Wood Lake Lawyers

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

Kate is an associate attorney at Keegan Law Office. Kate discovered her passion for criminal defense through personal experiences and finds fulfillment in assisting clients navigate the criminal process. Prior to joining Keegan Law Office, Kate worked as an associate attorney at a Twin Cities law firm. There, she worked with clients facing a variety of state and federal criminal charges, including criminal sexual conduct, assault, murder, and drug offenses. Kate has prepared and helped conduct jury trials, which have resulted in an acquittal of Domestic Assault by Strangulation and a hung jury in a First Degree Criminal Sexual Conduct...

Corwin R. Kruse, Esq.

EDUCATION

J.D., William Mitchell College of Law, St. Paul, Minnesota, magna cum laude
Editor: William Mitchell Law Review

M.A., Pennsylvania State University, University Park, Pennsylvania
Major: Sociology

B.S., University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa
Honors: Dean's List
Major: Sociology

B.B.A., University of South Dakota, Vermillion, SD.

Honors: Dean's List

Major: Business Administration


BAR ADMISSIONS

Minnesota, 2004

U.S. District Court, District of Minnesota, 2005

PRIOR EMPLOYMENT

Katz & Manka, Ltd., Family Law Attorney, 2010-2019

William Mitchell College of Law, Adjunct Professor, 2005-2016

Dorsey & Whitney LLP, Associate, 2005-2009

Minnesota Court of Appeals, Judicial Law Clerk to...

Mike Davey is licensed to practice law in Minnesota. Mike is excited to bring his passion for supporting and helping people to the practice of law. Mike graduated from William Mitchell College of Law. He was a founding member of the William Mitchell Journal of Law & Practice. He participated in developing the Journal's Business Plan and served as a member of its editorial staff. Mike helped organize The Journal's first symposium: "No Strings Attached, Regulating Judicial Campaign Speech: Judicial Elections in the Aftermath of Republican Party of Minnesota v. White." Other facts about...

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...

I'm the owner of Subzero Criminal Defense. I focus my practice on the defense of most serious offenses: murder, sexual assault, domestic assault, and child pornography. The more serious your case, the more important it is to defend your innocence. I'm also the creator of FalselyAccused.com. It's a website devoted to reverse engineering wrongful convictions from the past to help people falsely accused today. If you are falsely accused, there is no better attorney to craft a strategy to combat your false accusations.

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...

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....

Omeed Berenjian is the co-founder of BK Law Group as well as a dedicated attorney for the firm. With more than twelve years of experience, Omeed helps clients with their legal needs by understanding every aspect of a case. He has helped hundreds of clients with an array of legal matters. He believes that every client should have pride, confidence, and trust in the lawyer helping them through their legal battle. According to Omeed, “by understanding clients and their unique legal situation, I believe I can be a better advisor and help them make the most of their case.” Omeed has continuously...

Jay has been a licensed attorney since 1980. He began his career as a public defender before transitioning into insurance defense work where he gained valuable experience and knowledge of the insurance industry and insurance practices. After founding Tentinger Law Firm in 1997, Jay practiced in family law as well as continuing his insurance defense work. Today, Jay focuses his time to working with small businesses and their litigation needs. Jay is a member of the Minnesota, Iowa, and Nebraska State Bar Associations and a no-fault arbitrator for the American Arbitration Association. He is admitted to practice before the...

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...

Ashley M. Beard is a dedicated attorney with a strong background in family law and litigation matters. She is known for her unwavering commitment to advocating for her clients and providing them with personalized and strategic legal representation. Ashley's experience spans across various legal settings, including private law firms, a self-help clinic, and as a certified student attorney, showcasing her versatility and adaptability in handling diverse legal matters. Ashley has successfully handled family law-related matters, such as dissolution, child custody, child support, and parenting time, and provided representation in ex parte proceedings involving allegations of abuse or neglect. Ashley's strategic approach...

