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Originally from Mahnomen, Minnesota, Jessica first came to the Fargo/Moorhead area to attend college at Minnesota State University Moorhead. She graduated summa cum laude with a Bachelor’s Degree in Paralegal Studies before going on to earn her Juris Doctor from the Creighton University School of Law in 2010.. Jessica began her legal career working at a small law firm in Mahnomen where she first got her start helping people with family law matters. Jessica went back to Omaha for 3 years to work as associate claims counsel at a Fortune 500 company before returning to private practice in Fargo in 2015. Since then, she has specialized in divorce, custody and all other family law matters.. Jessica lives in Fargo with her family. In her spare time, she enjoys spending time with friends and family, golfing, curling, live music, reading and traveling.

Kari joined Gjesdahl Law, P.C. in 2016. She is dedicated to helping families resolve their issues and address their changing needs. Her practice primarily involves divorces, financial issues, parenting terms and schedules, and child support.. Kari is married and has two young children.

Please feel free to visit my "attorney profile" at .  I bring a diverse background to my law practice.  I taught high school, worked as a professional musician, and have completed 3 marathons.. My legal experience includes some of the most high-profile cases in recent history in the southern minnesota/Blue Earth County area.  These cases have included jury trials, extended court trials, contested hearings, expert witness issues, unexplained injuries, wrongful deaths, and other issues.

I am the managing attorney in the Mankato, Minnesota office of Birkholz Law. For more than 40 years, Birkholz Law has been representing Southern and Southwestern Minnesota in the areas of family law, criminal law, real estate, estate planning, and litigation services. I am the son of Dan Birkholz, the founder of Birkholz Law.. I have extensive court room and trial experience. In the last year alone, I have had four criminal jury trials, and 3 of them full acquittals in the defense favor. In addition to the numerous motion hearings, I have tried numerous, several day, extensive and complex family law divorce trials, and a legendary 12 day termination of parental rights trial in Jackson, Minnesota with over 200 exhibits, and over 20 witnesses, which is currently on appeal. I have also obtained numerous trial orders in child custody cases granting parent’s custody of their children, eliminating harassment and orders for protection, and saving clients thousands of dollars in losses.

Helping your legal needs at every turn. Call today for a free consultation.. Andrew comes from a family of attorneys with his dad and uncle still practicing in Iowa. Andrew knew at an early age he wanted to become an attorney be seeing his dad help clients from all walks of life. He understands the need to get to know the clients on a personal level, and is dedicated to providing his clients with the highest legal services and determined advocacy on their behalf.  Andrew now practices family law, estate planning, criminal defense, and bankruptcy.. Andrew is now a Minnesota native after growing up in Sioux City, Iowa. He attented Iowa State University, and then University of St. Thomas School of Law in the Twin Cities.  In law school, he gained numerous practical experiences in the law by working as a Public Defender at Ramsey County, interned at Thomas Reuters Corp., clerked at Hoglund Law Bankrupcty and Social Security Firm, and clerked at Farrish Johnson. In his free time he likes to to run, travel, and spend time with his family and fiance Emilie.

Haylee is a family law attorney who centers her practice around matters involving divorce, separation, parenting rights and responsibilities, child support, pre/post marital agreements, guardianships, and other family related issues. She is committed to taking on any challenge and providing her clients with diligence, empathy, honesty, and reliability. Haylee enjoys making things easier for people and looks forward to assisting through what can often become a difficult and confusing time in someone's life.

Lora has worked in the area of family law since 2011 and has been able to see and experience the process from all angles. Not only has Lora worked in a family law firm setting, she has worked side-by-side a Judicial Officer in family court, and has personal experience as a family law client. As a result, she brings multiple perspectives when representing clients in her own practice. Lora understands that family law matters can be emotionally exhausting, and she has the skills and experience to assist clients in reaching the best resolution in each case for not only her clients, but also their families. That is why Lora dedicates her entire practice to family law.. Lora earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Political Science from Gustavus Adolphus College where she graduated cum laude. She graduated magna cum laude from William Mitchell College of Law. Lora worked with Anne Tuttle at Tuttle Bergeson, P.A. and Tuttle Family Law & Mediation, P.A. for six years, went on to work with Haugen Law Group, PLLC, and eventually started her own practice in 2017, forming Family Law Solutions, PLLC. Whether it is through alternate dispute resolution processes or if necessary, litigation, Lora strives to obtain resolutions that are right for each family.. Lora is currently a member of the First Judicial District Domestic Violence planning committee, and is also a member of the AFCC, Family Law League, Minnesota State Bar Association, and Minnesota Women Lawyers.. Lora grew up in Henderson, Minnesota and now resides in Jordan, Minnesota with her husband and children.

