Up & Coming Attorneys, Unsung Legal Heroes announced

Minnesota Lawyer is proud to celebrate the rising stars and dedicated professionals who are critical to the success of our legal community. Each year, we shine a spotlight on the standout new attorneys who are already making waves in the legal field, as well as the indispensable legal professionals whose behind-the-scenes work makes success possible.

We are thrilled to announce the 2025 class of Up & Coming Attorneys and Unsung Legal Heroes.

This year’s Up & Coming Attorneys represent businesses, entrepreneurs, workers, immigrants, veterans, and individuals navigating life’s toughest challenges. All are in their first decade of practice and have already distinguished themselves through their talent and commitment to serving clients.

Our Unsung Legal Heroes are the backbone of Minnesota’s law firms and legal departments. These dedicated professionals ensure that the day-to-day work is handled with precision and care. Their vital contributions support their colleagues, strengthen client relationships, and benefit communities across the state.

We look forward to celebrating these exceptional honorees at our annual awards luncheon on Friday, Sept. 12, at The Mosaic in Minneapolis. Congratulations to this year’s Up & Coming Attorneys and Unsung Legal Heroes!

Up & Coming Attorneys

Bethany Anderson

Soule & Stull LLC

Christian R. Barnes

Ballard Spahr LLP

Kiersten M. Batzli, Ph.D.

Fish & Richardson P.C.

Jamie P. Briones

Fafinski Mark & Johnson, P.A.

Hannah Brown

HB Law & Advocacy PLLC

Eder B. Castillo

Hennepin County Attorney’s Office

Marra M. Clay

Merchant & Gould P.C.

Manuel A. Cornell

Dorsey & Whitney LLP

Caitlin Deal

Henson Efron

Farah Famouri

Greene Espel PLLP

Edward (Teddy) J. Fleming, V

Lathrop GPM

Caitlin R. Gehlen

Lathrop GPM

R. David Hahn

Lockridge Grindal Nauen P.L.L.P.

Alyson Hallahan

U.S. Bank

Georgia S. Kellogg

Messerli Kramer

Sarah J. Khoury

Maslon LLP

Eric Kolbeck

Office of the Minnesota Attorney General

Jeremy Krahn

Maslon LLP

Samuel J. LaRoque, Ph.D.

Robins Kaplan LLP

Lindsey Lee

Office of the Minnesota Attorney General

Andrew Leiendecker

Stinson LLP

Bibeane Metsch-Garcia

Ciresi Conlin LLP

Michael Neuberger

Greenberg Traurig, LLP

William R. Paterson

Anthony Ostlund Louwagie Dressen & Boylan P. A.

Josh Peterson

Faegre Drinker Biddle & Reath LLP

Gabriel Ramirez-Hernandez

Norton Rose Fulbright

Alex Schoephoerster

Spencer Fane

Maxwell A. Shapiro

Winthrop & Weinstine, P.A.

Kshithij Shrinath

Greene Espel PLLP

Bailey Twyman-Metzger

Gustafson Gluek PLLC

Bethany J. Venegoni

Taft

Derek C. Waller

Lockridge Grindal Nauen P.L.L.P.

Dillon M. White

Messerli Kramer

Unsung Legal Heroes

Kristen M. Ahart

Ciresi Conlin LLP

Christine Berndt

Robins Kaplan LLP

Criminal Division Legal Assistants (Maria Benton, Jacquelyn, Nora Radtke, Amy Von Feldt, Terri Yang)

Office of the Minnesota Attorney General

Martha Gentilini

Lathrop GPM

Colleen Gessell

Dykema

Kevin Kajer

State of Minnesota Board of Public Defense

Asja Karic Carrera

Jeff Anderson & Associates

Krista Larson

Stinson LLP

Kristin Mapel Bloomberg, Ph.D.

Robins Kaplan LLP

Megan Marcouiller

Saint Paul City Attorney’s Office

Sarah Moen

Gustafson Gluek PLLC

Allie F. Morris

Merchant & Gould P.C

Erin M. Ness

Winthrop & Weinstine, P.A.

Gerardo Orozco Guzman

Office of the Minnesota Attorney General

Julie Ritter

Robins Kaplan LLP

Dustin Russell

Office of the Minnesota Attorney General

Patty Seberson

Ciresi Conlin LLP

Caleb Shields

Robins Kaplan LLP

Sue Sjodahl

Maslon LLP

Katie Snell

Fish & Richardson P.C.

Tiffany Strother

Keller, Woods & Thompson, P.A.

Bridget Thelen

Messerli Kramer

Shannon Wiger

Spencer Fane

Karen Woodward

Faegre Drinker Biddle & Reath LLP