Swatara Lawyers

Christopher (Chris) Huether joined the firm in October of 2007 and he became a partner in July of 2011. His practice focuses in the areas of estate planning, real estate, consumer bankruptcy, and family law.

He received a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from the University of Minnesota Morris in 2004, and welcomed the opportunity to return to West-Central Minnesota.

Chris is a member of the Alexandria Sertoma Club and the Alexandria City Planning Commission. In his spare time, Chris enjoys hiking Minnesota’s state parks, volunteering with civic groups, reading all types of books, playing basketball, and spending time with his wife,...

Attending the University of Minnesota, Duluth, Katherine was immediately drawn to the field of criminal justice. After obtaining her Bachelor of Arts degree in Criminology from the University of Minnesota, Duluth, Katherine set her mind on becoming an attorney. Wasting no time, Katherine obtained her law degree from the Mitchell Hamline School of Law. While in law school, Katherine became intrigued with the various aspects of criminal law and the shortcomings of the criminal justice system. She gained valuable knowledge and experience as a certified student attorney at the Anoka Public Defender's Office where she represented clients with misdemeanor and gross...

Joseph Maternowski is a shareholder at the Hessian & McKasy firm in Minneapolis practicing in the areas of environmental, real estate and business law. Joe began his legal career in the Minnesota Attorney General's Office where he represented the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency. Joe focuses his private practice on environmental matters arising in real estate and business transactions. Joe has extensive experience with site investigations and cleanups, vapor intrusion assessments, state Brownfields programs and with federal and state environmental agencies. Joe assists real estate and business lawyers and in house counsel on transactions where environmental issues arise....

Jean Paul is a senior attorney at Burns & Hansen. His practice focuses on helping clients through disputed family law matters. Harnessing almost eight years of experience in family law, Jean Paul provides candid advice and empathy to his clients in cases that require creative negotiations, aggressive advocacy, or further investigation. Jean Paul advocates for his client's interests and goals in a cost-effective manner. Prior to joining Burns & Hansen, Jean Paul served as a judicial clerk for Referee Madden at the Hennepin County Family Justice Center, where he learned to analyze complex social and financial issues in family law...

I am a Minnesota employment law attorney (V. John Ella) practicing in the areas of employment defense, executive law, non-compete and trade secret litigation, breach of duty of loyalty litigation, tortious interference, executive compensation, stock options, defamation, employment contracts, employment agreements, handbooks, drug testing law, privacy law, commission claims, fraud, sexual harassment claims, employment and housing discrimination, ERISA benefits litigation, public accommodations under Title III of the Americans with Disabilities Act and state law, wage and hour compliance, whistleblower and Sarbanes-Oxley claims, professional licensing issues, appeals, manufacturer sales representative contracts, and closely-held corporation and partnership disputes. I am also...

Mr. Bittle is a cum laude graduate of William Mitchell College of Law, where he spent two years on the William Mitchell Law Review and took honors in Contracts, Insurance Law, and Labor Law. He earned his undergraduate degree from the University of Minnesota. With a dozen years inside the insurance industry, he will bring the insight and confidence necessary to any personal injury or insurance claim. The bulk of Mr. Bittle's career was spent in the insurance claims area handling personal injury liability claims in multiple U.S. jurisdictions. He has resolved thousands of claims, and negotiated dozens of mediations...

Jacquelyn is a top-rated attorney focusing her practice exclusively in family law. She represents fathers and mothers, husbands and wives, grandparents, and other stakeholders in family law cases. Jacquelyn is motivated to practice in the area of family law by her own childhood. As the daughter of divorced parents, she has personal experience with the struggles that exist when co-parenting and blending families. As a mother of three children herself, she has an intimate understanding of what is at stake for each client. Jacquelyn is dedicated to counseling her clients through the deeply personal - and often complex - issues involved...

