Willmar Lawyers

Ben represents businesses and individuals against the Internal Revenue Service, the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development and the Minnesota Department of Revenue in audits, collection cases, court actions, and administrative appeals. With each case he handles, Ben strives to develop practical solutions to achieve the best possible outcomes for his clients.

Staying active in the legal community, Ben is involved with several associations. He is a member and former Chair of the Tax Section of the Minnesota State Bar Association Tax Section (Tax Section). He currently serves as the Legislative Co-Chair for the Tax Law Section. Ben was an...

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...

For more than 15 years, my goal has been to provide quality legal service that creates value for the client. My practice focuses on all aspects of Intellectual Property, including patent preparation and prosecution, trademark registration and contractual matters.

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...

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...

My education in the law happened at Yale, but before that I graduated from the University of Kansas and a high school in eastern North Dakota, in a class of twenty-five seniors. The variety of that experience has been replicated in my legal work, in which I have represented small- and medium-sized business owners, individuals, and corporate clients in the banking and pharmaceutical industries. Whether the client needs to show the fair valuation of a business, the meaning of a law or regulation, fraud, or the terms of a contract, I bring a careful, intentional approach that seeks to identify the...

I practiced criminal law in California for 16 years and continue to practice criminal law in both the State and Federal Courts in Minnesota. I was honored as an attorney of the year from the San Diego Criminal Defense Bar Association in 2002. I have handled and tried cases to juries in everything from petty theft, DWI, and minor drug cases to very serious robberies, burglaries and homicides. I have won numerous cases and most recently won a felony sexual assault appeal and then won the jury retrial in the case in Washington County Minnesota in 2010. I...

I'm a trial lawyer. I'm grateful for the opportunity to fight for justice on behalf of individuals going through hard times against some of the largest corporations in the country.

After law school, I joined the Marine Corps and served as a judge advocate. There's no better training ground for a trial lawyer - I tried over 100 felony and misdemeanor cases. I'm proud of the results I got, including one of the first successful defenses of a Marine discriminated against based on sexual orientation. I deployed to Iraq in a nation building capacity to work with...

Barry O’Neil is a trial attorney, who is certified as a Civil Trial Specialist by the Minnesota Bar Association. Mr. O’Neil’s practice involves the resolution of complex commercial disputes, professional liability claims, employment-related issues and insurance claims. A significant portion of Mr. O’Neil’s practice is in the area of professional liability defense with emphasis in legal malpractice. Mr. O’Neil is the practice group manager of the firm’s Trials and Litigation Practice Group, and he also heads Lommen Abdo’s entertainment litigation initiative. Mr. O’Neil has extensive experience in employment litigation including all types of employment discrimination claims, and he has additionally acted...

Robert Kouba takes pride in working hard for his clients and delivering successful results. Prior to joining the firm, Robert worked as a criminal defense attorney in Minneapolis, developing his trial advocacy and litigation skills. While in law school, Robert was a member and coach of the Phi Alpha Delta Mock Trial Team, competing nationally, where he gained litigation skills that he continues to use today to serve his clients. Robert is able to put that knowledge and experience to work now for the firm's business, real estate, and consumer litigation clients. He approaches his client's situations with a down-to-earth...

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.

Ben has been an associate with Lindell & Lavoie, LLP, since 2004, and he law clerked at the office in the two summers prior to that. Since that time, he has become an integral piece in the firm’s ongoing success. He has a varied practice, primarily focusing on personal injury and workers’ compensation cases, but he loves appellant work and has a special interest in Section 1983 Civil Rights cases. He has recovered millions of dollars for his clients over that period and has been significantly involved in notable and important cases. In 2012, Ben partnered with...

