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Upper Midwest Law Center

Minnesota Lawyer//March 31, 2025//

Upper Midwest Law Center

Minnesota Lawyer//March 31, 2025//

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From left: Robin Kelleher, James Dickey, Douglas Seaton and Alexandra Howell
From left: Robin Kelleher, James Dickey, Douglas Seaton and Alexandra Howell (Submitted photo)


Upper Midwest Law Center logoUpper Midwest Law Center was founded in 2019 by attorney Douglas Seaton. Seaton is a long-time Minnesota labor and employment attorney who observed decades of public-sector union and left-wing special interest domination of state government.

He observed that citizens and businesses who were wronged had to rely on private parties or pass-the-hat techniques to support their cases — an inefficient system that frequently resulted in windfalls or shortfalls for involved private law firms.

Seaton was inspired to create a center-right, non-profit, public interest law firm that is dedicated to defending constitutional rights, exposing government overreach, and challenging special interest misconduct.

Upper Midwest Law Center (UMLC) has a focus on high-impact litigation, with lawsuits vetted by the Lawyers Advisory Board. It provides pro bono legal representation to individuals and businesses facing unlawful actions.

“We are warriors for justice, defenders of individual liberties, and champions of accountability,” the firms website states.

Avantech Law

Founded four years ago, Avantech Law is an intellectual property and technology law firm serving clients in the Americas, Europe, and Asia-Pacific that’s led by Founder and Partner William Woodford.

Avisen Legal

Avisen Legal was founded seven years ago as “a boutique business law firm comprised of partner-level lawyers representing companies, owners, executives, investors and entrepreneurs throughout the U.S.”

Forsgren Fisher

Founded four years ago by eight attorneys who had built practices elsewhere, Forsgren Fisher makes culture the center of the firm.

Hill Crabb

Hill Crabb was founded in 2019 and is a “boutique law firm dedicated to creating custom legal solutions for individuals, couples and families,” according to its website.

Kemmitt Sanford & Kramer

Mike Kemmitt, Evan Sanford and Patrick Kramer say they aim to ensure that clients with work-related injuries and disabilities receive the benefits they deserve.

Lucere Legal

Early in her career, Lucere Legal’s founding partner Kimberly M. Hanlon “kept noticing that most law practices violate the laws of good business.”

McCurdy Laud

McCurdy Laud, a boutique intellectual property firm, was created by a new mother during the pandemic.

Messick Law, PLLC

Messick Law, PLLC, which has been in business for four years, focuses on trust and estate litigation, probate and trust administration, elder law, real estate, civil litigation and family law.

MJB Law Firm, PLLC

MJB Law Firm is “a boutique law firm focusing on the areas of banking law, under-secured workouts, agri-finance, loss prevention and corporate turnarounds and restructuring.”

Padda Law Group

Co-founded in 2018 by Devan Padmanabhan and Michelle Dawson as a boutique intellectual law firm, Padda Law Group tells potential clients it is “a potent sword or shield for you to wield as you journey toward achieving your highest business goals.”

Poul Haas

Tom Poul and Nancy Haas had worked together for nearly two decades when they launched their boutique government relations firm in 2023.

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