A Dedicated Bankruptcy and Consumer Rights Attorney
As an attorney, I believe it’s my duty to use my skills and experience to make my community better. I know debt relief can make an immediate, positive impact in the lives of my clients.
Flat Fees
Unlike a traditional law practice, I bill my bankruptcy clients based on a flat fee system. I will let you know up front, the day of your consultation, what your basic fee will be. You won’t have to worry about receiving a massive bill for a bunch of hours of work you didn’t know I would be doing. I will let you know and get your approval before doing extra work to resolve any complications that may crop up. When we sign the representation agreement, any possible additional fees will be laid out in detail.
Virtual Office
As a lot of lawyers will tell you, the practice of law is changing because of developing technology. At the same time, many are recognizing that the profession is not meeting all Americans' need for legal services. I hope to combat both situations in part by running my firm from a virtual office. I don’t have a traditional, brick-and-mortar office to meet clients; instead, I use video-chat software. My work is mostly paperless. I store my clients’ data on encrypted cloud servers. Doing so reduces my costs and, as a result, my fees. Plus, in the seemingly endless age of COVID-19, keeping things streamlined and socially distant helps keep all of us safe.
Other Services
Though my practice focuses on bankruptcy, I have experience in a lot of other areas of law. Below are a few that are worth mentioning. I don’t have a process established for them, though, so I may not be able to charge a flat fee.*
Consumer Protection
I can help you get relief from creditors even if you don’t want to file bankruptcy. The laws of both the US and Minnesota afford you protection from unreasonable collection practices. Collection agencies have limits to what they can do to ask for payment; if they go beyond those limits with you, you might be entitled to legal relief, and even damages in some cases. If you need help avoiding a foreclosure or an eviction, or if your landlord refuses to make repairs to your home, I can help invoke the law to find a solution.
Civil Litigation
If you have been sued, or think you will be, I may be able to defend you. Bankruptcy may take care of any pending or potential judgments, but if you don’t want to file, then mounting a solid defense is important. In any case, you should start looking for help as soon as possible; an attorney can make sure you don’t miss any important deadlines.
Come talk to me, too, if you’ve been damaged by someone else’s actions. You might have a right to recover through the legal system; I can assess your case, and, potentially, represent you.
Criminal Defense
Even good people can end up in trouble with the law. Everyone, guilty or innocent, has the right to legal representation when their liberty is at stake. Our justice system often makes it difficult for anyone who isn’t wealthy to avoid conviction or even receive a just sentence. I can defend your rights and help achieve the best possible outcome in your case.
Estate Planning
Much like bankruptcy, writing a will seems like it should be easy enough to do yourself. And, again like bankruptcy, it’s usually worth hiring a lawyer to make sure you don’t miss anything important. I can help you ensure that your estate goes to exactly who you want it to.
Small Businesses
It can be a lot of work to get a small business up and running, as I’ve learned firsthand. I can help you organize your business to protect your assets. I can also write or review contracts, help you deal with your employees fairly and legally, and make sure you minimize your potential legal liability.
Family
Some of the most stressful times in a person’s life can be when a family dispute ends up in court. When I was a staff attorney for the Minnesota District Court in Red Wing, I spent a lot of my time working on family law issues ranging from divorce to child protection. I learned the importance of handling family matters with both empathy and professionalism.
*Keep in mind, if you are low income you should consider seeking free or reduced-cost representation through Volunteer Lawyers Network, Southern Minnesota Regional Legal Services, or Mid-Minnesota Legal Aid. Check out Home Line if you have landlord problems. If you don’t qualify, come talk to me!