Golden Valley Lawyers

Christa Groshek has excellent experience litigating cases to both judges and juries. She has an exceptional trial record, even getting some cases dismissed on constitutional grounds before trial. She has developed a solid reputation as a Minnesota trial attorney for successfully defending clients against a wide range of charges in criminal court. Christa Groshek graduated Cum Laude from William Mitchell College of Law. During law school, Christa was a law clerk for the Washington County Public Defender's Office where she received her first criminal defense experience. Christa later took a position as the law clerk for the Honorable Thomas Armstrong, Washington County...

Anna graduated from Winona State University with a degree in Law and Society. She then went on to pursue her degree in Paralegal Studies and began working as a litigation secretary. After working in the legal field for 2 years, she went on to pursue her law degree. Anna obtained her law degree from Mitchell Hamline School of Law. During law school, Anna clerked as a certified student attorney for the Washington County Public Defender's Office where she represented clients in bail hearings. After she left Washington County, Anna spent her final year of law school as a law clerk at...

Rajin Singh Olson is a registered Patent Attorney with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office who advises and represents clients on patent, copyright, and trade secret matters. Rajin has worked with teams of experienced lawyers to litigate complex technology disputes both against and on behalf of some of the largest companies in the world. He has experience with matters involving a variety of technologies, including mobile communications, semiconductors, IT network management, video streaming, and powder coating. Rajin’s primary goal is collaboratively achieving optimal business solutions for his clients—whether that means resolving disputes outside formal judicial processes, litigating a case all...

Attending the University of Minnesota, Duluth, Katherine was immediately drawn to the field of criminal justice. After obtaining her Bachelor of Arts degree in Criminology from the University of Minnesota, Duluth, Katherine set her mind on becoming an attorney. Wasting no time, Katherine obtained her law degree from the Mitchell Hamline School of Law. While in law school, Katherine became intrigued with the various aspects of criminal law and the shortcomings of the criminal justice system. She gained valuable knowledge and experience as a certified student attorney at the Anoka Public Defender's Office where she represented clients with misdemeanor and gross...

Bray Dohrwardt is an accomplished attorney with decades of experience representing businesses from start-ups to International Fortune 100 companies. He started his career in one of the Midwest's oldest and largest law firms and spent several years as a business litigator. Eventually, Bray focused his practice on business law and energy law. Bray spent fifteen years leading a large in-house legal, regulatory, and compliance team for one of North America's largest energy companies. Bray has built an impressive career, enabling business growth and commercial success for many startups, private and public organizations, and nonprofits. Bray's passion is partnering with business leaders...

Coley Grostyan is a criminal defense attorney committed to providing high quality, cost effective, and result oriented representation to his clients. Mr. Grostyan prides himself on working passionately and tirelessly for his clients to ensure the best possible outcome is attained. Coley Grostyan practices in the area of criminal defense and represents clients facing a variety of criminal charges such as DWI or DUI, serious felonies, drug charges, theft, assault, appeals, homicide, and more. Coley Grostyan's assertive and passionate approach to the practice of law has successfully resolved a variety of criminal cases for his clients. In addition to vigorously defending...

From low-income families, to high net-worth individuals and small/medium sized businesses, Attorney Franklin prides himself in providing the same high-quality representation to all clients. Having practiced at both AM100 law firms, boutique law firms and working at various states Attorney's Offices, Mr. Franklin confidently addresses the complex aspects of all legal affairs. Additionally, Attorney Franklin deeply understands the relation between client’s corporate, investment, and entrepreneurial interests when assisting clients with legal strategy. As a leader and educator, regularly contributes to industry discussions, participates in regulatory initiatives, and advocates for favorable legal frameworks that promote fairness and justice. Individuals, business...

Melvin R. Welch was born and raised in a small farm town in Minnesota. Following graduation, Melvin attended college at the University of Minnesota, Duluth, before joining the United States Navy in 1996. As a sailor, Melvin learned Russian and served aboard submarines. During his time in service, Melvin finished college and then worked as a translator in the NATO peacekeeping mission to Kosovo, translating for the United States Army and the Russian 13th Tactical Group in Kamenica, Kosovo.

Melvin R. Welch attended the University of Minnesota Law School and graduated in 2007. Melvin's first employ was with...

I graduated from law school in 1977 and was a prosecutor for the next five years. Since 1982, I have practiced exclusively in the area of criminal and DWI defense. I was the 1998-99 President of the Minnesota Society for Criminal Justice. I am a member of the National Association for Criminal Defense Lawyers and have been elected to the National College for DWI Defense. I currently serve on the Board of Directors of the Minnesota Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers. I am the 2013-14 President of the MACDL and I also serve as the chairman of the MACDL...

I am a Minnesota employment law attorney (V. John Ella) practicing in the areas of employment defense, executive law, non-compete and trade secret litigation, breach of duty of loyalty litigation, tortious interference, executive compensation, stock options, defamation, employment contracts, employment agreements, handbooks, drug testing law, privacy law, commission claims, fraud, sexual harassment claims, employment and housing discrimination, ERISA benefits litigation, public accommodations under Title III of the Americans with Disabilities Act and state law, wage and hour compliance, whistleblower and Sarbanes-Oxley claims, professional licensing issues, appeals, manufacturer sales representative contracts, and closely-held corporation and partnership disputes. I am also...

