LGN Sponsors Night For Nexus 2024

We were honored to sponsor and be part of the 6th Annual Night for Nexus benefit. Thank you to all the guests, donors, speakers, and fellow sponsors who made the evening unforgettable. For over 50 years, Nexus Family Healing has been committed to restoring hope for thousands of children and families through mental and behavioral health services. Supporting Nexus Family Healing brings hope and meaningful change to the lives of the youth, families, and individuals Nexus serves.

Night for Nexus
Pictured From LGN: Jess Lindeen, Dan Larson, and Dan Pollock

LGN Sponsors 2024 Progressive Law Benefit

LGN was proud to sponsor the Minnesota Chapter of the American Constitution Society’s 2024 Progressive Law Benefit.  ACS is the nation’s leading progressive legal nonprofit organization, connecting lawyers, judges, professors, and law students across the country, who share a collective vision of the Constitution and law that enhances individual rights and liberties, and promotes genuine equality, access to justice, democracy, and the rule of law.  The Progressive Law Benefit is the Chapter’s annual fundraising event, featuring a fun night of networking and trivia with local legal luminaries, hosted by Tane Danger, co-founder of Danger-Boat Productions and the Theatre of Public Policy. 

LGN partner Rachel Kitze Collins served as Co-President of the Chapter for five years, and currently serves on the Board of Directors. LGN partner Charlie Nauen serves on the Board of Advisors, and was also a recipient of the Chapter’s Justice David Lillehaug Award for Distinguished Leadership.

LGN Attends Minnesota Asian Pacific American Bar Association Gala

We were proud to support the annual gala of the Minnesota Asian Pacific American Bar Association (MNAPABA) yesterday. The theme of this year’s MNAPABA Gala was “Leadership, Law, Legacy.” The keynote speaker was Don Liu, the Executive Vice President and Chief Legal and Compliance Officer for Target and fellow MNAPABA member. LGN associates Eura Chang, Arielle Wagner, and Michael Kinane were in attendance.

Minnesota Asian Pacific American Bar Association

MNAPABA is a community of Minnesota Asian Pacific American and Asian lawyers that supports one another, celebrates each other’s accomplishments, creates opportunities for dialogue on issues of importance to APAs, and highlights APA issues to the legal community at large. The group welcomes people of all diverse backgrounds and experiences and offers individuals professional support and opportunities for growth and mentorship while being the voice of the APA legal community. MNAPABA (formerly NAPABA-MN) is an affiliate of the National Asian Pacific American Bar Association (NAPABA).

LGN Hosts MN Urban Debate League Team

Lockridge Grindal Nauen was pleased to welcome the St. Paul Central High School debate team for their beginning of the year preparations and captains’ practices. The Central debate team is a part of the Minnesota Urban Debate League (MNUDL), an organization that LGN has long supported and championed. LGN partner Gregg Fishbein is a founding member of the Advisory Board, and LGN partner Kate Baxter-Kauf (pictured) currently serves as a member of the Advisory Board and volunteers at Central. 

You can find out more about the MNUDL, a program of Augsburg University, and sign up to volunteer by clicking below.

Minnesota Urban Debate League

Baxter-Kauf, Kitze Collins, Wagner, and Waller Recognized as North Star Lawyers

North Star Lawyers

We are thrilled to announce that LGN attorneys Kate Baxter-Kauf, Rachel Kitze Collins, Arielle Wagner, and Derek Waller have been recognized as 2024 North Star Lawyers. LGN attorneys have been recognized as Minnesota State Bar Association (MSBA) North Star Lawyers (for providing at least 50 hours of pro bono legal services) since the North Star Lawyer program began in 2013.

Lockridge Grindal Nauen attorneys, paralegals, and staff dedicate hundreds of hours per year toward pro bono legal representation and volunteer activities coordinated by a committee of partners and associates. We are committed to helping those who otherwise could not afford counsel achieve justice.

We asked each of our North Star Lawyers why pro-bono work is important to them. You can see their responses below.

Kate Baxter-Kauf
Kate Baxter-Kauf, Chair of the Pro Bono Committee and Pro Bono Partner

“Pro Bono work is an integral part of my practice.  It allows me to do meaningful work and help people who might not otherwise have access to the court system navigate their cases while gaining expertise in different areas of the law.  I appreciate the responsibility of making sure that my clients are heard and respected and that I can make sure that they know they have an advocate through what is often the worst experience of their lives.  And the opportunities for mentorship of associates and skill building are immense.”

