Christopher Jay Cadem

Chris Cadem concentrates his practice on litigation matters in both civil and criminal cases. His experience includes numerous successful trials and appeals. Chris is also a contract attorney for the Otter Tail County District Court, where he performs work in juvenile delinquency cases, prosecutes appeals for termination of parental rights and other child protection cases, and appears in criminal proceedings as standby defense counsel. Prior to forming Cadem Law Group, Chris practiced at a small Minnesota based law firm where he founded the firm's first civil litigation practice. Prior to that, he worked as the vice president and as legal counsel for an insurance agency located in St. Paul, Minnesota, and an intern lobbyist in Washington D.C. for Lockridge Grindal Nauen P.L.L.P. Chris received his Bachelor of Arts degree in both political science and psychology from the University of Minnesota Morris with Highest Distinction, where he was honored with the prestigious Scholar of the College Award and the Gieske Academic Award. He was also a Phi Kappa Phi honorary and presented independent research on the impact of social identity on voting behavior at the University of Minnesota Research Symposium and at the National Conference on Undergraduate Research in Kentucky. Chris received his law degree, cum laude, from the University of Minnesota Law School. While a student there, Chris was in the Maynard Pirsig Appellate Advocacy Moot Court, where he was awarded honors and was recognized for his section's best appellate brief. He was also selected as a student director of the University of Minnesota Housing Law Clinic and to take part in the Kommerstad Center's Business Law Clinic. During his final year in school, Chris externed with the Honorable Richard H. Kyle of the United States District Court, District of Minnesota. In his practice and personal life, Chris works diligently to have a positive influence in his community and on the lives of the people around him. Chris gives back to his community through multiple volunteer organizations. He is currently an officer of the Fergus Falls Jaycees where he has served as president, vice president of membership, and treasurer. He is also currently the president of the Fergus Falls Lions, the secretary and treasurer of the Otter Tail County Bar Association, and an Ambassador for the Fergus Falls Chamber of Commerce. Chris currently resides in the lakes area with his wife, Elizabeth. In his spare time, he enjoys home renovation and improvement, biking, fishing, weight training, sailing, and woodworking, and has recently started work on a book and screenplay.