In what area of law do you practice and why did you choose this?
Construction Law and Real Estate Law. My father owned a general contractor business and a lumber yard. While growing up I worked there in the summers and learned a lot about the industry. Real estate is a major aspect of construction projects, and very early in my career I felt at home focusing on those areas of practice.
What did you want to be when you grew up?
Lead guitarist in a famous rock band. That part actually came true, except for the famous part.
When did you decide you wanted to be a lawyer?
Senior year of high school. I knew when I started college that I wanted to be a lawyer and chose majors I thought I could excel at and that would help me in law school (English and Political Science).
What would you be doing if you weren’t a lawyer?
Assuming the famous rock band thing did not pan out, probably running the family construction business and developing / owning real estate.
What do you like best about practicing law at H&J?
Working with extremely talented, dedicated and likable people who make me better and my job easier.
What is the best career advice you have received?
Speed wins. I have never had a client complain when I respond immediately, make myself available, and deliver projects quickly.
What is the strangest legal question you have ever been asked?
There have been many. One that stands out occurred early in the pandemic when restaurants were closed by order of Gov. Walz. A person scheduled a call with me and said he had invented special lights that killed the corona virus. He and asked if I could draft a contract between him and restaurants allowing them to reopen as long as they installed some of his lights.
What is an item on your bucket list?
Attend the Masters.
What is your favorite Twin Cities restaurant?
Casual: Lion’s Tap
Upscale: Porzana
When you are not working, what would people find you doing?
Golfing. Playing guitar at home and in various bands.
What is a recent good book you read?
Nobody’s Fool, Richard Russo
Demon Copperhead, Barbara Kingsolver
Daisy Jones and The Six, Taylor Jenkins Reid
Such a Fun Age, Kiley Reid
The Things They Carried, Tim O’Brien
What might people be surprised to know about you?
The guitar / plays in a band thing.
