Breaking the Ice

Feb 13, 2025

Breaking the Ice: Leader seeks more certified trial lawyers

Stephen Tillitt, recently elected executive board dean of the Academy of Certified Trial Lawyers of Minnesota, hopes more attorneys will join the organization.

Feb 5, 2025

Breaking the Ice: Attorney hopes others join pro bono effort

Morgan Richie says working as an immigration project attorney with Volunteer Lawyers Network reminds her of why she went to law school.

Jan 29, 2025

Breaking the Ice: Connections key in cross-border practice

Jeff Muszynski sees himself and Lagom Law, his cross-border law firm, as a connection point for lawyers who primarily practice in Minnesota or Wisconsin.

Jan 23, 2025

Breaking the Ice: Uncertainty means opportunity in lobbying

Experienced government relations attorney Tom Poul says that uncertainty is inherent in the legislative process.

Jan 16, 2025

Breaking the Ice: Greater Minnesota firm’s leader eyes recruiting

Katrina Wass is initially focusing on recruiting with her promotion to managing partner at the greater Minnesota firm of Pemberton Law.

Jan 9, 2025

Breaking the Ice: Previous honorees inspired ‘Outstanding New Lawyer’

Inspiration from past honorees helped motivate Ryan C. McCarthy on the way to receiving the 2024 Outstanding New Lawyer of the Year Award from the Minnesota State Bar Association.

Jan 2, 2025

Breaking the Ice: Defense attorney seeks better records access

Kelly Keegan hopes access to court records will improve for criminal defense attorneys like herself, prosecutors and others working in the courts through the efforts of a new commission she’s helping to lead.

Dec 26, 2024

Breaking the Ice: Housing court efforts earn recognition

District Court Referee Katie Bergstrom heard 10,000 eviction cases and did 500 housing court trial in her 2½ years on the 2nd District bench in Ramsey County.

Dec 12, 2024

Breaking the Ice: Pressing for legal aid for those in ‘critical times’

An 83% raise in state funding for civil legal aid will boost hiring and retention of attorneys and services to clients, according to Fredrikson shareholder Kevin Goodno, who helped advocate for the increase.

Dec 4, 2024

Breaking the Ice: Housing advocate honored for mentoring

Larry McDonough has represented more than 10,000 clients as a legal services and pro bono civil litigation attorney. He’s handled scores of appeals, drafted housing legislation, created housing clinics and taught law school.

Nov 27, 2024

Breaking the Ice: Legal aid ‘best job a lawyer could have’

Geoff Miller had been interested in working in legal aid since law school. After three decades in private practice, he got the opportunity, joining Justice North in 2017.

Nov 21, 2024

Breaking the Ice: ‘Trial by fire’ inspired Mentor Award recipient

Brian Johnson had practiced law for two weeks when a senior partner dropped a file on his desk, said it was up for trial the next week and advised him “don’t (mess) it up.”