Top best Family Lawyers in Minneapolis | 122 available

With cross-training in law and social work, Marian E. Saksena brings a unique set of skills to her family and juvenile law practice.  Prior to entering private practice, Marian served as a guardian ad litem and worked as a staff attorney with Children’s Law Center of Minnesota.  Marian remains committed to promoting children’s well-being as she advises and advocates for clients in a wide variety of family and juvenile law matters (e.g., paternity, third party custody, child support, dissolution, domestic abuse, CHIPS & adoption) in both state and tribal courts.  She served on the Minnesota Supreme Court Juvenile Protection Rules Committee and is the past chair of the MSBA Children and the Law Section.  Additionally, she teaches CLEs and devotes time to various volunteer projects.. In addition to representing private clients, Ms. Saksena provides alternative dispute resolution (ADR) services.  These services include mediation, early neutral evaluation, and parenting time expediting (PTE).  Ms. Saksena is on the Minnesota State Court Administrator's roster of qualified neutrals pursuant to Rule 114 of the Minnesota General Rules of Practice.

Trusted Experience. I have practiced family law for over 19 years and have handled hundreds of family law cases.  I understand that it is crucial to identify needs unique to you and your family so that we can focus on achieving your goals.. While always prepared to take your matter to court, because I understand likely outcomes in court, I can better negotiate a favorable settlement without subjecting you to the stress and expense of litigation.. Honest and Compassionate Guidance. I have a passion for what I do – guiding clients through an unfamiliar process during one of the most difficult times of their lives.   I will work closely with you to insure that you understand each step of the process.  I will focus energy and resources to effectively and efficiently resolve your family law matter.. Strong Advocacy and Favorable Results. You need an attorney who will balance zealous advocacy with tempered advice.   You want results that can stand the test of time.    I am committed to resolving your family law matter, either through settlement or litigation, such that you can move forward

Representing a wide range of clients for over a decade, Jillian K. Duffy has the experience necessary to protect your interests. Jill’s practice includes family law, estate planning and general business law. Jill has experience litigating all aspects of family law cases, including divorces, post judgment matters and appeals. Her practice also includes negotiating and drafting prenuptial and postnuptial agreements, as well as assisting clients with step-parent adoptions. Jill has worked with clients in creating estate plans to protect their assets and helped entrepreneurs achieve their business aspirations. Jill constantly strives to obtain practical solutions to her client’s legal issues while remaining a tenacious advocate.. Jill’s reputation for high ethical standards and professional ability among her fellow attorneys has earned her selection for inclusion in Thompson Reuters Minnesota Lawyers Rising Stars for 2013 through 2016 (an honor bestowed on fewer than 5% of attorneys in Minnesota) and Minnesota Super Lawyers for 2017 and 2018.. Jill is a member of the Minnesota State Bar Association, Minnesota Women’s Lawyers’ Association, and Lavender Bar Association. Jill is a Qualified Neutral under Rule 114 and a Certified Family Law Mediator.. Jill obtained her Juris Doctorate degree from William Mitchell College of Law. She completed her undergraduate studies at The College of St. Scholastica in Duluth with a B.A. in Psychology, and received a second B.A. the following year in Criminology from the University of Minnesota-Duluth.

Rachel received her law degree from Georgetown University Law Center.  At Georgetown, Rachel worked as a law tutor for first-year law students and volunteered for a Congressman on Capitol Hill.  Rachel also represented domestic violence victims in Washington, D.C.. Rachel has worked in both large and small law firms, representing a variety of individual and business clients.  Rachel focuses on identifying the needs and goals of the client and then identifying how best to achieve these objectives.  She is a fierce advocate for her clients, but believes that every case is best served by examining the realities of the situation and determining a path that makes economic, emotional, and legal sense.. Outside of Southtown Law, Rachel serves as an Adjunct Professor at William Mitchell College of Law.  She also represents children in foster care as a volunteer attorney for the Children’s Law Center.  Rachel currently serves on the Board of Sejong Academy of Minnesota, whose purpose is to open a Korean immersion charter school in the Twin Cities area.. Rachel is conversational in both German and Spanish.  She is always looking for an opportunity to sharpen her skills in this area.

