Minnesota Lawyers

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...

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...

As a former entrepreneur, I have experienced first-hand the significant impact that a robust attorney relationship can have on a business owner. My unique experiences provide me with a comprehensive understanding of business operations and an appreciation for the daily stresses that business owners endure. With my background in business formation, contract drafting and review, and real estate development, I am positioned to be a lasting legal partner who genuinely cares about the success of your business. Secure the future of your business and achieve peace of mind. Reach out to me with your existing or new business venture to...

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 have practiced law since 1974. I enjoy working with clients to solve problems. I also work with business clients in bankruptcy and with financing, acquisition and sales. Regardless of whether the client is an individual or a business, I work with individuals to achieve their goals and the goals of their businesses. I love living in northern Minnesota and working in the legal system. I also enjoy travelling, playing guitar and piano, reading and walking. Mel Brooks is my favorite producer/director. My wife and I have three grown sons and volunteer our time in community...

A runner, knitter, deer hunter, mother, wife and attorney living just outside the Twin Cities with her husband (Jason), four children (Esme, Mina, Roland, and Walter), dog (Fletcher), cat (Oreo) and four chickens (Belina, Sandslash, R2D2, and Starlight).

Sarah approaches the practice of law with an emphasis on client service. She learned from her father at a very young age that lawyering is about serving your clients first and foremost. What that looks like in practice is a business model that focuses on frequent client communication, availability of the attorney to the client and a teamwork approach between attorney and...

I graduated from Mitchell Hamline School of Law, honored Magna Cum Laude. I received my undergraduate degree from the University of Minnesota in Duluth, honored Cum Laude. I specialize in DWI Defense and Criminal Defense, and have experience with these types of cases. I gained experience both in the Public Defender's offices and with a private law firm before opening my own solo practice.
I specialize in Criminal Defense and DWI. My guiding principles as an attorney include the following:
1) A client's interests come before my own convenience. It's your life and liberty on the line, and when you trust me...

Meagan M. Guptill grew up in Duluth, Minnesota and attended Duluth East High School, where she competed in Student Congress, Speech and Debate, and performed in local theater. Meagan received her Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Wisconsin-Superior, along with her paralegal certificate. She graduated from the University of St. Thomas Law School in 2019. While in law school, Meagan worked at the Kanabec County Attorney’s office, the Isanti County Attorney’s office and the Isanti City Attorney’s Office. While working for three different prosecuting authorities, she gained valuable experience appearing in the courtroom handling bail hearings, restitution...

Hannah M. El-Bashir
Hannah earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in Philosophy from Hamline University in Saint Paul, Minnesota. Following her graduation, Hannah went on to complete her Juris Doctorate at Mitchell Hamline School of Law in St. Paul, MN. During law school, Hannah had extensive courtroom experience as a student certified attorney with the Ramsey County Public Defender’s Office. Hannah also had the opportunity to study arbitration and comparative law at BPP University in London, England.

Following law school, Hannah worked as an Associate Attorney at Ed Shaw Law, a general practice firm in Brainerd, Minnesota. Hannah also worked as a...

Bankruptcy and Consumer Rights Attorney

I have worked with doctors and researched medical issues for many years. Furthermore, my undergraduate background was in life sciences with an emphasis in anatomy and physiology. With this background, I have a thorough understanding of the mechanism of injury. This knowledge allows me to communicate effectively with your doctor and to cross–examine opposing medical experts on the witness stand.

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...

As an estate planning, elder law and estate administration (probate) attorney I understand that every family is unique with unique issues and goals. Retain me, and I will help you understand your choices and find the solutions that work best for you and your family. I help my estate planning clients of all ages protect their assets, establish legacies for their families and retain control of their health care decisions. I do this using a variety of powerful estate planning tools, including wills, trusts, powers of attorney, health care directives (living wills) and beneficiary designations. For my estate administration and...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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’m Josh Johnson. I provide first-rate Minnesota legal representation at reasonable rates. I have extensive experience in the 12 counties in and around the Twin Cities Metro area, and have represented hundreds of clients in criminal defense, personal injury and bankruptcy cases. If you have been injured in an auto accident, charged with a crime, or need advice about debt or bankruptcy, call me - initial consultations are always free. I received my Juris Doctorate from William Mitchell College of Law and my bachelor’s degree from the University of Wisconsin – Madison. I am admitted to the Minnesota Bar...

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...

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...

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...

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...

Christopher Jensen is an experienced litigation attorney that has successfully handled civil lawsuits in state, federal, administrative, and appellate courts. He has been honored as a Rising Star attorney, which is a distinction awarded to less than 2.5% of attorneys. He is not afraid to take cases to trial.

He owns and operates The Jensen Litigation Firm, PLLC, which has offices in Shakopee and Litchfield, Minnesota. The firm focuses on litigation that involves business, real estate, banking-lending, and construction disputes.

His mission is to provide clients with outstanding litigation services at a reasonable cost. He enjoys building relationships...

He has worked as an investigator, public prosecutor and private counsel. Mr. Neff has served on the Hennepin County Public Defender's Conflicts Panel, the Hennepin County Juvenile Justice Panel, and various bar association committees. He handles complex litigation including multi-district litigation, wrongful death, large employment cases and qui tam cases.