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I am an experienced family lawyer practicing in Wayzata, Minnesota.  In my fourteen years of practice, I had a lot of success inside the courtroom, from successfully arguing high net worth asset division, custody and spousal maintenance cases, to succeeding in the Minnesota Court of Appeals.   However, often my greatest successes happen when I can help my client negotiate a fair and final divorce settlement early in the case, saving them time, money and stress.    I work hard to educate my clients about the road ahead, and do my best at the beginning of representation to predict likely outcomes.  Together we look to figure out ways to make the case less contentious at the outset for the benefit of the parties, and when necessary, the children.

Gillian J. Blomquist grew up in California and lived in Arizona and Vancouver, Canada, before adopting Minnesota as her home.. Gillian has worked in the legal field since 1998, starting as a paralegal with the Hennepin County Attorney’s Office, and then working as a family law paralegal while she completed her master’s degree in Public Policy from the University of Minnesota. In Arizona, she worked for the Attorney General’s Office on child protection matters. Upon returning to Minnesota, she spent time working for the 10th Judicial District as a Guardian ad Litem advocating for children in juvenile and family court. As an attorney in Minnesota, she has handled matters as diverse as estate planning, contested probate matters, bankruptcy, family law, and guardianship. Since 2014, she has practiced exclusively family law.. Gillian’s law practice consists of handling matters such as divorce, child custody, parenting time, paternity, child support, spousal maintenance, and other related matters. Gillian believes that an attorney’s role is to provide realistic expectations based on the law, to consider creative ways to solve complex problems, and to reduce client stress by acting as a steady guide through difficult times. While she prefers to work with her clients towards negotiating solid and fair agreements, she also has the skills necessary to advocate for her clients in court when necessary.. Gillian spends her time away from the practice of law raising four busy kids with her husband, running with two energetic dogs, and restoring an old house.

Rebecca has practiced family law for nineteen years, and guided many clients through challenging life transitions – including marriage dissolution, child custody and paternity matters. Rebecca also practices as a family law mediator, and an early neutral evaluator.. Rebecca understands that the amount of legal advising her clients need and the scope of each case is varied, so she customizes her services to meet these needs.  She may serve as a consultant to review legal paperwork or a full representative for a straightforward or a complex matter. Many of Rebecca’s clients have difficult property issues, including closely held businesses, tracing non-marital assets, and cash flow analysis. She also assists clients with child-centered parenting plans that encompass unique family structures.. Rebecca’s marital dissolution practice also includes Collaborative Law clients, all of whom have chosen to focus on settlement rather than litigation. Collaborative Law promotes peaceful resolutions to conflict whenever possible so as not to increase the financial and emotional costs to the parties or children. Rebecca encourages clients to use the Collaborative model as a method of empowerment as well as a vehicle for achieving a more emotionally balanced and fiscally sound outcome for both themselves and their children. Rebecca strives to provide exceptional guidance and advocacy to each one of her clients whether they are parties in a collaborative case, mediation or litigation.

During law school I focused my education on the practice of family law. I have practiced exclusively in the area of family law throughout law school and as a licensed attorney. I use the experience I have gained, and my knowledge of both Minnesota law and the judicial system to give my clients the best opportunity to achieve their goals as they manage both the financial and emotional aspects of going through family transitions and family litigation.. I have been recognized by Minnesota Super Lawyers as a "Super Lawyer" each year since 2020. Prior to earning that designation, I was named as a “Rising Star” each each beginning in  2012.. My practice includes Divorce, Custody, Spousal Maintenance, Paternity, Step Parent Adoption, Complex Marital Estates, and Orders for Protection.. I graduated with a Bachelor of Arts Degree from the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities and a J.D. from William Mitchell College of Law.. I am a member of the Minnesota State Bar Association, Hennepin County Bar Association and Ramsey County Bar Association.

