LGN Raising Funds for Neighborhood House Food Drive

In 2024, Minnesotans visited food shelves more than 9 million times, which is an increase of 1.5 million from 2023.

To help alleviate food insecurity in our community, LGN is again raising funds for the March Food Drive organized by Neighborhood House, a St. Paul-based multi-service agency that has helped immigrant and refugee families since 1897. LGN has supported its work for more than ten years.

Like other food shelves in the state, Neighborhood House’s food shelf is grappling with the daunting challenge of keeping up with the need. They are now serving over 1,700 unique families in a month—nearly double from this time last year.

Join us in helping support Neighborhood House and its mission to serve our community by donating at this link: https://give.neighborhoodhousemn.org/fundraiser/6143001.

Your generosity can alleviate the severity of this crisis and foster a community where no one is left hungry or forgotten. Thank you for considering helping Neighborhood House with us.

Neighborhood House

LGN Supports Hennepin Healthcare Patients with Cold-Weather Donations

As the temperatures drop, LGN is proud to support the Hennepin Healthcare Foundation by donating more than 60 cold-weather items, including coats, scarves, hats, and mittens. These essential items will help keep Hennepin Healthcare patients and families in need warm this winter.

This initiative, led by the LGN DEI Committee, was part of our Martin Luther King Jr. Day service project. A big thank you to our team members who contributed to this effort! Your generosity makes a real difference.

To learn more about the impact of the Hennepin Healthcare Foundation and how you can help click below.

Hennepin Healthcare

LGN Co-Hosts Next Generation Panel and Happy Hour

LGN was pleased to join Epiq in hosting an inspiring evening that brought together over 50 legal professionals for networking and thought-provoking conversations. This event was organized by LGN associates as a way to connect the up-and-coming generation of attorneys in the Twin Cities metro.

Our esteemed group of all-female panelists captivated the audience with powerful stories and practical strategies, drawing from their rich and varied career experiences. It was a night of meaningful connections and valuable insights for all who attended.

We hope to see you at our next event in June! If you would like to join the mailing list to learn about upcoming events, please send your name and email to marketing@locklaw.com.

Learn more: https://www.locklaw.com/lgn-next-generation/

LGN Foundation Celebrates a Year of Impact in 2024

As we reflect on 2024, we’re proud to highlight the local organizations the LGN Foundation supported this year, each nominated by an LGN employee. These groups make a tangible difference in the lives of so many across our region.

Here’s a look at the organizations we were honored to support:

Neighborhood House – Strengthening communities by providing food, housing, and education support to families.

Big Brothers Big Sisters – Creating and supporting one-to-one mentoring relationships that ignite the potential of young people.

Mid-Minnesota Legal Aid – Ensuring access to justice by providing free legal services to low-income individuals.

Page Foundation – Supporting youth of color through scholarships, mentoring, and leadership development.

Lift Garage – Providing affordable car repairs to keep individuals and families on the road to success.

Mac-V – Supporting veterans and their families as they transition to stable housing and employment.

Meals on Wheels Twin Cities – Delivering nutritious meals and companionship to homebound seniors and individuals with disabilities.

LGN Foundation Celebrates 2024

VEAP – Offering essential food, housing, and support services to those in need.

Urban Bird Collective – Fostering environmental justice and birdwatching opportunities for underrepresented communities.

RISE – Empowering people with disabilities and other barriers to employment through supportive services and advocacy.

Pfund Foundation – Advancing LGBTQ+ equity through grants and scholarships.

Wanton Injustice Legal Detail (WILD) – Protecting the rights of protesters and fostering legal advocacy for social justice.

Through these partnerships, the LGN Foundation continues its mission to strengthen our community and uplift those in need. We extend our deepest gratitude to these organizations for their dedication and to everyone who makes our support possible.

LGN Sponsors Minnesota Farmers Union Convention

LGN was pleased to sponsor the 83rd annual state convention of the Minnesota Farmers Union. The annual convention aims to bring the community together and focus on the future. Speakers included officials from the Farm Service Agency, the DOJ Antitrust Division, and many local elected leaders. LGN associate Eura Chang and government relations team member Amos Briggs were in attendance.

Minnesota Farmers Union

The Minnesota Farmers Union works to protect and enhance the economic interests and quality of life of family farmers and ranchers and rural communities. MFU is a nonprofit membership-based organization. Membership is open to everyone.

You can learn more about the Minnesota Farmers Union on their website: https://mfu.org/

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