Bryan R. Battina represents businesses and individuals in commercial litigation, real estate litigation, and employment law matters. Bryan, a seasoned litigator and trial attorney, brings passion, tenacity and hard earned wisdom to his advocacy for clients. He is results driven and seeks to efficiently and effectively resolve disputes for his clients. After graduating from William Mitchell College of Law, Bryan worked as an associate in-house counsel with the Beltmann Group Incorporated before becoming a sole practitioner to pursue his passion for trial work. Bryan co-founded Bock & Battina, LLP and later founded Battina Law, PLLC before joining Trepanier MacGillis...

I devote my practice to the aggressive, thorough representation of clients charged with DWI and other crimes in Minnesota. Minnesota's DWI laws have become increasingly complex. The interplay between criminal and civil penalties (loss of driving privileges, license plate impoundment, and vehicle forfeiture) often require an experienced advocate to protect one's interests. I offer all prospective clients a free, in-depth consultation. If you've been charged with DWI or other offense, you're welcome to call me anytime to discuss whether you need, and can benefit from, a private attorney. I charge fixed, reasonable fees that...

Kirk M. Anderson is the founder of Anderson Law Firm, PLLC, and focuses his practice primarily in the areas of criminal defense, personal injury, and appeals. Mr. Anderson has successfully defended criminal charges ranging from petty misdemeanors to felony level offenses in Minnesota, Wisconsin and United States District Court. He has litigated hundreds of civil disputes, and participated in more than 50 appeals.

Prior to his legal career, Mr. Anderson was a television reporter at KSAX-TV in Alexandria, MN, and Sports Director of KVSC-FM in St. Cloud, MN, where he was also the play-by-play announcer for the St. Cloud State University...

James C. MacGillis is a business attorney focusing on the corporate, employment, and litigation needs of entrepreneurs and growing businesses. Jim prides himself on exceeding his clients’ expectations by addressing their legal concerns promptly, efficiently, and effectively. His responsiveness, creativity, and ability to efficiently evaluate, advise, and advocate for his clients has earned him the respect of his peers, as Jim was named a 2006, 2009 and 2010 Rising Star by Minnesota Super Lawyers magazine. Jim graduated from the University of Minnesota Law School in 1997, where he was a managing editor for the Minnesota Law Review. Jim earned a...

Mr. Bittle is a cum laude graduate of William Mitchell College of Law, where he spent two years on the William Mitchell Law Review and took honors in Contracts, Insurance Law, and Labor Law. He earned his undergraduate degree from the University of Minnesota. With a dozen years inside the insurance industry, he will bring the insight and confidence necessary to any personal injury or insurance claim. The bulk of Mr. Bittle's career was spent in the insurance claims area handling personal injury liability claims in multiple U.S. jurisdictions. He has resolved thousands of claims, and negotiated dozens of mediations...

After 15 years of experience working as a prosecutor, I've made the switch to criminal defense because I want to use my skills to help people. I've handled tens of thousands of criminal cases of every kind, and I truly believe I have the skills to help people and make a difference. My goal is to craft a unique and personalized approach to defending every case. Every case and every client are different, with different circumstances, and they should be treated that way.

Nick Sperling has over a decade of experience in business litigation and transactions, nonprofit law, real estate litigation and transactions, and technology/IT law. Nick takes a pragmatic approach to legal representation and focuses on obtaining the best possible results for his clients.

As a criminal defense attorney in downtown Minneapolis, I have successfully assisted many clients in achieving positive outcomes in their criminal cases. I graduated with Cum Laude honors from Mitchell Hamline School of Law, ranking in the top third of my class. My journey in client representation began at the Dakota County Public Defender’s Office during my legal studies, where I gained practical experience and a deep understanding of the criminal justice system through mentorship and hands-on work. After earning my degree from Mitchell Hamline School of Law, I worked as a public defender in Scott County before moving into private...

Rob Shainess is a trial lawyer with a particular focus on resolving real estate, construction, and business disputes. Rob’s clients range from individual property owners to national banks, and everyone in between. Rob is proud to have been named a Rising Star each year from 2012-2017 by Super Lawyers Magazine.

Before founding Capstone Law, Rob spent seven years as a real estate and construction litigator with one of Minnesota’s largest elite law firms. In 2011, Rob set out to start his own firm, believing that he could offer his clients better value if he shed the bloat associated with large firms.

I'm Creig Andreasen, an attorney based in Minneapolis, working at Avisen Legal, P.A., where I focus on real estate and banking law. My career started in residential real estate, which provided me with a solid foundation in guiding clients through intricate processes, from property purchases to securing financial transactions. My practice primarily involves helping landowners with the acquisition, leasing, selling, or financing of real property, as well as advising financial institutions on due diligence, loan documentation, and managing troubled loans. I am a Certified Real Property Specialist, a recognition granted by the Minnesota State Bar Association that highlights my extensive knowledge...