People need legal guidance during difficult times in life. You may be struggling with the uncertainty of a divorce or child custody dispute. You may be striving to protect your reputation, liberties and immigration status in the face of criminal charges. When such weighty circumstances threaten your peace of mind and future, it is important to seek a strong legal ally who cares deeply about your case.. At the Zajac Law Firm in Minneapolis, Minnesota, family law attorney Kristine Zajac can be that ally for you. She is passionate about helping people like you overcome legal obstacles. She represents clients in a range of practice areas, focusing primarily on family law and criminal defense.. Kristine enjoys spending time with her family, playing basketball and reading.

Patrick C. Burns is an experienced lawyer with a comprehensive practice of real estate, family, and general litigation. Mr. Burns has extensive experience in the courtroom, and is known for his focused and intense advocacy for his clients. He is one of the few attorneys to successfully appeal an intent to revoke a housing license in Hennepin County and regularly represents landlords in all types of leasing, licensing, and litigation matters. He has successfully foreclosed on hundreds of liens and regularly advises homeowners' associations on declarations, amendments, and remedies in collecting dues. He is also an experienced family law litigator with experience in every county in the metropolitan area, and is familiar with all aspects of the legal system in obtaining the best results for his client. In 2006, Mr. Burns set what may be a record for quickest relief before the Minnesota Court of Appeals, obtaining a writ of prohibition three hours after a court hearing in order to stop a child at issue of a custody dispute from leaving the country. He also has wide experience in business organization, election law, and estate planning. Mr. Burns was elected to the Board of the Epilepsy Association of Minnesota in July 2014. Mr. Burns is married, and has three children.

My wife and three children live in Edina, Minnesota.  We are active at our church, Christ Presbyterian Church.  We also enjoy volunteer coaching or participating in our children's extra curricular activities such as skiing, soccer, gymnastics, track & field, lacrosse, piano, orchestra and choir.. I am an Adut Leader is my son's Boy Scout troop.

Melissa J. Nilsson practices exclusively in all areas of family law. Melissa frequently works on cases involving spousal maintenance, child support, child custody, parenting time and the division of assets and liabilities, whether a case involves a non-acrimonious settlement or vigorous litigation. Melissa is able to assist in the division of high net worth marital estates, analyzing complex financial issues, such as business valuation, non-marital tracing and executive compensation valuation. Melissa represents clients in a variety of matters through mediation, arbitration and other alternative dispute resolution processes in order to settle matters, if possible. If a resolution cannot be reached, she strongly advocates for her client through the litigation process. In addition, Melissa has extensive experience with family law appeals if one does not agree with a court’s decision and has the ability to analyze the legal issues and develop creative and persuasive arguments to present to the appellate court. Whether mediating or litigating, Melissa strives to be a calm and considerate advocate for clients during this highly emotional and difficult time in their lives.

Marc Johannsen is admitted to practice in Minnesota state and federal courts, Wisconsin state court.. Marc Johannsen concentrates his practice in the area of family law and leads the firm’s family practice group. He routinely handles divorce/dissolution of marriage and separation proceedings, business valuation issues, custody disputes, parenting time, establishment and enforcement of child support and spousal maintenance, alternative dispute resolution and mediation, domestic abuse hearings, antenuptial agreements, paternity actions, adoption, grandparent rights, post-trial motions and tax aspects of divorce. Marc practices family law in both Minnesota and Wisconsin.. Before joining Lommen Abdo, Mr. Johannsen served as a judicial clerk to the Honorable Doris Ohlsen Huspeni of the Minnesota Court of Appeals and the Honorable Dolores C. Orey of the Hennepin County District Court. Having worked in both the trial and appellate courts, he brings practical knowledge to the litigation process.. He was named as a Top 100 Lawyer by The National Advocates and is rated AV Preeminent® for the highest level of professional excellence by Martindale-Hubbell.. Marc Johannsen was the Mayor of Vadnais Heights from 2011 to 2016 and Acting Mayor from 1998 to 2011. Vadnais Heights was named one of the Top 100 Best Places to Live in America by Money Magazine. Marc is also an active leader in the Boy Scouts. He and his wife have twin teenagers.

Lisa T. Spencer represents clients in all areas of family law, working with her clients to reach resolution and settlement, and litigating only when settlement cannot be attained.  She brings a compassionate approach to the difficult transitions many of her clients face.. Lisa has substantial experience in cases involving complex financial issues including business valuation, executive compensation, intellectual property, and non-marital property.  She helps families create effective parenting plans, specifically suited to each family, with an eye towards minimizing the effects of divorce on children.  Lisa also assists clients in creating premarital and postnuptial agreements that address long-term financial settlement.. She is a member of Henson & Efron’s Management Committee.

