Washington County Lawyers

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...

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...

Experienced Minnesota Criminal Defense Attorney Tory Langemo is an experienced criminal defense trial lawyer providing aggressive, experienced, and affordable legal representation to Minnesota residents facing criminal charges. Mr. Langemo is the principal attorney of the law firm Langemo Law, P.A., representing citizens of the State of Minnesota accused of criminal offenses. Prior to beginning his own law firm in 2007, he served four years on active duty in the United States Air Force Judge Advocate General’s Corps (JAG). During his time in the military, Mr. Langemo served both as a prosecutor and defense attorney litigating numerous...

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...

I have been practicing intellectual property law for 25+ years. I have experience representing Fortune 500 clients as well as small businesses and independent inventors. My background is mechanical engineering.

Scott splits his time between our Cannon Falls and Eagan offices handling Civil Litigation, Probate Litigation, Estate Planning, and Business Transaction matters. Scott previously worked full-time while attending law school at Mitchell Hamline School of Law. He knows the value of hard work and will apply those same principles to your current and upcoming legal matters. Prior to practicing law, Scott spent over 10 years as a legal researcher at Thomson Reuters in Eagan, Minnesota. Scott brings a unique and knowledgeable perspective to all legal matters he handles, using his own personal and work experience. This array of experience helps clients...

Art serves as a partner at SiebenCarey, managing the firm's office in Lakeville, Minnesota - one of the fastest growing regions in the Twin Cities metro area. He is actively involved in Distracted Driving Education Campaigns both locally and nationally, having spoken to thousands regarding the dangers involved.

Art is a Senior Certified Senior Civil Trial Law Specialist and his expert insight and proficiency in the courtroom has helped him recover fair compensation for many of his clients who have suffered accidental injury. For example, he won a jury verdict and collected $9 million for a young boy who...

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.

Luke J Blahnik is the founder of Law Firm of Luke J Blahnik. Mr. Blahnik was born in the city of Rochester, Minnesota and graduated from Caledonia High School, in Caledonia, Minnesota. In 1998 he received his Bachelor of Science in History from Winona State University, in Winona, Minnesota. He then went on to receive his Juris Doctor degree from Hamline University School of Law in 2001 and was admitted to practice law in the State of Minnesota in 2002. From 2001 through 2004 Mr. Blahnik was a Judicial Law Clerk for the Koochiching County Courthouse, where he...

Mr. Kishish has practiced law since 1992. He has worked both as an In-House attorney and in Private Practice. He has worked with thousands of clients throughout the years and associates with some of the best law firms in the country. His counseling has ranged from assisting Fortune 500 companies with recovering from class action settlements, to his early work with individuals fighting discrimination issues. It is this background that informs his practice today. Mr. Kishish's knowledge of both sides of the table makes him better able to fight for your interests.

Kirk's practice focuses on helping small and medium size business owners with their legal needs. He seeks to provide cost-effective representation for businesses that have not worked with a law firm in the past. His practice focuses specifically on corporate, contract and real estate matters. Kirk also represents home owner associations in various matters.

Scott Kruger has focused his legal career on assisting people injured by the negligence of others. He understands that the legal process is complicated, and that insurance companies are trying to take advantage of people during stressful times.

Mr. Kruger is dedicated to making the legal system easy to understand in a calm, straightforward manner. Whether you are recovering from your injuries, attending arbitration, or preparing for a court appearance, Mr. Kruger takes the time to explain what to expect to make you as comfortable as possible in stressful situations.

Mr. Kruger attended Carthage College in Kenosha, WI where he earned his...

Graduated from Concordia College Moorhead, MN in 2001 majoring in business administration. Attended the University of North Dakota School of Law with the Juris Doctor in 2004. Erin has been in private practice since 2004.

As a member of the Smith, Paulson, O’Donnell and Associates team, I work with highly skilled attorneys, including a certified real property specialist and a certified labor and employment specialists, to provide comprehensive care to the needs of my clients. I am a seasoned trial lawyer with over a decade of courtroom experience. I welcome complex family law matters including, but not limited to, divorce, child custody, child protection and child support. As a former prosecutor I offer my criminal defense clients aggressive, and highly competent, protection of their constitutional and statutory rights.

Carol has been practicing in the areas of estate planning, probate, real estate, tax and business law for over 25 years.

