Christian R. Barnes

Paul M. Shapiro is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area of Litigation - Labor and Employment. Paul M. practices law in Minneapolis, Minnesota Best Lawyers has recognized Paul M. Shapiro since 2025. The Best Lawyers recognition is based on a peer-review survey of lawyers in the same geographic region and legal practice area. The recognition reflects the professional regard in which Paul M. Shapiro is held by other lawyers.

Chad Stepan serves as Chair of the firm’s Catastrophic Loss Practice Group. He focuses his practice on complex civil litigation, including fires, explosions, structural failures, mechanical failures, product failures and other catastrophic losses and construction-related incidents across the United States. He has handled numerous multi-million dollar claims, including major industrial explosions and fires, and construction and design matters. Chad investigates these incidents and provid...

Dean B. Thomson is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice areas of Construction Law, Litigation - Construction and Litigation - Real Estate. Dean B. practices law in Minneapolis, Minnesota Best Lawyers has recognized Dean B. Thomson since 2011. The Best Lawyers recognition is based on a peer-review survey of lawyers in the same geographic region and legal practice area. The recognition reflects the professional regard in which Dean B. Thomson is held by other lawyers.

Gary A. Renneke is recognized by his peers as a leading attorney in Minnesota in real estate transactions. He has extensive experience in all facets of commercial real estate, including acquisitions, sales, leasing and financing transactions, as well as new development and construction projects. Gary has advised clients in commercial transactions involving millions of square feet and valued in the billions of dollars. He has represented property owners, developers, investors, retail center op...

Gary C. Eidson is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area of Real Estate Law. Gary C. practices law in Minneapolis, Minnesota Best Lawyers has recognized Gary C. Eidson since 2007. The Best Lawyers recognition is based on a peer-review survey of lawyers in the same geographic region and legal practice area. The recognition reflects the professional regard in which Gary C. Eidson is held by other lawyers.

Scott Blake is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area of Commercial Litigation. Scott practices law in Minneapolis, Minnesota Best Lawyers has recognized Scott Blake since 2026. The Best Lawyers recognition is based on a peer-review survey of lawyers in the same geographic region and legal practice area. The recognition reflects the professional regard in which Scott Blake is held by other lawyers.

Steve Plunkett concentrates his practice in health care and sexual misconduct defense, bringing nearly 30 years of experience to his role as litigator and counsel. Mr. Plunkett has defended health care and other clients in hundreds of cases involving bodily injury or the death of residents in group homes and assisted living or skilled nursing facilities. His health care team obtained a defense verdict in 2017 in a significant pressure wound injury case. Mr. Plunkett also represents corporatio...

When facing the uncertainty of divorce or other family issues, Vija provides her clients with peace of mind. Vija's advocacy is set apart by a confidence and compassion that seeks practical solutions to issues that keep her clients up at night. With years of experience and wins from Minnesota's trial courts to its Supreme Court, Vija's clients know she has what it takes to protect them and what they value most. Vija recognizes that, for clients going through a divorce or other family law matt...

Alan G. Carlson, recognized by Best Lawyers® since 1991, has more than 40 years of experience representing plaintiffs and defendants in jury and bench trials throughout the U.S. in almost every sort of intellectual property case. In 2010, Best Lawyers named Carlson as “Lawyer of the Year 2010, Intellectual Property Law – Minnesota.” He has won a number of multimillion-dollar jury verdicts in diverse technologies and is a Fellow in the American College of Trial Lawyers.

Jeremy C. Stier is a partner with Hellmuth & Johnson and practices in the areas of trust and estate planning, business and corporate transactions, real estate, farm and business succession planning, and agricultural law. He develops innovative legal solutions to solve clients’ complex issues and achieve their unique personal and business objectives. His extensive legal knowledge enables him to work with business owners and farmers on matters ranging from business agreements and corp...