Licensed Attorney since 2000 with substantial experience in the area of family law. High premium on ethical practices, rigorous representation and responsive advocacy.

Kendal O’Keefe is a partner with Chestnut Cambronne. She focuses her practice exclusively on family law, including divorce, child custody, interstate and international divorce and child custody matters, paternity, asset and debt division, spousal maintenance, child support, domestic abuse (including Orders for Protection) and Harassment Restraining Orders. Kendal is also a Rule 114 Qualified Neutral and offers mediation services in addition to her litigation practice.. Kendal has been named a Minnesota Rising Star by Super Lawyers for several years. She is also an Adjunct Professor at the University of St. Thomas School of Law, where she teaches Advanced Family Law. She has been invited to speak on a number of topics, including International Service of Process, Interstate and International Child Custody, and Establishing Child Support, among others. Kendal also serves as co-editor of Minnesota CLE’s Divorce Practice Deskbook, a resource for family law practitioners across the state. In addition, Kendal serves as a board member for the Family Law League, a local non-profit organization focused on professional development and promoting collegiality among family law professionals. Kendal’s interest in and passion for helping families developed during law school when she began volunteering for Tubman, a family violence prevention organization. Kendal has continued her involvement with Tubman and regularly volunteers her time to Tubman’s legal clinics for self-represented litigants.. Outside of her law practice, Kendal enjoys spending time with her family, traveling, stand-up comedy, and is a voracious reader.

Kathryn A. Graves practices in the area of family law, litigating in the trial and appellate courts on all family law issues, including custody, child support, third party custody, spousal maintenance, property division and complex valuation issues, and post-decree disputes. She provides Alternative Dispute Resolution services as a Mediator (Qualified Neutral under Minnesota’s Alternative Dispute Resolution – Rule 114), is a Financial Early Neutral Evaluator for Hennepin, Ramsey, and Dakota Counties and is on the roster for Moderated Settlement Conferences in Hennepin, Ramsey and Washington Counties.

Kathleen Korniyenko is an Associate Attorney at Wilson Law Group where she primarily practices family law. Kathleen also has experience representing clients in immigration and criminal proceedings. After graduating from law school, Kathleen clerked for the Honorable Karen Duncan, judge of the Steele County District Court in Owatonna, MN. Kathleen received her Juris Doctor from William Mitchell College of Law, summa cum laude, where she participated in the Rosalie Wahl Moot Court, the Journal of Law and Practice, and was co-chair of the student chapter of the Minnesota Justice Foundation. Kathleen volunteered extensively during law school with the Volunteer Lawyers Network and received an AmeriCorps Equal Justice Works summer fellowship to help provide legal services to Spanish-speaking MN residents. During law school, Kathleen clerked for the Hennepin County Attorney’s Office as well as the Department of Homeland Security – Office of Chief to law school, Kathleen lived and worked for two years in Buenos Aires, Argentina, teaching English to Spanish-speakers. A graduate of Macalester College, cum laude, with a double major in Spanish and English, Kathleen also studied abroad in Argentina and frequently volunteered with English as a second language programs.

Jenny is an attorney at Honsa & Associates, P.A., practicing exclusively in the area of family law.  Jenny represents her clients in all aspects of family law, including prenuptial and postnuptial agreements, divorce, legal separation, custody and parenting time actions, paternity actions, post-decree matters, and orders for protection.. Jenny is committed to solving her clients’ problems by listening carefully to the challenges they face and implementing sustainable solutions.  Jenny enjoys the combination of social and financial issues involved in the practice of family law, and she most enjoys complex asset valuation and non-marital tracing claims.. Jenny graduated summa cum laude from William Mitchell College of Law.  After graduation, Jenny served as a law clerk at the Minnesota Court of Appeals.. Jenny’s personal interests include running, reading, and music.

Jaime Driggs practices family law exclusively, representing clients in cases ranging from simple, uncontested divorces to complex proceedings involving non-marital tracing, business valuation, spousal maintenance, and division of high net worth marital estates. He also advises clients on issues that can arise after divorce such as modification of child support and spousal maintenance and modification of the parenting time schedule/custody arrangement. Where custody or parenting time is involved (whether part of a divorce, custody, or paternity case) Jaime will work to find creative solutions for resolving the issues and minimizing the harmful effects of conflict on children. If a successful settlement cannot be reached through mediation or other methods of alternative dispute resolution, Jaime is committed to professional and thoughtful trial advocacy.