Katie’s clients get realistic, no-nonsense advice from their biggest champion. She is dedicated to guiding them through challenging circumstances to find resolution and balance. Katie offers a calm voice of reason with a thoughtful and proactive vision, and she shares in her clients’ struggles and delights in their successes, of which they have enjoyed many.  Katie practices in the areas of family law, bankruptcy, criminal defense and landlord/tenant disputes. Her experience in multiple practice areas allows her to identify and address issues in cases that can touch many areas of people’s lives.  Katie is also admitted to practice in the U.S. District Court for the District of Minnesota and a Rule 114 Qualified Neutral.

For the past 15 years, Chase L. Andersen has been committed, both personally and professionally, to assisting individuals in need. Following undergraduate school, Chase worked several years in the social services arena as a counselor and then as a social worker. Throughout these experiences, Chase excelled at professionally addressing sensitive matters, advocating for his clients’ rights, and effectively resolving complicated issues.  Chase has worked nearly eight years in the Twin Cities Metro legal community since earning his Juris Doctorate degree (with a Concentration in Litigation and Dispute Resolution) from Drake University Law School.. In his spare time, Chase enjoys running, golfing, bicycling, traveling, and spending time with his friends and family.

Cathryn Schmidt is an experienced and highly regarded family law attorney who draws on more than 20 years of legal experience when representing her clients in domestic relations litigation.  She has been named a “Rising Star” by Minnesota Law and Politics and was recently recognized for her excellence in matrimonial law by selection to the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers. While she is well-versed in settlement negotiation and mediation (she is a qualified mediator), Ms. Schmidt is also an experienced trial attorney and has successfully litigated scores of contested family law matters.. Before joining Collins, Buckley, Sauntry & Haugh, Ms. Schmidt was a partner at Edina’s Swaden Law Offices, where she spent 14 years devoting her practice exclusively to family law.  Her prior experience includes clerking for the Honorable Gordon W. Schumaker and the Honorable John S. Connolly in Ramsey County District Court. Ms. Schmidt assisted Judge Schumaker (now retired from the Minnesota Court of Appeals) in the determination of complex litigation matters, including Minnesota’s landmark silicone breast implant insurance coverage declaratory judgment action.  Following her clerkships, she developed a reputation for excellent trial advocacy as a Ramsey County Public Defender while maintaining a private practice devoted primarily to family law.. Ms. Schmidt is a long-standing member of the Warren E. Burger Inn of Court, a membership of attorneys and judges that promotes excellence in advocacy at the trial and appellate levels of Minnesota’s court system. She volunteers as a mentor and negotiations coach at the University of St. Thomas School of Law.

My practice is limited almost exclusively to family law matters, including divorce, child custody, paternity, third party custody, and child support.  I am committed to providing high caliber representation at an affordable cost, using a family-centered approach to problem solving and strong, no-nonsense advocacy.. I have significant experience working with victims of domestic abuse in proceedings for Orders for Protection, divorce, and child custody.. My immigration practice is limited to working collaboratively with other immigration attorneys to help undocumented immigrant children obtain the necessary court documents for Special Immigrant Juvenile Status.

Serving Minnesota, I offer knowledgeable, experienced, legal services and representation in Real Property, Family, Probate and Appellate areas of practice.  I am dedicated to helping clients meet their goals affordably.  As a small firm, I am able to give absolute, personal attention to your case and your needs.. “Honest, efficient legal services” means I will give the client an honest opinion about their case upfront and throughout representation.  Whenever possible I will attempt to resolve their case without need of the courts and expensive litigation.  This will lessen your stress and save you money.. If a reasonable settlement isn’t possible, I am experienced in litigating cases through trial and appeal.