Courtland C. Merrill

Katie Welsch is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Banking and Finance Law. Katie, who practices law in Minneapolis, Minnesota, has been recognized since 2024. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Katie is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Barry Landy is an accomplished trial lawyer at Ciresi Conlin, renowned for his expertise in complex commercial litigation, with a particular focus on trade secrets, antitrust, breach of contract, breach of fiduciary duty, partnership and shareholders disputes, trademark claims, fraud, business torts, financial services litigation, and class actions. He represents businesses and individuals nationwide in high‑stakes disputes in federal and state courts. He serves as Chair of the firm’s b...

Gary A. Van Cleve is a seasoned trial attorney and an appellate advocate handling a full range of real estate-related litigation. Gary focuses on representing property owners in: (1) condemnation actions where either the government or a utility company takes private property for a public use through its power of eminent domain, (2) land use disputes with local governments typically involving zoning or permitting issues, and (3) property tax appeals. Gary is the chair of Larkin Hoffman’s...

Craig Brandt is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Litigation - Labor and Employment. Craig, who practices law in Minneapolis, Minnesota, has been recognized since 2026. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Craig is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Chad Johnson is a founding partner of Hellmuth & Johnson, and serves as the firm’s Managing Partner. He founded Hellmuth & Johnson after just two years of practice, growing the firm on the strength of its loyal clients and experienced attorneys to become one of the 20 largest law firms in Minnesota. Chad represents a broad range of businesses, corporations, limited liability entities and individuals in pursuit of their business, real estate and transaction goals. He is admitted ...

Andrea Ostapowich is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Employment Law - Individuals. Andrea, who practices law in Minneapolis, Minnesota, has been recognized since 2024. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Andrea is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Brad represents and advises businesses, business owners and financial institutions in a broad range of transactions including mergers and acquisitions, divestures, capital structuring, financing and real estate leasing and sales. While Brad’s work has ranged across industries such as manufacturing, oil & gas, construction, professional services and real estate development, he has been particularly active in the multi-unit franchise industry, working with franchisees, investors and l...

Arleen Nand represents commercial, cooperative, development and investment banks, as well as hedge funds, private equity firms, and corporations in cross-border and domestic financings. Arleen has structured, drafted, and negotiated more than $40 billion of investment grade, leveraged finance and commercial paper transactions. Arleen has served as lead counsel on numerous financings, including cross-border credit facilities, securitizations, syndicated loan transactions, credit-linked notes, ...

Brian practices primarily with the firm’s litigation group and focuses on commercial, landlord-tenant, real estate, and employment litigation. He also draws upon his litigation experience to counsel his clients on methods of avoiding litigation in the first place. Brian represents a wide range of businesses and individuals involved in a variety of disputes, including disagreements over partnership, real estate, and asset purchase agreements, leases, mortgages, mechanic’s liens, an...

Bob focuses his practice on the representation of plaintiffs in complex personal injury cases in state and federal courts throughout the Midwest. He has extensive experience in cases involving medical negligence and product defect and has tried virtually all types of personal injury matters. He has also handled commercial, insurance, trust and estate, and class action lawsuits. Bob is a Fellow in the American College of Trial Lawyers, the International Academy of Trial Lawyers and the Interna...