- GuardianshipAfter two and a half years of work, a team of LGN attorneys and paralegals won Permanent Residency for a Rwandan client who was orphaned as a child and fled to the United States to avoid violence in her native country. The team won a unique immigration status for the client called Special Immigrant Juvenile Status, which is granted to only 1,200 orphaned child-immigrants each year. The team successfully argued that the client met the criteria for Special Immigrant Juvenile Status on the basis that she was an orphan and a Minnesota court placed her under the guardianship of a Minnesota relative prior to her becoming 18 years old. LGN volunteered over 450 hours to achieve this victory for the client after the case was referred to LGN by the Advocates for Human Rights.
- Child AbuseThe LGN State Government Relations team secured an additional $1.6 million annual appropriation to support a tribal child welfare program. This program, known as the American Indian Child Welfare Initiative, transfers child welfare services and responsibilities for Indian children living on the reservation from a county based delivery system to a tribal delivery system. Designed to improve child welfare outcomes for Indian children, the program had not received an increase in funding since its inception more than a decade prior. This funding supports family preservation efforts, child abuse prevention, child protection, foster care, mental health screening, reunification, kinship and customary adoption services.
- Criminal DefenseLGN attorneys participate in the MSBA Appellate Section’s Pro Bono Project with the Appellate Public Defender. Through the program, LGN has represented several criminal defendants in appealing to the Court of Appeals, and petitioning for review and representation in front of the Minnesota Supreme Court. The work helps ensure that each person convicted of a crime in Minnesota is able to fully exercise their right to have their conviction reviewed by an appellate body and to exercise all constitutional rights afforded when a person is accused of a crime.
- FraudThe Product Liability and Consumer Fraud team, led by Rob Shelquist and Rebecca Peterson have litigated scores of products liability and consumer fraud cases in state and federal district and appellate courts across the country. Both are experienced in all aspects of litigation, trial and settlement and dedicate their practice to helping individuals who have been harmed by defective products and fraud against consumers.
- Embezzlement
- Corporate LawPro Se Project referral program. Others have helped disadvantaged businesses and non-profit organizations with corporate formation and other legal matters. Still, others have worked on guardian ad litem cases or represented children in the foster care system, veterans’ benefits appeals, environmental matters and, in cooperation with Minnesota Advocates for Human Rights, have secured legal residency for asylum seekers who feared harm or persecution in their home countries of China, Rwanda and Tibet. Many LGN attorneys also provide free legal assistance at walk-in clinics around the Twin Cities, or assist indigent criminal defendants in their appeals through work with the Minnesota Appellate Public Defender’s office.
- Mergers and AcquisitionsThe firm’s corporate attorneys advise clients ranging from sole proprietorships to multi-national corporations on a wide variety of issues, including mergers and acquisitions, joint ventures, business formation and governance, intellectual property rights and licensing, procurement, franchises, distribution and supply contracts.
- Business Formation
- Business DisputesLGN has earned a reputation for providing aggressive, principled, and top-quality representation to its clients. Our attorneys draw on a wealth of experience representing individuals, small business owners, and national corporations in a broad range of commercial and business disputes in state and federal courts. We understand the pressures of running a business and prides ourselves on providing swift and thorough responses to every client. At the beginning of each case, we take the time to identify the issues, review the facts, and analyze the law. This reduces the uncertainty inherent in litigation and provides a road map to a successful result. By focusing on the core issues, the LGN’s attorneys frequently are able to resolve disputes outside of the courtroom — allowing you to invest in your business instead of litigation. When litigation is required, we draw on our early review of the issues to represent its your interests efficiently and successfully. With our decades of experience and dedication, clients know they can trust LGN to handle their litigation needs so they can focus on what’s most important: running a successful business.
- Business Transactions
- Limited Liability CompaniesHarry Gallaher, Susan Ellingstad, and David Asp represent business and corporate clients on a broad range of issues. The firm is particularly experienced in representing closely-held businesses, including partnerships, corporations, and limited liability companies, with a primary focus on identifying and helping realize the client’s long-term plans. The firm prides itself on its ability to quickly understand a client’s concerns and goals, and thereby tailor its representation to be as cost-effective as possible.
- Trade Secrets
- Intellectual PropertyHypotheticals for Practical Application†at the MSBA CLE on Antitrust Law Issues in Intellectual Property Litigation and Licensing (May 25, 2011), Heidi M. Silton, speaker.
- Unfair CompetitionSince 1890, when Congress passed the Sherman Antitrust Act, protecting and promoting a competitive economy has been a bedrock American principle. The United States and many states have adopted laws and regulations to protect the free and open markets and prohibit unfair competition. Companies that disregard these laws injure not just the companies with which they compete for business but the consumers who rely on their goods and services. Enforcement of antitrust laws helps to promote healthy competition and, therefore, robust economies.
- AntitrustLGN’s antitrust experts are leaders in the field. Our team members serve in a variety of leadership positions: serving on the Board of Directors and Advisory Board of the American Antitrust Institute, President and past President of the Committee to Support the Antitrust Laws (COSAL), the Minnesota State Bar Association’s Antitrust Law Section, the Antitrust Law Advisory Board of Strafford Publications, and the American Bar Association Antitrust Section’s Committees such as the Membership & Diversity Committee. We also have served as contributing authors to national and international antitrust law treatises and other publications, including the American Bar Association’s Antitrust Law Developments publication. We have participated in the Federal Practice Committee for the District of Minnesota and Merit Selection Panels for the District of Minnesota and are members of the Sedona Conference.
- Employment DiscriminationLGN investigates claims of employment discrimination, harassment, and retaliation on behalf of local governments. These investigations provide elected officials with the information they need to make important, and sometimes controversial, personnel decisions and provide assurance to residents that matters are investigated and resolved fairly.
- Employment Contract
- Employment LitigationIn every case, LGN’s employment law attorneys will apply their extensive litigation experience, knowledge of the most recent legislative developments and court rulings, and strategic thinking to handle their clients’ employment issues in the most vigorous yet cost-efficient manner to achieve the client’s business goals.
- Sexual Harassment
- Real Estate LitigationOur environmental law attorneys draw on over three decades of legal, administrative, and governmental experience representing cities, counties, special service districts, and other governmental entities across the Midwest. We understand the importance of balancing the public interest, fairness, and impacts on taxpayer when making decisions. We always remember that we are representing the people when we represent local governments, and we take our obligations seriously.
- Construction Litigation
- Real Estate TransactionsRepresenting Health Care clients in structuring and implementing business transactions, including real estate transactions and document negotiation and structure.
- Eminent DomainThe firm’s attorneys represent and advise clients on a wide variety of issues affecting real property, ranging from the purchase, sale and leasing of real property to complex litigation involving property rights, eminent domain and environmental review processes.
- Land Use and Zoning
- Personal InjuryYvonne Flaherty leads the firm’s national personal injury and mass tort practice, which includes a variety of defective products including pharmaceutical drugs, dietary supplements, herbicides, toxic substances, and medical devices. Yvonne has successfully represented over 10,000 men and women throughout the United States who have been harmed by defective products and/or the negligent action of others. Yvonne Flaherty is experienced in all aspects of litigation, trial and settlement and dedicates her practice to helping injured individuals. Both state and federal courts throughout the country have recognized Ms. Flaherty’s accomplishments. Ms. Flaherty has the experience and reputation you need when seeking an aggressive and established attorney.
- Tax Law