Modal Samples

I am a Rochester native with over 30 years of experience practicing family law in the Olmsted County and Southeast Minnesota area. I was admitted to practice in 1980. In additionto representing clients in all of the counties in Minnesota’s Third Judicial District, I have represented clients in Goodhue, Blue Earth, and Faribault counties located in the First and Fifth Judicial Districts. I am a graduate of St. Olaf College and Hamline University School of Law.

I have taken particular interest in advocating for the best interest of children. I am a volunteer Guardian Ad Litem, and have extensive experience serving as legal counsel for Guardians Ad Litem. I am a member of Olmsted County’s Children’s Justice Initiative Team, a joint venture of the Minnesota Supreme Court and the Minnesota Department of Human Services in each of Minnesota’s 87 counties to improve the processing of cases and outcomes for children in child protection cases.

I believe that alternative dispute resolution (ADR) provides both parties with the opportunity to achieve a positive outcome through cooperation and respect, while avoiding the financial and emotional burdens that often result from litigation. I have served as an Early Neutral Evaluator and have represented many clients through mediation, arbitration, Social and Financial Early Neutral Evaluations (SENE/FENE), and other forms of ADR.

I am the eldest child of two very active and community minded parents. My father served as legal counsel for a well known medical institution here in Rochester. Although my father has passed, his guidance set the standard by which I treat and interact with clients. My wife of over 30 years, also a Rochester native, and I place great emphasis on family and are extremely proud of our adult daughter. My personal interests extend in many directions, including the pursuit of outdoor activities to the unique experience I have had for almost 40 years presenting licensed professional fireworks displays.