Coley Grostyan is a criminal defense attorney committed to providing high quality, cost effective, and result oriented representation to his clients. Mr. Grostyan prides himself on working passionately and tirelessly for his clients to ensure the best possible outcome is attained. Coley Grostyan practices in the area of criminal defense and represents clients facing a variety of criminal charges such as DWI or DUI, serious felonies, drug charges, theft, assault, appeals, homicide, and more. Coley Grostyan's assertive and passionate approach to the practice of law has successfully resolved a variety of criminal cases for his clients. In addition to vigorously defending...

Elizabeth is an attorney at Henson Efron in Minneapolis. Her practice is focused exclusively on family law, including divorce, child custody, child support, post-decree matters, international and domestic parental abduction, and third party custody. Elizabeth serves as a compassionate and fierce advocate for her clients. A skilled writer and negotiator, she enjoys crafting creative solutions and is always prepared to advocate for her clients and their children both in and out of the courtroom. Elizabeth graduated cum laude from St. Olaf College and earned her J.D. from the University of St. Thomas, where she was an editor of the Law Journal. She...

Bryan R. Battina represents businesses and individuals in commercial litigation, real estate litigation, and employment law matters. Bryan, a seasoned litigator and trial attorney, brings passion, tenacity and hard earned wisdom to his advocacy for clients. He is results driven and seeks to efficiently and effectively resolve disputes for his clients. After graduating from William Mitchell College of Law, Bryan worked as an associate in-house counsel with the Beltmann Group Incorporated before becoming a sole practitioner to pursue his passion for trial work. Bryan co-founded Bock & Battina, LLP and later founded Battina Law, PLLC before joining Trepanier MacGillis...

Kirk M. Anderson is the founder of Anderson Law Firm, PLLC, and focuses his practice primarily in the areas of criminal defense, personal injury, and appeals. Mr. Anderson has successfully defended criminal charges ranging from petty misdemeanors to felony level offenses in Minnesota, Wisconsin and United States District Court. He has litigated hundreds of civil disputes, and participated in more than 50 appeals.

Prior to his legal career, Mr. Anderson was a television reporter at KSAX-TV in Alexandria, MN, and Sports Director of KVSC-FM in St. Cloud, MN, where he was also the play-by-play announcer for the St. Cloud State University...

Megan’s practice is centered in probate law, including estate and incapacity planning, guardianships, conservatorships, special needs trusts and probate and trust administration. She is equally comfortable in and out of the courtroom, and has substantial experience representing both professional fiduciaries and nonprofessionals in the administrations of conservatorships, trusts, and probates. Megan thrives on working through the puzzle of applying a client’s individual situation to her detailed knowledge of the law in this area. She has created estate plans for individuals and families from all walks of life. Megan enjoys the challenge of providing a tailored, efficient plan to ensure peace of...

I graduated from law school in 1977 and was a prosecutor for the next five years. Since 1982, I have practiced exclusively in the area of criminal and DWI defense. I was the 1998-99 President of the Minnesota Society for Criminal Justice. I am a member of the National Association for Criminal Defense Lawyers and have been elected to the National College for DWI Defense. I currently serve on the Board of Directors of the Minnesota Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers. I am the 2013-14 President of the MACDL and I also serve as the chairman of the MACDL...

Melvin R. Welch was born and raised in a small farm town in Minnesota. Following graduation, Melvin attended college at the University of Minnesota, Duluth, before joining the United States Navy in 1996. As a sailor, Melvin learned Russian and served aboard submarines. During his time in service, Melvin finished college and then worked as a translator in the NATO peacekeeping mission to Kosovo, translating for the United States Army and the Russian 13th Tactical Group in Kamenica, Kosovo.

Melvin R. Welch attended the University of Minnesota Law School and graduated in 2007. Melvin's first employ was with...

Bray Dohrwardt is an accomplished attorney with decades of experience representing businesses from start-ups to International Fortune 100 companies. He started his career in one of the Midwest's oldest and largest law firms and spent several years as a business litigator. Eventually, Bray focused his practice on business law and energy law. Bray spent fifteen years leading a large in-house legal, regulatory, and compliance team for one of North America's largest energy companies. Bray has built an impressive career, enabling business growth and commercial success for many startups, private and public organizations, and nonprofits. Bray's passion is partnering with business leaders...

