A Smarter Way to Give: Using Your IRA to Maximize Charitable Impact
For individuals age 70½ and older, a Qualified Charitable Distribution (QCD) from an IRA is one of the most efficient ways to support charitable causes, especially when those funds are not needed for living expenses. A QCD allows you to transfer up to $111,000 per year (2026 limit, indexed for inflation) directly from your IRA […]
Cracked Concrete or Major Structural Damage from Frost Heaves this Spring? Is Your Contractor Responsible for the Repairs?
Every spring, many property owners are shocked to discover new cracks or structural movement caused by winter freeze-thaw cycles. Shifting foundations, cracked concrete, damaged pool decks, and new drainage issues are all common problems for property owners in cold-weather states like Minnesota and Wisconsin. While some earth movement or cracking may be normal, severe damage […]
Phrases We Get Wrong—and Why It Matters
A Visit from the Word Police Language is a precision tool. Used well, it clarifies thinking, sharpens arguments, and signals competence. Used badly, it does the opposite. It muddles meaning. It undermines credibility. And in law, business, and negotiation, it quietly costs people leverage. Which is why the word police exist. No badges. No sirens. […]
What Is an Inheritor’s Trust?
If you are expecting an inheritance, an estate planning tool known as a trust may prove useful, depending on your circumstances. Among the numerous types of trusts aimed at fulfilling different estate planning purposes, an inheritor’s trust is specially designed to help protect an inheritance. Purpose of an Inheritor’s Trust A future beneficiary establishes an […]
Ethical Landmines in Responding to Requests for Admission
How Bulldog Lawyers Avoid Turning Discovery into Disaster Requests for Admission are supposed to be boring. They exist for one reason: to narrow issues for trial by confirming facts that aren’t in dispute and authenticating documents everyone already agrees are real. Used properly, they save time and money. But that’s not how they’re being used […]
What to Fix Before You Sign an Oil and Gas Lease
A Bulldog Checklist for Mineral Owners Who Want to Keep Their Leverage Most oil and gas lease problems are permanent. Not because the law is unfair—but because the document was signed before anyone slowed down long enough to fix what mattered. If you sign first and argue later, you’ve already lost leverage. Before you sign […]
Why Retirement Is the Right Time to Revisit Your Estate Plan
Retirement can mean many different things to different people. For some, it opens up a new world of travel, experiences, and creative pursuits. For others, it may herald quiet days at home with a good book, a steaming mug of tea or coffee, and no other plans for weeks. Between those extremes are countless ways […]
Minnesota’s New Zero Estimated Exposure Workers’ Compensation Law: What Construction Contractors Need to Know
Starting on January 1, 2026, Minnesota will implement significant changes to its workers’ compensation system, specifically targeting the use of “zero estimated exposure policies” (also known as “if-any” policies) within the construction industry. These updates passed during the 2025 legislative session aim to increase transparency and accountability among contractors who operate without employees or payroll. […]
Attorney Spotlight: Jordan Kolinski
In what area of law do you practice, and why did you choose this? I practice primarily in real property disputes and construction litigation. Growing up with a father who was a carpenter, I was always around construction projects, tools, and equipment. I feel very comfortable discussing and analyzing the subject matter of construction litigation. […]
How to Tell When Someone Is Lying | Body Language and Speech Signals
Two Signals Even Careful Liars Struggle to Control The truth is under pressure. Public trust is down. People expect spin from leaders, half-truths from institutions, and strategic ambiguity from anyone with something at stake. In that environment, bluffing isn’t rare—it’s normal. Which makes one skill invaluable: knowing when the person across from you is not […]