Free Advice: Do not do the “Monkey Tests” on the side of the road, do not answer any questions without an attorney and never give the cops permission to search your car or anything else for that matter.

I have tried 300+ felony, gross misdemeanor, and misdemeanor cases to jury verdict. At one point I won 12 DWI jury trials in a row in just one jurisdiction alone. I am listed in “The Best Lawyers in America” and am a Life Member to the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers and a founding member of the Minnesota Society for Criminal...

Martin Melang’s diverse background and experience provide him an advantage in understanding all aspects of civil litigation, including creditor/debtor law and Chapter 7 and 13 bankruptcy. Since joining Burns & Hansen, Marty has handled and assisted hundreds of cases across the spectrum of law in state and federal Courts. These cases include real estate, employment, and business disputes. He also regularly assists clients with their financial needs and helps them overcome economic challenges.

Marty graduated with a Juris Doctor degree from the University of Nebraska College of Law in 2003, after completing his Bachelors of Arts degree...

I dedicate my law practice to resolving tax controversies for individuals and businesses. During the past thirty-eight years, I have assisted thousands in federal and state actions. I maintain an AV rating from Martindale Hubbell (more than 25 years), an Avvo rating of 10 (the highest available), and the designation as a Super Lawyer since 1997. I am a frequent lecturer on a variety of tax controversy topics for state and local legal seminars as well as private law firms and accounting firms. My experience extends from audits, administrative appeals, and collection matters through litigating tax issues in...

Erik Hansen is the managing partner at Burns and Hansen, focusing on complex civil litigation, appeals, and business transactions. Erik has over twenty years of experience litigating multi-million dollar, high-stakes complex civil litigation cases in state and federal court in Minnesota and across the country. Erik has successfully argued cases at every level of state court in Minnesota, as well as in multiple federal jurisdictions, both at the district and appellate court levels. Erik has received national awards and recognition for his advocacy on behalf of clients. Erik is an established voice in the Minnesota appellate practice community. He brings a broad...

I have been in private practice since 1983 with primary focus on employment law and employment discrimination of all types. My practice also include civil litigation including personal injury, commercial and probate.

Mr. Sackett decided to become an attorney due to his desire to help others in a meaningful way. Since being admitted to practice law in Minnesota in 2014, Mr. Sackett has been successful in protecting his clients’ interests through foresight, preparation and zealous advocacy. Mr. Sackett has experience in a wide range of civil litigation practice areas including family law, breach of contract, breach of warranty, negligence claims, products liability, construction defect, insurance defense and insurance subrogation. Outside of his law practice, Mr. Sackett enjoys bicycling, golfing, watching movies and reading. He also enjoys taking long walks with...

Frederick A. Bechtold has been an attorney for over thirty years, becoming a member of the Florida Bar in 1990, the Minnesota Bar in 1999, the Wisconsin Bar in 2012, and the bar the United States Supreme Court in 2019. Currently, Fred practices exclusively criminal appeal law in the State of Wisconsin.

Mr. McDonald has established himself as a distinguished attorney in the legal community as the owner and operator of the Law Office of Jerry A. McDonald PLC since 2002. Bringing over two decades of experience to his practice, he specializes in family law, business law, estate planning, probate, and criminal law. His expertise in these areas is a testament to his dedication and comprehensive understanding of the legal system. Besides founding his Minnesota law firm, Mr. McDonald garnered success as a business consultant for over five years, where he honed his skills in strategic planning and client advisement. However, his...

Graciela Bloch is an associate attorney, focusing on real estate litigation, estate planning, probate disputes, and civil litigation. Graciela has significant experience in addressing landlord-tenant disputes, including rent escrow matters, evictions, illegal activity provisions, and local and state ordinance violations. Graciela also has experience drafting wills, documents signing over power of attorney, and health care directives. Graciela is able to guide clients through the delicate process of placing loved ones or vulnerable minors or adults under either guardianship or conservatorship, or otherwise removing them from those constraints if circumstances warrant. Graciela also advocates on behalf of clients in high-conflict probate disputes...

My practice is focused on Chapter 7 and Chapter 13 bankruptcy case for individuals and small business in Minnesota. I have over 20 years of experience representing my clients in a personal and professional manner.

B.S. University of Minnesota, 1984
J.D., Washington University in St. Louis School of Law, 1992