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

5 LGN Attorneys Honored in 2025 edition of The Best Lawyers in America®

We are pleased to announce that 5 Lockridge Grindal Nauen attorneys have been included in the 2025 edition of The Best Lawyers in America®. Since it was first published in 1983, Best Lawyers has become universally regarded as a definitive guide to legal excellence.

“For more than 40 years, the rigorous methodology of Best Lawyers has ensured the integrity and esteem of our legal recognitions,” said Best Lawyers CEO Phillip Greer. “It is with great pleasure that we continue to provide potential clients with the pinnacle measurement of credibility through our Best Lawyers awards as they search for counsel.”

Best Lawyers in America

A special congratulations to LGN Partner Yvonne Flaherty who was recognized by Best Lawyers as the 2025 “Lawyer of the Year” for Product Liability Litigation – Plaintiffs in Minneapolis. This is the second time Yvonne has earned this distinction.

We would like to congratulate all of the LGN lawyers named to 2025 The Best Lawyers in America list:

We would also like to congratulate Kristie LaSalle, based in our Boston office, for being named a Ones to Watch honoree. Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch in America recognizes associates and other lawyers who are earlier in their careers for their outstanding professional excellence in private practice in the United States. Kristie was recognized for her work in both the Antitrust Law, Litigation and Mass Tort Litigation / Class Actions – Plaintiffs categories.

You can learn more by clicking below.

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.

2024 LGN Summer Associate Program

Lockridge Grindal Nauen is dedicated to the advancement of law students and we had the pleasure of welcoming three outstanding law clerks to our firm this summer. Emily Bingham, Jems Guirguis, and Lydia Peterson have worked closely with LGN attorneys over the past few months on several LGN cases. Their talents have shown brightly, and we have no doubt they will all have impressive law careers. We wish them nothing but success as they continue their legal journeys.

LGN Summer Associate Program

You can read more about each of these exceptional students and the LGN summer associate program by clicking below.

Jennifer Jacobs Featured Speaker at Employment Law Institute

LGN Associate, Jennifer L. M. Jacobs, presented a live seminar webcast at the recent 2024 Upper Midwest Employment Law Institute. The presentation was titled: “Pay Equity Lawsuits and Emerging Trends – Essentials for Litigators and Advisors.” Along with her co-presenter, David E. Schlesinger from Nichols Kaster PLLP, they discussed updates on important developments in pay equity law – including state law trends across the country, federal law updates, and significant recent court rulings in the cutting-edge area.

Jennifer L. M. Jacobs

Baxter-Kauf, Teti, and LaSalle Featured Speakers at MDL Conference Hosted By HarrisMartin

LGN attorneys Kate M. Baxter-Kauf, Steve J. Teti, and Kristie A. LaSalle were featured speakers at the Multidistrict Litigation (MDL) Conference hosted by HarrisMartin this week. The event was held at the Westin Portland Harborview in Portland, Maine.

The conference is a premier event that gathers legal experts to discuss the latest developments in multidistrict litigation. As leaders in their field, Kate, Steve, and Kristie brought a wealth of knowledge and experience to their panels.

Baxter-Kauf Teti LaSalle

Kate and Steve were on a panel titled “Increase in Fraudulent Claims in Class Action and Mass Tort” along with Cameron Azari from Epiq. The panel was moderated by Lauren McGeever from Epiq. Kristie was on a panel titled “MultiPlan Health Insurance Provider Litigation – MDL 3121” along with Warren T. Burns from Burns Charest and Michael Srodoski from Scott+Scott Attorneys at Law LLP.

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.