Born: April 24, 1953

Married 28 years, two children

 

Residence

Minneapolis 1985-present, 1977, 1954-55; Willmar 1979-85; St. Cloud 1977-79; New York 1975-77; Bloomington 1955-75; Various East Coast naval ports, 1953-54

 

Education

New York University (NYU) Law, 1977. 

University of Minnesota, CLA. B.A. 1974, Psychology.  Unofficial minors French and Political Science. 

Kennedy H.S., Bloomington, 1971. 

 

Professional

Attorney - leading Minnesota cases on Mental Health Law (citation 536 N.W.2d 621) (1995, won)) and Ch12 Family Farm Reorganization Bankruptcy (citation 78 B.R. 936 (1987, split decision)); CLE manual on Ch12 Bankruptcy, 1988-89.

Solo Practice, Minneapolis, Minnesota, 1998-present.  Bankruptcy (debtor, creditor, agricultural, and internet/telecommunications); litigation; banking and commercial transactions; mental health law.

1998-2000 Agricultural Law Section Chair, Minnesota State Bar Association (MSBA)

Metro law firm practices (statewide clientele), 1984-98.

1985 and later MSBA and MN Atty Gen task force on farm legal services; MN legal services farm “task force” 1980s-present

Minnesota Lawyers International Human Rights Commitee (now renamed Minnesota Advocates for Human Rights): Haiti Subcommittee (1986-89); Pro Bono Asylum Project volunteer lawyer (1986-92)

Solo Practice, Willmar, 1982-84.

Appointment offer to US Foreign Service (declined) 1993.  Passed written, oral, and medical exams and security clearance.

Legal Aid, Willmar (Managing Attorney), 1979-81, St. Cloud (Staff Attorney), 1977-79.

NYU Criminal Law Clinic, Manhattan criminal courts, 1976-77

National Emergency Civil Liberties Committee, NY, legal assistant 1975-77 – reviewed FBI documents resulting from Alger Hiss FOIA request, in preparation for challenge to his perjury conviction.

 

Political and Community

2002 Treasurer, Penny for Governor (IPM)

1992-94 SD 63 (Mpls - Richfield) DFL Chair

1989-92 and 2003-06 parish council member, president 1990-91.

1986-90 DFL State Platform Commission, co-chair 1988-90

1987 (appx.) Treasurer, George Dahl, Minneapolis School Board

1986-90 Treasurer, State Senator John Brandl

1972, 74, and 86 DFL State Convention delegate or alternate

1984 DFL Second CD (southwestern Minnesota) treasurer

1984 Alternate to Democratic National Convention

1982 Candidate for endorsement, Second Congressional District (southwestern Minnesota)

1976 Campaign volunteer (NH - NY – Fred Harris); same, 1972 (MN - CA – McGovern)

1973 successful Bloomington MN charter amendment campaign, to elect four of six city council members by ward (previously, all were elected at large)