Brendan leads the firm’s labor law practice. He has handled numerous judicial, administative, and arbitration proceedings, including many high-profile appellate cases. Brendan also has drafted legislation and policies adopted by State and Local governments, and he routinely develops cutting-edge organizing strategies for the firm’s union clients. Brendan has served on the Governing Council of the Minnesota State Bar Association’s Labor & Employment Law Section. He also has taught at Northwestern University School of Law, the University of Minnesota Law School, and William Mitchell College of Law. In addition, Brendan has published articles in the American Bar Association Journal of Labor &...

Steve Fields founded Fields Law Firm in 2001 and quickly established a reputation with his Personal Injury clients for being a lawyer who truly cares. After more than 20 years, those clients continue to refer their friends and family whenever they have been injured or become disabled. Fields Law currently handles cases for Personal Injury, Workers’ Compensation, Long Term Disability, Social Security Disability and Consumer Rights and has grown to be one of the largest injury and disability law firms in the nation. Together with his experienced team of legal professionals, Steve ensures clients win their case, maximize their recovery...

Susanne Gad is a renowned advocate for vulnerable and marginalized groups. After a successful, decade-long career as an attorney for the United Nations, Susanne's sister decided to join forces with her sister Sarah and crusade for justice. Susanne is among the most sought-after immigration advocates in the country due to her exceptional track record of success when it comes to asylum status, identifying paths to citizenship, and appealing cases lost by other immigration and human rights attorneys. In fact, a large number of Susanne's immigration clients turned to her in order to fix mistakes caused by their previous immigration...

Beth E. Bertelson is the founder of Bertelson Law Offices, P.A., located in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Focusing her practice on labor and employment law, she represents employees in the Twin Cities metropolitan area and throughout Minnesota in litigation and pre-litigation negotiations in matters involving severance, employment and noncompete agreements, and related issues. Certified as a specialist in labor and employment law by the Minnesota State Bar Association, Ms. Bertelson also mediates employment disputes and has been designated as a "qualified neutral" under Rule 114 of the Minnesota General Rules of Practice for the District Courts. She also assists clients in a...

Carl Christensen founded Christensen Sampel PLLC. Previous to that he clerked for the Honorable Kenneth Sandvik in the Sixth Judicial District, Lake and Cook Counties and had a short stint as a prosecutor in outstate Minnesota. Carl's scholarship includes multiple presentations and publications on foreclosure, collection, and consumer law. As a student, Carl also contributed to various textbooks on intellectual property and domain name law. He acquired his extensive knowledge of intellectual property and domain name law while a student law clerk at the National Arbitration Forum, a ICANN-designated domain name dispute resolution provider. While in law school, Carl's...

Kelly J. Keegan has been lead defense counsel on hundreds of cases of all types and levels, ranging from serious felonies to minor traffic offenses. Additionally, Kelly handles post-conviction matters such as expungement, probation violations, Department of Human Services background study disqualifications, reinstatement of the right to possess firearms, and sentence modification motions. She has represented clients under investigation prior to being formally charged, as well as clients facing grand jury indictment. Kelly is admitted to practice in Minnesota State Court as well as Federal United States District Court for the District of Minnesota. She enjoys working in the courtroom...

The firm’s founder, Thomas R. Hurwitz has practiced law in multiple areas throughout his career. He is highly respected in the legal community for his work in numerous areas. He was chosen by his peers as a “Super Lawyer” – one of Minnesota’s Best Lawyers. Mr. Hurwitz is a member of the Minnesota State Bar Association, the Hennepin County Bar Association, and joined the Minnesota Trial Lawyers Association in 1990. Mr. Hurwitz is listed in Who’s Who in Executives and Businesses and the National Registry of Who’s Who for his work as an attorney. Thomas Hurwitz has received numerous commendations...

I am an associate attorney with the law firm Burns & Hansen P.A. based in the Twin Cities of Minnesota. I primarily practice in the areas of real estate law, contract matters, and civil litigation. I have significant experience addressing landlord-tenant disputes, including evictions, rent escrow matters, illegal activity provisions, and local and state ordinance violations. In civil matters I specialize in cases involving breaches of contract, property disputes, and building contractor cases. I approach my cases with a strategy specifically tailed my clients' circumstances. I am willing and able to advocate for my client's needs, be that by negotiating settlements or...

As a partner at SiebenCarey, Mike has earned a reputation for being a strong advocate for the rights of injured workers. He has achieved success in the areas of workers' compensation, personal injury, and auto accident insurance litigation.

Mike graduated from Hamline University School of Law after working for more than 15 years with government, nonprofit and education organizations. Mike was admitted to the Minnesota State Bar in 1997, the Federal District Court in 2004, and is qualified as a mediator by the Minnesota Supreme Court.

Every year since 2014, Mike has been selected as a Minnesota Super...

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...

"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...

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...

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 am an attorney in private practice since 1973. I have experience in Minnesota State and Federal courts, as well as Minnesota appellate practice. I charge reasonable fees. I have represented hundreds of clients and I have handled a wide variety of client matters since 1973.

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...

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...