Watonwan County Lawyers

Matthew Schaap is a shareholder at Dougherty Molenda and serves on the firm's board of directors. He focuses on personal and business litigation, offering clients seasoned guidance in and out of the courtroom. Starting his career as a Judicial Law Clerk to Judge Elizabeth Hayden in Minnesota, Matthew supported judicial decision-making with crucial research and writing. He gained valuable experience assisting in jury trials across criminal and civil contexts, observing winning trial techniques firsthand. Joining Dougherty Molenda in 2004 post-clerkship, Matthew dedicated his practice to litigation and trial advocacy. He aims to be a zealous advocate, ensuring thorough research on all pertinent...

I have always had a strong desire to help others. Both of my parents are philanthropic minded and growing up, they taught me & my 8 siblings to remember that not everyone was as fortunate as our family. My family was very rich in compassion and kindness. As I got older, it became clear to me that whatever occupation I chose, I felt a need to help others in the same way that was modeled by my parents. Watching my father run his own small-town law practice, counseling others, taking the time to understand...

I joined the Government Law department at Barna, Guzy & Steffen in June 2023. With a solid background in criminal law and trial advocacy, I have developed a comprehensive understanding of the legal field through various roles. Prior to my current position, I served as an Assistant Public Defender and a Judge Advocate with the Minnesota Army National Guard for several years. My professional journey also includes several years in private practice, where I represented clients in criminal, civil, and business law matters. In addition to practicing law, I have been an adjunct faculty member at St. Cloud State University, teaching...

Criminal defense and immigration attorney.