If you’re reading this, you are in chaos and the world seems like it is upside down. You are the type of person I have dedicated my life to helping, and have helped for the last decade. I am a Minnesota attorney who was born and raised here, and I have been an attorney since 2003.
Are you having a problem in your family?
You may have had enough and need to get out or you may have been served with a divorce, order for protection, demand for child custody or child support. It is normal to be nervous, even scared. The Courts are threatening. They were set up to be that way. You probably have a lot of questions about what will happen, when it will happen and what will things look like at the end. I can help you to sort all this out.
For nearly a decade I have actually worked in the district and appellate courts of Minnesota to help people navigate dissolutions (the fancy word for divorce), child custody, spousal support, child support, third party custody, child protection, and order for protection matters. I have handled these types of matters from start to finish in the district (local) courts and the Court of Appeals.
I was identified as a Top 40 Under 40 Lawyer by the National Trial Lawyers, and was acknowledged as a Top Young Attorney by Super Lawyers two years in a row. I am not one of those big firm lawyers that has never been in front of a judge and charges you everything you have. I work with a team of attorneys and dedicated legal staff at Smith, Paulson, O’Donnell & Erickson to create solutions for my client’s problems.
Have you been accused of a crime?
You may be accused of a serious crime, one that you may not or may have committed. Either way, I can help you. You deserve to have the best representation available.
You may have been charged with a misdemeanor, and people are telling you that it is no big deal. It is a big deal. DWI, Domestic Assault, Theft, and even petty drug or paraphernalia possession can have a major impact on your life and your future.
I also handle gross misdemeanors and felonies of all types. I won’t judge you, because I know you are a good person, even if you have been accused of a controlled substance offense or even a criminal sexual conduct. I have spent nearly a decade the Courts of Minnesota as a trial attorney. My experience has come from helping people like you and fighting to protect your rights and your freedom.
Not every criminal defendant will simply get to walk away. However, I strive to make sure that each of my client’s gets back on their feet and back to their lives as quickly as possible.
I was identified as a Top 40 Under 40 Lawyer by the National Trial Lawyers, and was acknowledged as a Top Young Attorney by Super Lawyers two years in a row. I have been recognized, because I actually practice law out in the field. I don’t hide in some office. I have handled cases from Bemidji to Windom and from Wheaton to Red Wing.
A little bit about me.
I received my Bachelor of Arts degree from Gustavus Adolphus College in St. Peter, Minnesota in 1996 with a major in psychology.
I earned my Juris Doctor degree from William Mitchell College of Law in St. Paul, Minnesota in 2003, and I passed the bar examination and was admitted later that same year.
I am a former city prosecutor and I am licensed to practice law in the Federal District Court for the State of Minnesota and every County and Appellate Court in Minnesota.
I’ve been a member of the Swan River Montessori Parent-Teacher Organization and greatly enjoyed dedicating time to helping the Charter School’s Community with its activities, including Breakfast with the Bunny.
If you go to a Monticello Lion’s event you may well see me there in my Lion’s vest. I’m proud to be part of this pro-community non-profit organization that raises funds to help Monticello and the surrounding communities.
Awards & Honors
• Top 10 under 40, National Academy of Family Law Attorneys, 2016.
• Preeminent 5.0 out of 5, Martindale-Hubbell, 2016.
• "10 Best" 2 Years Client Satisfaction, American Institute of Family Law Attorneys, 2015.
• "10 Best" 2 Years Client Satisfaction, American Institute of Criminal Law Attorneys, 2015.
• Nation's Top One Percent, The National Association of Distinguished Counsel, 2015.
• 2015 Premier 100 Trial Attorney, American Academy of Trial Attorneys, 2015.
• "10 Best" Attorneys for the State of Minnesota, American Institute of Family Law Attorneys, 2014.
• "10 Best" Attorneys for the State of Minnesota, American Institute of Criminal Law Lawyers, 2014.
• Top 40 under 40, The National Trial Lawyers, 2012.
• Rising Star, Super Lawyers, 2010.
• Rising Star, Super Lawyers, 2009.