Rachel Kitze Collins
Rachel Kitze Collins, Partner

“I love having pro bono work as part of my practice because it gives me an opportunity to advocate for issues and clients that I’m passionate about, that don’t fit squarely within my billable practice.  When I was a newer lawyer in particular, doing pro bono work also gave me the opportunity to practice new skills and taught me how to manage a case and client.”

Arielle S. Wagner
Arielle S. Wagner, Associate

“Pro bono work is a way for me to use my skills to support those who might not otherwise find access to justice. It’s incredibly rewarding to resolve an issue and know that we’ve made a meaningful difference in someone’s life!”

Derek C. Waller
Derek C. Waller, Associate

“The legal system can be complex and overwhelming, and I’m grateful for the opportunity to use my training and experience to help clients navigate the system. I believe lawyers have a responsibility to use their knowledge to help meet the high need for legal services, and I’m proud that LGN has prioritizes and supports pro bono work!”

You can learn more about LGN’s Pro Bono work HERE. More information about the North Star Lawyers program is available HERE. Congratulations to all recognized attorneys!

North Star Lawyers

LGN Led Softball Team “Class Act” Wins HCBA Softball Championship

It was an exciting evening at Bryn Mawr Meadows Park in Minneapolis last week as the Hennepin County Bar Association (HCBA) summer softball league championship games took place. After winning the semifinal game against team Taft, the championship matchup was between LGN led team “Class Act” and the team from Berger Montague with Class Act coming out on top as Champions! LGN associate, Aaron Hove, manages the team with many others from LGN in the player rotation and cheering on the sidelines. Congratulations to all involved on a fantastic season!

Hennepin County Bar Association Class Act Softball Team

LGN Congratulates Tim Walz as Kamala Harris Running Mate Selection

TIm Walz

We extend a heartfelt congratulations to Tim Walz on being selected as the vice-presidential candidate alongside presidential nominee Kamala Harris today. As a friend and valued client of Lockridge Grindal Nauen, we have witnessed firsthand Tim’s passion for making a positive impact on our communities and our nation. His leadership has brought about meaningful change to the state of Minnesota and we are excited to see what he brings to the national stage.

LGN Attends TCDIP and WILD Summer Alliance Event

The annual summer alliance celebration hosted by Twin Cities Diversity in Practice (TCDIP) and Wanton Injustice Legal Detail (WILD) drew a homerun turnout last week. This celebration is open to the entire legal community in the Twin Cities each year and brings together TCDIP 1L Clerks, law students, summer associates, attorneys, members of the judiciary, and everyone dedicated to diversity, equity, and inclusion. This year, the event was held at CHS Field and included baseball-themed networking opportunities. Attendees also had the opportunity to meet affinity bar leaders and learn about their work within our legal community.

TCDIP

In attendance from LGN were Kate Baxter-Kauf, Toni Konkoly, and Steve Owen (pictured) along with summer law clerk Jems Guirguis. LGN attorneys actively support TCDIP throughout the year, including Arielle Wagner, who sits on the Board of Directors as the Assistant Treasurer, and Steve Owen who is LGN’s Emerging Leaders Group (ELG) Representative.

You can learn more about TCDIP and its upcoming events by clicking below.

LGN Hosts Labor Late Night at Minnesota Building Trades Convention

LGN was excited to host the “Labor Late Night” networking event at the 78th Annual Minnesota Building and Construction Trades Convention last week. It was a night of celebration as the labor community came together to connect and reflect on the past year.

Members of the LGN Government Relations team including Dan Larson, Amos Briggs, and Jess Lindeen along with LGN Partner Karen Hanson Riebel organized and executed the successful evening. Labor Late Night was co-hosted by Primacy Strategy Group and featured live music by Papa Roof and the Soul Villains.

LGN Sponsors 2nd Annual WithAll ForeAll Golf Tournament

LGN was proud to sponsor the 2nd Annual WithAll ForeAll Golf Tournament last month at The Minikahda Club in Minneapolis. All proceeds from the fundraiser went directly to WithAll to support their mission of creating a cultural shift focusing on health and well-being instead of weight and appearance so all can feel good in their bodies and at peace with food. The money raised will help the organization provide resources and education to parents, teachers, coaches, and health providers along with recovery support grants to those in treatment for an eating disorder.

WithAll ForeAll Golf Tournament
Photo Credit: David Paul Schmidt 

We are honored to be a partner in this important work. LGN associate Derek Waller was recently elected to serve as WithAll’s board chair and he attended the event with colleagues from LGN’s health law practice, including David Asp, Jennifer Jacobs, and David Hahn.