I have assisted in various matters including, but not limited to: - Receivership and Chapter 11 Bankruptcy Reorganizations - Out-of-Court Loan "Workout" Negotiations - Bankruptcy Preference Actions - Administrative Arbitrations and Federal Appellate matters - Real Estate Acquisitions, Sales, Development, and Leasing matters - Drafting and Negotiating Agreements: Supply Agreements, Service Agreements, Software Agreements, Recruiting Agreements, Printing Agreements, Confidentiality and Non-disclosure Agreements, and other business contracts - Merger and Acquisition matters ranging in size from $2MM to $150MM - Trial and Pre-trial Litigation matters - Creating Checklists for Foreign Corrupt Practices Act Compliance - Organizational Documents, Amendments, and Agreements for Corporations, Limited Liability Companies, and Partnerships

Michelle Gibbons practices exclusively on behalf of employees who have been subjected to discrimination, harassment, retaliation, and other unlawful treatment in the workplace. While in law school, Michelle honed her legal skills as Associate Editor-in-Chief of the Mitchell Hamline Law Review. She also worked as a Judicial Law Clerk in Ramsey County district court and completed over 150 hours of volunteer work through the Minnesota Justice Foundation’s Law School Public Service Program.

Zorislav Leyderman moved the U.S. from Ukraine (former Soviet Union) when he was 11 and grew up in St. Paul. He obtained his B.A. degree at the University of Minnesota, where he studied politics and the American criminal justice system. After college, Zorislav continued his education at the William Mitchell College of Law, where he obtained his J.D. and graduated with honors. While in law school, Zorislav Leyderman worked for the Legal Assistance to Minnesota Prisoners (LAMP) Clinic and the William Mitchell Law Clinic, representing low-income people and Minnesota prisoners in both criminal and civil cases. Zorislav also worked for...

Mr. Joseph J. Dudley, Jr. was born in Washington, D.C. in 1945 and has practiced law in the state of Minnesota since 1978. Mr. Dudley served in the U.S Air Force (Vietnam) and graduated from the University of Wisconsin in 1972. He received his law degree in 1977 from Hamline University, in St. Paul, Minnesota. Mr. Dudley is a member of the Ramsey County Bar, Minnesota State Bar, Federal Bar and American Bar Associations. Mr. Dudley’s main areas of practice include Corporate, Commercial Litigation, Franchising, Transportation and Environmental Law. Dudley and Smith, P.A. is a Minnesota law firm practicing in most...

Jim has practiced law since 1972 in Minnesota and 1986 in Wisconsin. In addition to his law practice, he is a licensed real estate broker (since 1976). He has served as President (twice) of the South St. Paul Rotary Club and Board of Directors of the St. Paul Heritage and Festival Association. Presently, Jim advises several privately-held companies on matters of initial incorporation and corporate governance. In addition, he counsels clients regarding real estate matters, condemnation proceedings, estate planning alternatives including trusts and wills, and related issues such as elder law, health care directives, powers of attorney,...

Mike Davey is licensed to practice law in Minnesota. Mike is excited to bring his passion for supporting and helping people to the practice of law. Mike graduated from William Mitchell College of Law. He was a founding member of the William Mitchell Journal of Law & Practice. He participated in developing the Journal's Business Plan and served as a member of its editorial staff. Mike helped organize The Journal's first symposium: "No Strings Attached, Regulating Judicial Campaign Speech: Judicial Elections in the Aftermath of Republican Party of Minnesota v. White." Other facts about...

Jay has been a licensed attorney since 1980. He began his career as a public defender before transitioning into insurance defense work where he gained valuable experience and knowledge of the insurance industry and insurance practices. After founding Tentinger Law Firm in 1997, Jay practiced in family law as well as continuing his insurance defense work. Today, Jay focuses his time to working with small businesses and their litigation needs. Jay is a member of the Minnesota, Iowa, and Nebraska State Bar Associations and a no-fault arbitrator for the American Arbitration Association. He is admitted to practice before the...

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...

Dan joined Gammello, Qualley, Pearson & Mallak PLLC in January 2012 after serving for more than two years as the law clerk for the Honorable David J. Ten Eyck, Judge of District Court, Ninth Judicial District. Prior to serving as Judge Ten Eyck’s Law Clerk, Dan was also a Certified Student Attorney at the Tenth Judicial District Office of the Public Defender located in Stillwater, Minnesota for a year where he represented clients on in-custody arraignment and misdemeanor/gross-misdemeanor pretrial calendars. Since joining the firm, Dan has begun a diverse practice and represents clients in the areas of Real Estate, Corporate...

