Up & Coming Attorneys, Unsung Legal Heroes announced

Minnesota Lawyer is honored to recognize the rising talent and dedicated professionals who help drive our legal community’s success. Each year, we highlight the promising young attorneys who are already leaving their mark on the profession, along with the essential legal professionals whose behind-the-scenes contributions make that success possible.

We are excited to introduce the 2026 class of Up & Coming Attorneys and Unsung Legal Heroes.

This year’s Up & Coming Attorneys serve businesses, entrepreneurs, workers, immigrants, veterans and individuals facing some of life’s most difficult circumstances. Each is within their first ten years of practice and has already stood out for their skill and dedication to client service.

Our Unsung Legal Heroes form the foundation of law firms and legal departments throughout Minnesota. These committed professionals keep daily operations running smoothly, with care and attention to detail. Their essential work supports colleagues, builds stronger client relationships and makes a difference in communities statewide.

We look forward to celebrating these exceptional honorees at our annual awards luncheon on Friday, Sept. 11, at Quincy Hall in Minneapolis. Congratulations to this year’s Up & Coming Attorneys and Unsung Legal Heroes!

Up & Coming Attorneys

Caleb Anthony

Ramsay Law Firm, PLLC

Richard H. Bennett

Faegre Drinker

Victor Cedeño

Thompson Hine LLP

Parker Estenson

Jeff Anderson & Associates

Eden A. Fauré

Stoel Rives LLP

Kelly J. Fermoyle

Faegre Drinker

Emma Ritter Gordon

Lockridge Grindal Nauen PLLP

Shashi Gowda

Gustafson Gluek PLLC

Sarah Greening

Larkin Hoffman

Ryan J. Grove

Rogosheske, Rogosheske & Atkins, PLLC

Joseph Heegaard

Ratkowski Law PLLC

Halley F. Huntley

Stoel Rives LLP

Amy A. Johns

Stinson LLP

Kayla Kienzle

Saul Ewing LLP

Rachel S. Kurth

Winthrop & Weinstine, P.A.

Anisha Murphy

Just Law LLC

Sheila Niaz

Norton Rose Fulbright

Katherine A. Nixon

Fredrikson & Byron, P.A.

Julian S. Nunally

Dorsey & Whitney LLP

Serena O’Neil

Spencer Fane

Silas J. Petersen

Larkin Hoffman

Anthony A. Remick

Hellmuth & Johnson

Elizabeth Sammon

Cooperative Will & Trust

Michael L. Sheran

Maslon LLP

Kaylee A. Sill

Norton Rose Fulbright

Matthew J. Smaron

Carlton Fields

Erica Spilde

Norton Rose Fulbright

Taylor R. Stemler

Merchant & Gould

Jessica Swanson

Ballard Spahr LLP

David M. Tanabe

Messerli Kramer

Tash S. Van Lieshout

Fredrikson & Byron, P.A.

Zach Wright

Stinson LLP

Unsung Legal Heroes

Andrew Bartlett

Fish & Richardson P.C.

Terri Beaverson

Stinson LLP

Brian Considine

Messerli Kramer

Erin Dalluge & Therese Gahler

Jeff Anderson & Associates

Sarah Didrikson

Nilan Johnson Lewis

David Doeppel

Messerli Kramer

FMJ Operations and Administration Team (Adam Brown, Sharon Johnson, Daniel Ruzicka, Jeanette Taylor-Reay, Terri Ulku and Nick Vincent)

Fafinski Mark & Johnson, P.A.

Fredrikson Pro Bono Mobilization Team (Tracy Backer, Katy Drahos, Elizabeth Prisby, Beverly Skulratana and Susan Trombley)

Fredrikson & Byron, P.A.

Tracey Grill

Gustafson Gluek PLLC

Lemina Larson

Minnesota Attorney General’s Office

Brendan McInerney

Stinson LLP

Jen Mills

Thompson Hine LLP

Chelsea Noble

Gustafson Gluek PLLC

Alex Nygren

Meyer, Njus, Tanick, Linder & Robbins, PA

Paula Schulze

Minnesota State Bar Association, Hennepin County Bar Association, Ramsey County Bar Association

Joseph Soto

Messerli Kramer

Colin Stephenson

North Star Law PLLC

Katie Webber

Fish & Richardson P.C.