Amanda grew up in Minnetonka, Minnesota and attended the University of Minnesota Carlson School of Management and received a degree in public relations and marketing. During college she enjoyed rowing for the University of Minnesota’s women’s crew team.. After graduating from UST, magna cum laude, Amanda began practice at a small firm in Waconia, Minnesota. There, she spent her time practicing in a wide variety of areas and learned that she most enjoys solving problems for real people: individuals, families and small businesses.. In 2011, Amanda and Katie Hanson opened Bloomgren Hanson Legal with a goal of providing practical people focused legal services. Amanda’s primary practice area and experience is in Family Law assisting parties and parents through divorce and custody matters. Amanda believes the best way to solve problems for families in conflict is by taking a proactive approach in planning and dispute resolution. As an attorney, neutral and expert, Amanda most enjoys working with families to craft resolutions that meet their unique needs without the need for a contested judicial determination. Her litigation experience allows her to effectively and efficiently represent her clients in the court room when other avenues are not successful or the case demands litigation. This experience also provides guidance in her neutral capacity to parties on realistic demands and outcomes of litigation.. Amanda provides attorney services and also acts as a mediator, early neutral evaluator, parenting time evaluator and provides parenting consulting and parenting time expeditor services.. Amanda is involved in the following activities and organizations:. Chaska Rotary Member and Past President (2013)University of St. Thomas School of Law Faculty MentorUniversity of St. Thomas Alumni Board Director (2013-2015, 2017-2019)Minnesota Medal of Honor Memorial Board DirectorChair of Board, Launch MinistryFormer Member of the 8th District Bar Association Ethics Investigation Committee. Amanda was named as a Rising Star by Minnesota Super Lawyers in 2015 and 2016. While only 5% of Minnesota lawyers are selected as Super Lawyers, only 2.5% of Minnesota lawyers are selected each year as Rising Stars.

Heather Y. Hamilton is an associate attorney at Heimerl & Lammers, LLC, having joined the firm in July 2024. Prior to Heimerl & Lammers, Heather has experience at another family law firm in the Twin Cities. Heather has also worked as a law clerk in a private practice family law firm in St. Louis Missouri. Heather has valuable experience with litigation and mediation in all aspects of family law matters, including but not limited to divorce, spousal maintenance, property disputes, child custody, parenting plans, paternity, and child support.. Heather grew up in St. Louis, Missouri, but has found her home in Minnesota. When Heather isn’t practicing law, she likes to read books, hike, and spend time with her dog.

Devoted to providing exceptional legal counsel to individuals and families in the areas of estate planning, probate, elder law, guardianship/conservatorship, and family law.

Christel grew up in Seattle, WA, but has lived in the Pacific Northwest, the Southwest, the Northeast, the Southeast, and have made the Midwest my permanent home.. Christel joined Gjesdahl Law, P.C. in 2015, after clerking for two years with the Cass County District Court. She focuses primarily on divorce and post-judgment issues, paternity, and child custody.. Christel lives in Moorhead with her two cats, and dog. She enjoys traveling and exploring the great outdoors.

I grew up in Minot, North Dakota. I moved to Grand Forks, North Dakota in 1999 and attended the University of North Dakota where I graduated Summa Cum Laude and received a Bachelor of Business Administration degree in 2003. I continued my education and graduated from the University of North Dakota School of Law with distinction in 2006.   I started my legal career as an associate attorney for a small law firm in Grand Forks before moving to Fargo, North Dakota in 2008 where I worked as an associate attorney for Birrenkott Law Office through September of 2010.  I have owned my practice since September, 2010.   I have been practicing law in North Dakota since 2006. I am a member of the North Dakota State Bar Association, the Minnesota Bar Association, and the Cass County Bar Association.In addition to my primary practice areas of family law and estate planning; I am a certified Parenting Investigator, Parenting Coordinator, Guardian Ad Litem, and Qualified Neutral Mediator.

Ben is an attorney specializing in helping people resolve family law issues in Minnesota and North Dakota, including divorce, custody and visitation, child support, spousal maintenance, and adoption. He also assists clients with requesting and defending restraining orders and protective orders. Most important to Ben are understanding clients’ needs and finding creative ways to help clients meet their goals.. Experience. Ben has assisted many clients with trials, hearings, and settlements of all types, in both North Dakota and Minnesota. Prior to private practice, Ben worked for a year and a half as a staff attorney for a District Court Judge in Glencoe, Minnesota, obtaining invaluable insight into how judges think about cases and issues generally, and learning specifically about family law from his supervising judge, who worked as a family law attorney for nearly 25 years. During law school, Ben gained experience as a law clerk for a family law attorney in Minneapolis.. Education. Ben earned his Juris Doctor degree from the University of St. Thomas Law School in Minneapolis, where he earned the Dean’s Award for the top score in his Family Law class. Prior to that, he graduated from the University of Northwestern – St. Paul with a double major.. Personal. Ben met his wife during college. They were married after his first year of law school, and have since celebrated the births of two children. Ben played collegiate football and still enjoys watching and participating in sports including football, hockey, and golf. He also has a penchant for fishing, reading, and documentaries. He and his wife spend their weekends visiting friends and taking their children to events and activities.

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.