Attorney Matthew J. Mankey consistently produces positive outcomes through diligent preparation, open communication and a thorough knowledge of the law. Our team understands the nuances and key points that can turn cases around. We will use expert investigators and independent laboratories to conduct our own tests, collect our own evidence and take a number of other important steps to bolster your defense.

We push the government to prove every aspect of its case. We demand complete disclosure, and we receive the utmost respect from prosecutors and investigators because of the strong reputation we have earned over the years. When we do...

I love what I do! My entire professional career has focused on death, dying, and preplanning. It is not as macabre as you may think! I find peace in helping my clients and their family prepare for the "inevitable"? (death and taxes), and make life's transitions easier.

I help clients navigate estate planning, as they focus on asset growth, to long-term care planning, where the focus shifts to asset preservation and care. After a death occurs, I help resolve contested Will or Trust issues (litigation), counsel on Medical Assistance claims, and guide families through the probate process.

I love facing the challenges...

Erik became a partner at TSR Injury law since 2015. Over the last several years, he has proven himself to be a tireless advocate for his clients and a great asset to the firm. His clients regularly compliment his work and results by referring him their friends, family and co-workers who are in need of legal help following an injury. Erik’s experience includes auto accidents, slip and fall claims, railroad/train accidents, dog bites, premises liability claims, wrongful death actions, and traumatic brain injury claims.

He has been an active member of the Minnesota Association for Justice since 2003 and has served...

Gerard W. Mannion is a criminal defense attorney who cares deeply about the well-being of his clients. With every case he works, Gerard fights tirelessly to ensure that his clients achieve the best outcome possible while establishing lasting connections with everyone involved. Originally from Billings, Montana, Gerard has legal experience spanning across three states that includes judicial clerkship, federal criminal defense, and civil litigation. Gerard also spent multiple years in the banking and restaurant industries before moving to Minnesota to join the Kans Law Firm. Gerard earned a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice from Montana State University – Billings before...

I work exclusively in litigation related mostly to conservatorships, guardianships, power-of-attorney proceedings, trust matters, will contests, exploitation of vulnerable adults, and other probate and elder law matters.

Criminal and DWI Defense; Car Accidents and Serious Bodily Injury cases

We have more than 25 years of experience representing people who have been injured due to legal malpractice, medical malpractice or car accidents.

As a family law attorney, my primary focus is to support clients through the legal process so they may transition into the next chapter of their lives. Prior to representing clients, I worked as judicial law clerk in Hennepin County Family Court. Working side-by-side with judges, I gained an immense understanding of family court procedure, and how judges decide cases. I translate that experience to my practice every day, assisting clients in making the best decisions for their families. I have experience representing clients in all aspects of family law cases, including divorce proceeding, child custody and support matters,...

Pamela Rochlin is a personal injury attorney who is deeply committed to helping injured victims and their families who have been harmed by the wrongdoing of others. She is among the few Minnesota women attorneys who represent injury victims. Pam has worked to maximize recovery for hundreds of individuals through settlement and trial, helping them through a difficult time in their lives. Pam Rochlin handles a variety of cases and injury claims. Practice areas include: -Serious car or truck crashes. -Drunk driving collisions. -Products Liability. -Construction or workplace accidents. -Dog Attacks or...

Founder and Attorney John Meyer found his passion while deployed with the Minnesota Army National Guard in 2011. Working with unemployed soldiers before returning home, John worked hard to help those who wished to start their own businesses chart a path toward success. He carried that passion and focus from the sands of Kuwait and Iraq, through law school, into private practice.

Lisa is an attorney who helps individuals and families apply for immigration benefits, defend themselves in immigration court, and protect their families. Lisa speaks both English and Spanish. Her background in immigration law allows her to understand the sensitivities and provide clients with competent representation. Lisa understands the complexities of immigration law.