In difficult times of transition, like those facing many family law clients, I work to help my clients make sense of a legal system that can often seem disconnected from the realities of their lives. I believe in working closely with clients to help them understand the range of possible legal outcomes so that together we develop a strategy best tailored to meet the client’s needs and objectives. Often that will include pursuing alternative dispute resolution, but may also require litigation to ensure that the client’s rights are protected and that their voice is heard. At base, my central goal is providing the client with value-added expertise and advocacy, whether in the courtroom or the conference room, so that they can make informed and rational decisions in a challenging time of personal and family change.

I have been practicing in the area of family law for the past 10 years. I am currently practicing exclusively in the area of family law with Carson, Clelland & Schreder.   I have experience representing numerous clients in various family law matters, involving issues such as: physical custody, legal custody, child support, property valuation and division, spousal maintenance, domestic abuse, stepparent adoption and paternity matters.. I approach each case as unique and taylor my representation to the specific client goals.  I approach my client's with compassion and empathy, while also assisting them to remain focused on their goals.  My representation tends to be practical and solution focused.

I earnestly strive to provide my clients guidance and understanding throughout the representation. I realize when one hires an attorney, it is often because the individual is going through a difficult time in his or her life. To me it is important to develop a level of trust.  My practice focuses on the client, whether it be complex family law issues, sports & entertainment advise and representation and/or entirely litigation oriented. I take the time to listen, validate and truly understand the issue(s) presented from my client's perspective, explain the relevant legal principles I see as applicable, all to create an individualized strategy for each client in order to reach the most favorable outcome.  To date I have been extremely successful with this approach.  If I can be of any assistance to you, please do not hesitate to contact me for a confidential initial consultation.

I am a shareholder in the firm of McGrann Shea Carnival Straughn & Lamb, Chartered, and have practiced exclusively in family law for over 30 years.  I am one of only two Minnesota Diplomates of the American College of Family Trial Lawyers (membership obtained by invitation only, and limited to 100 of the top family law trial lawyers in the country) and am one of only six lawyers in Minnesota certified Family Law Advocate by the National Board of Trial Advocacy. I have a bachelor's degree in child psychology, and specialize not only in custody litigation but also in hight net worth estates with complex dissolution issues, including business valuation, real estate valuation, non-marital tracing, hidden and dissipated assets, spousal maintenance and child support.  I have successfully challenged and circumvented unfair antenuptial agreements, have argued in favor of substantively fair antenuptial agreements and have drafted antenuptial agreements which can withstand challenge.  I am also an experienced advocate of victims of domestic abuse, and served on the board of directors of Cornerstone Advocacy Service from 2002 through 2010.  I have extensive appellate experience, and have participated in some 80 appeals during my career, successfully arguing cases both in the Minnesota Court of Appeals as well as in the Minnesota Supreme Court.  I am a fellow of both the American and International Academies of Matrimonial Lawyers.   I served as Administrative Vice President of the Minnesota Chapter of the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers from 2009 to 2012 and currently serve as the National Delegate to the Board of Governors.  I was the 2002-2003 co-chair of the Hennepin County Bar Association Family Law section.  I have lectured on various family law topics, and also mediate family law cases.

I am a partner with Heimerl & Lammers practicing primarily in the area of family law.

I am a partner at Carson, Clelland & Schreder and have been practicing law for eleven years. I started my law career working in criminal prosecution, which brought me to the Courtroom 3-4 days per week, giving me a unique comfort appearing in front of the bench that many civil practioneers do not gain. My practice has now transitioned and focuses primarily on families and their legal issues.. Working in family law my desire is to advocate for my clients, applying a sensible, pragmatic and cost-effective approach. The goal is for clients to have control of the outcome of their legal matters, which is espcially important in family matters where the legal issue is their homes, children and financial livelihood. However, I am still able to leverage my courtroom experience when settlement isn't possible and Court involvement is required. I regularly participate in mediation with the goal of minimizing legal costs while still obtaining the outcome my clients desire. My primary areas of practice are divorce, custody and parenting time matters, child support, post-decree issues, and paternity matters. I am also a Rule 114 Qualified Neutral and offer family mediation services.. When I am not working, I enjoy spending time outdoors or chasing my two children. Having a family of my own, enables me to understand how vital the issues my clients are facing.