I am a family law attorney that helps clients in Minnesota navigate the next step forward in their divorce, custody, paternity, support, harassment (HRO) or domestic violence (OFP) case. I help clients figure out their goals and what would work best for their family within the context of the family law system. I then guide clients in implementing those goals so they can move forward in their lives. I understand how difficult (financially, emotionally, and sometimes even physically) this process can be. I take care of the papers and letters and phone calls that come along with the process so...

Janelle was born and raised in Southern California. She received her Juris Doctor degree from the University of St. Thomas School of Law with honors. During her time in law school, Janelle served as senior editor of the St. Thomas Journal of Law and Public Policy, worked as a student attorney in the Nonprofit Organizations and Elder Law clinics, and volunteered extensively with the Minnesota State Bar Foundation and Wills for Heroes. She currently lives in Eden Prairie with her husband and their five children. In her free time Janelle enjoys creative writing, supporting Minnesota hockey, and spending time outdoors...

Mr. Satre has over 29 years of legal experience practicing almost exclusively in the area of employment litigation. He has litigated numerous, high profile sexual harassment cases involving large parties including: The Stroh Brewing Company; Hooters of America; Pfizer; and many other national and international companies. Mr. Satre is a former Board Member of the Minnesota Chapter of the National Employment Lawyer’s Association. Mr. Satre’s highly esteemed reputation as an authority in the employment area has resulted in him receiving numerous awards. Mr. Satre’s peers have recognized him as a “Super Lawyer” many times...

Susan M. Lach is a shareholder at Tuft, Lach, Jerabek & O'Connell, PLLC and a Rule 114 Qualified Neutral. Ms. Lach practices in all areas of family law, including complex property valuation and division, contested child custody matters, spousal maintenance, child support issues, and antenuptial agreements. Ms. Lach is trained in arbitration, as well as mediation. She is a Financial Early Neutral Evaluator for the Hennepin, Ramsey, Anoka, Washington, and Dakota County District Court Early Neutral Evaluation Programs. Ms. Lach is a Fellow in the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers (AAML) and is past Minnesota Delegate to...

Mike is an experienced workers comp, injury, insurance, and disability attorney who believes his clients deserve a tireless advocate to secure the benefits they deserve. He has recovered millions of dollars in unpaid and denied benefits for his clients. Mike is a graduate of the University of Minnesota Law School, where he specialized in injury law, insurance law, employment law, and employee benefits law. Since graduating, Mike has pursued his client’s disability benefits in hundreds of federal ERISA lawsuits against insurers like Cigna, MetLife, Lincoln, Aetna, Guardian, Standard, Reliance, and Hartford. In addition to fighting for long and short term disability benefits,...

Eric is a partner in the firm and practices in all areas of personal injury law, including wrongful death, car accident, premises liability, product liability, professional negligence and workers’ compensation cases. Eric is licensed to practice law in state and federal court in both Minnesota and Wisconsin.

Eric was born in Duluth, Minnesota. He grew up along the North Shore where he worked in his father's business until he graduated from the University of Minnesota-Duluth, magna cum laude. He spent three years in the Twin Cities and graduated with honors from William Mitchell College of Law in St. Paul....

Attorney Brent Olson is the most recent addition to Lacourse, Poole & Envall, P.A. and has been practicing law in Duluth and the surrounding communities since 2009. Throughout his career he has appeared in every Courthouse in the Sixth Judicial District. He is also licensed to practice law in Wisconsin.

He is a graduate of the University of Minnesota Duluth and received his law degree from the University of North Dakota with distinction. Mr. Olson has previously worked as an Assistant Public Defender for the Sixth Judicial District in Duluth, and as a staff attorney for the Indian Legal Assistance...

Robert E. Dolan has dedicated his legal career to helping people in their time of need. Whether you or a loved one has been injured, or is being accused of a crime, having an experienced attorney help you navigate through these tough times is critical. Robert helps alleviate the stress that these life changing events create and allows you and your family to focus your efforts on getting better. Robert has handled hundreds of injury cases throughout the state of Minnesota, as well as Nationally. Robert understands that if you have been injured it can be...