Patrick K. Kranz has been a partner with TSR Injury Law since 2018. His practice involves helping those who are injured as a result of a motor vehicle crash, dog bite, slip and fall, premises liability or wrongful death. He has handled a variety of cases, from strictly dealing with the insurance company or when a case is placed into litigation. He understands the difficulties the injured face and tries to make light of a difficult situation. However, he will work hard for his clients to hold wrongdoers responsible and accountable.

Patrick was born and raised in Hastings, Minnesota. He graduated...

Rich is consistently named as a Super Lawyer by Minnesota Law & Politics magazine. Rich focuses his practice on cases involving car accidents, traumatic brain injury (TBI), food poisoning, premises liability, daycare liability, and product liability. He has represented hundreds of victims of various personal injury accidents. Rich has tried numerous cases to a jury with excellent results.

Minnesota Super Lawyers - 2003 – 2018
Rich was first selected as one of the 2011 Minnesota Lawyer Attorneys of the Year. This award is given to just a few attorneys across the State of Minnesota each year and is a great honor.

Rich then...

Lyndsey works for people injured in all types of personal injury claims including car and motorcycle crashes, dog bites, wrongful death, premises liability, and products liability. Lyndsey’s goal is that her clients can make recovery their number one priority while she and her team deal with the insurance companies. Lyndsey works to ensure that her clients understand their rights and the legal process so that they are equipped to make the best decisions for themselves and their families. As a compassionate listener, a critical thinker, and a fierce advocate, Lyndsey works hard to understand what her clients have endured and...

I am a personal injury attorney licensed in Minnesota, Illinois, and Iowa.

Amanda grew up in Minnetonka, Minnesota and attended the University of Minnesota Carlson School of Management and received a degree in public relations and marketing. During college she enjoyed rowing for the University of Minnesota’s women’s crew team. After graduating from UST, magna cum laude, Amanda began practice at a small firm in Waconia, Minnesota. There, she spent her time practicing in a wide variety of areas and learned that she most enjoys solving problems for real people: individuals, families and small businesses. In 2011, Amanda and Katie Hanson opened Bloomgren Hanson Legal with a goal of providing practical people focused...

Jason Wagner serves individuals, families, and businesses in the areas of estate planning, business law, real estate, and farm law. Jason practices law with the Rochester, Minnesota law firm of Wagner Oehler, Ltd., which was founded in 1974. Jason was raised on a farm in Wabasha County. Mr. Wagner received his Juris Doctor degree and business law concentration, magna cum laude, from the University of Minnesota Law School in 2013, and his Bachelor of Arts degree, with high distinction, from the University of Minnesota in 2009. Jason was recognized for his commitment to public service in law...

Jim attended William Mitchell College of Law (now Mitchell | Hamline) from August, 2012 until graduation in January, 2015. Jim focused on courses that teach practical skills of an attorney, including trial skills, negotiation, and mediation. While in law school, he tried three mock jury trials, numerous mock bench trials, and a juvenile certification trial. In his first year of law school, Jim received the Kirwin Award for Legal Professionalism. This award is given once per section each year to the student who most exemplifies what it means to be an attorney. Upon graduation, Jim received the prestigious Student...

Thomas Hagen is partner at Kohlmeyer Law Office Chtd. Mr. Hagen has extensive experience in criminal defense. He has represented individuals throughout Southern Minnesota and the Mankato area. His impressive track record in State and Federal Court is undeniable. His credentials include being named a “Rising Star” by Minneapolis-St. Paul Magazine since 2012. This award is limited to the top 4% of lawyers under the age of 40 in the state of Minnesota. Mr. Hagen also was named one of the top 40 attorneys under the age of 40. Mr. Hagen is...

Aaron’s dynamic background in real estate and finance allows him to guide families and businesses through major transactions and life events.

Aaron provides general counsel services to his clients in all aspects of real estate, corporate governance, business succession and wealth planning. Aaron’s engagements range from representing start-up entrepreneurs in connection with business formation, governance and financing, to the representation of established private business enterprises in evaluating strategic acquisition, divestiture, financing and succession planning initiatives.

Aaron also works with individual clients and families to evaluate and implement strategic personal wealth and estate planning strategies. He helps clients effectively plan for and ultimately...