Mr. Satre has over 29 years of legal experience practicing almost exclusively in the area of employment litigation. He has litigated numerous, high profile sexual harassment cases involving large parties including: The Stroh Brewing Company; Hooters of America; Pfizer; and many other national and international companies. Mr. Satre is a former Board Member of the Minnesota Chapter of the National Employment Lawyer’s Association. Mr. Satre’s highly esteemed reputation as an authority in the employment area has resulted in him receiving numerous awards. Mr. Satre’s peers have recognized him as a “Super Lawyer” many times...

Mr. Hitchcock’s practice is focused on estate planning, contract law and business. He is an acclaimed lecturer on complex estate planning topics and an occasional contributor to the bimonthly newsletter of the Minnesota Podiatric Medical Association. Mr. Hitchcock has two children and resides in Dellwood, Minnesota, with his wife.

Mr. Hitchcock’s estate planning practice is centered on providing complex estate planning services to individuals and families. This includes wills, revocable trusts, marital and support trusts, powers of attorney and health care directives. He has represented thousands of clients in the areas of general estate planning and estate tax planning.

Mr. Hitchcock has...

John retired from the United States Marine Corps as a Gunnery Sergeant after serving twenty-two years in various infantry, artillery and administrative capacities in numerous locations within the United States and around the world. John chaired the initiative to start Veterans Courts in Minnesota and has traveled the country assisting in setting them up. Additionally, John travels the country teaching law enforcement how to deal with veterans in crisis. John was a 2010 Attorney of the Year recipient.

Susan M. Lach is a shareholder at Tuft, Lach, Jerabek & O'Connell, PLLC and a Rule 114 Qualified Neutral. Ms. Lach practices in all areas of family law, including complex property valuation and division, contested child custody matters, spousal maintenance, child support issues, and antenuptial agreements. Ms. Lach is trained in arbitration, as well as mediation. She is a Financial Early Neutral Evaluator for the Hennepin, Ramsey, Anoka, Washington, and Dakota County District Court Early Neutral Evaluation Programs. Ms. Lach is a Fellow in the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers (AAML) and is past Minnesota Delegate to...

Graduated with Honors from William Mitchell College of Law 1983 Founder of Warner Law Office, P.A. 1987 Practice devoted exclusively to employment law.

Paul Godfread is a Minnesota attorney with a practice focusing on trademark, copyright, technology and business law.

Mike is an experienced workers comp, injury, insurance, and disability attorney who believes his clients deserve a tireless advocate to secure the benefits they deserve. He has recovered millions of dollars in unpaid and denied benefits for his clients. Mike is a graduate of the University of Minnesota Law School, where he specialized in injury law, insurance law, employment law, and employee benefits law. Since graduating, Mike has pursued his client’s disability benefits in hundreds of federal ERISA lawsuits against insurers like Cigna, MetLife, Lincoln, Aetna, Guardian, Standard, Reliance, and Hartford. In addition to fighting for long and short term disability benefits,...

Shannon Carey has a passion for the law that runs in the family; she's a fourth generation attorney. Prior to becoming a trial lawyer, Shannon worked in human resources for 10 years. She worked in several industries, including a large health care system and a nationally prominent insurance company. These experiences gave her a thorough understanding of the inner workings of large businesses, providing Shannon a unique perspective when representing her clients. During her legal career, Shannon and her team have successfully represented individuals and families in complex litigations, including, but not limited to, medical...

Justin Duffy is a skilled criminal defense attorney and trial lawyer with The Law Office of John J. Leunig who represents clients in both state and federal court in Minnesota. Mr. Duffy's zealous advocacy on behalf of his clients has resulted in victory at trial, complete dismissals prior to trial, and victory on appeal. He defends clients charged with all levels and types of crimes, including, but not limited to, DWI, assault, theft, drug possession, criminal sexual conduct, prostitution, criminal vehicular homicide, murder, and white collar crimes. For more information on The Law Office of John J. Leunig and Mr....

Paul Downes is a respected trial attorney who combines a client-centered philosophy with recognized legal skill to successfully represent a wide range of personal injury clients. Before joining SiebenCarey, Paul successfully built the personal injury law firm of Meyer & Associates with Helen Meyer, another prominent personal injury attorney who served as a Justice on the Minnesota Supreme Court. At Meyer & Associates, Paul developed a highly personalized level of client service while providing outstanding legal representation. In 2002, he joined SiebenCarey as a partner. Paul was appointed by the MN Supreme Court to serve on...