Helping People Through Life's Transitions - A Family Law practitioner for over thirty-three (33) years, I am passionate about working with families through difficult life transitions. From simple, straightforward divorces, to complex custody and financial litigation, I know that my clients need support and direction on the best steps to take moving forward. My preference is to resolve cases through negotiation and settlement because I believe that families ultimately succeed best if they direct their own future. For those who cannot reach resolution on their own, I am a strong advocate familiar with and experienced in the formal trial process.. A 1988 cum laude graduate of William Mitchell College of Law, I have been named a Super Lawyer since 2002 and a Best Lawyer since 2021.  Our firm was named a Best Law Firm in 2022.  I am a Rule 114 Qualified Neutral mediator, including work in evaluative and Child-Inclusive mediation. I am also trained as a Parenting Consultant, a Parenting Time Expeditor, a personal property arbitrator, and a pet consultant and mediator. Working with the local courts, I am a Financial Early Neutral (FENE) and Social Early Neutral (ENE) evaluator privately and for Anoka, Hennepin, Ramsey, Sherburne, Wright, and Washington counties. A founding member of the Cooperative Practice Network of Minnesota, I continue to serve on its Executive Committee as emeritus, and participate in and have been a speaker at its monthly luncheons.. Helping people through life's transitions in a respectful and self-guided manner is the goal my firm strives for with each client.

Elizabeth is an attorney at Henson Efron in Minneapolis. Her practice is focused exclusively on family law, including divorce, child custody, child support, post-decree matters, domestic violence, and third party custody.. Elizabeth is a Fellow of the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers (AAML), comprised of the top family law attorneys in the nation who are recognized as having the highest levels of knowledge, skill, and integrity. She is board-certified in family law trial advocacy by the National Board of Trial Advocacy. Elizabeth is also a Qualified Neutral under Rule 114 of the Minnesota General Rules of Practice and has frequently worked as a Parenting Consultant, custody evaluator, and court-appointed neutral. A skilled writer and negotiator, she enjoys crafting creative solutions and is always prepared to advocate for her clients and their children both in and out of the courtroom.. Elizabeth graduated cum laude from St. Olaf College and earned her J.D. from the University of St. Thomas, where she was an editor of the Law Journal. She is a Past President of the University of St. Thomas School Alumni Advisory Board.. Before moving her practice to Minnesota, she practiced family law for nearly 12 years in Albuquerque, New Mexico, where she was Managing Partner of her former firm. She is experienced at handling parental child abduction cases and is a member of the International Child Abduction Attorney Network and the Association of Family & Conciliation Courts.. In her spare time, Elizabeth enjoys spending time with her family and is a freelance singer and cellist. She also serves on the Boards of Directors of Breakthrough T1D (formerly JDRF/Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation), Minnetonka Theatre Curtain Call Club, and Lutheran Summer Music.

Carlo practices exclusively in the area of family law. Through his professional experience and the matters of various people close to him, he is fully cognizant of all of the sensitive dynamics that can arise during family law issues.. Family law is an area that is ripe with the potential for emotional stress and conflict for clients. While any legal issue is not one to be taken lightly, quite often family law issues subject individuals to an inordinate amount of emotion and stress. Carlo’s approach is that a large part of his role is to be a shield for his clients, working hard to insulate them from any unnecessary hostility or stress while at the same time providing them with honest, learned advice.. A graduate of Creighton University School of Law, Carlo has taken the Jesuit philosophy of “cura personalis”-Latin for “care of the whole person”- and applied it to his practice. He views clients as individual people and treats them with the utmost courtesy and care.. In what little spare time he has, Carlo spends it with his wife (the love of his life) and their wonderful children. As a New Hampshire native, the majority of Carlo’s summer is spent supporting the Boston Red Sox, although his better half has gotten him to take an interest in the Twins. On mornings when the wind chill is above -10 degrees, you can find Carlo running around the North Metro preparing for one marathon or another.. Areas of Practice. Divorce. Custody/Parenting Time. Child Support. Post-Dissolution. Family Law. Spousal Maintenance. Mediation, arbitration, and evaluative processes representation. Same-sex divorce, dissolution of domestic partnerships, and other LGBT family law issues. Education. Creighton University School of Law, Omaha, Nebraska, J.D.. Emmanuel College, Boston, Massachusetts, B.A. with distinction in the field. Political Science. Bar Admissions. Minnesota. Professional Associations and Memberships. Minnesota State Bar Association, Family Law Section, New Lawyers Section