University of Minnesota where she obtained a B.A. in Spanish and Political Science. Margaret is currently a member of the Minnesota State Bar Association, the National Association of Insurance and Financial Advisors (NAIFA), and Minnesota Women Lawyers (MNL).

Christopher Cain has been practicing in multiple areas of the law in excess of 30 years. The areas include criminal law, appeals, municipal practice, advisory counsel to various governmental departments, criminal defense and family law. Chris served as both a District Ethics Committee Investigator of the Sixth District for five years and as a Vice-Chair and Chair on the Lawyers Professional Responsibility Board for six years. He has tried approximately 100 jury trials to verdict. In addition, Chris has handled over 15 appeals and appeared before both the Minnesota Court of Appeals and the Minnesota Supreme...

Nick practices exclusively criminal defense with a focus in DUI / DWI, assault, and drug charges. Nick is a dedicated and passionate attorney that wants to fight for the best results possible in any criminal case. He understands that no one-size-fits-all approach will work for everyone. His representation is tailored to the individual needs and goals of each client. If the state has charged you with a crime, a good Minnesota criminal defense lawyer is essential. The state has an extraordinary amount of resources at their disposal. Simply put, you cannot fight them alone. In addition to practicing criminal...

Ben represents businesses and individuals against the Internal Revenue Service, the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development and the Minnesota Department of Revenue in audits, collection cases, court actions, and administrative appeals. With each case he handles, Ben strives to develop practical solutions to achieve the best possible outcomes for his clients.

Staying active in the legal community, Ben is involved with several associations. He is a member and former Chair of the Tax Section of the Minnesota State Bar Association Tax Section (Tax Section). He currently serves as the Legislative Co-Chair for the Tax Law Section. Ben was an...