Karla M. Vehrs

Brian Melendez is a veteran litigator with more than two decades of experience in trial and appellate practice, and a former president of the Minnesota State Bar Association. His practice focuses on consumer-credit litigation and business torts. He has defended consumer-financial-services providers in more than 300 cases in over 40 states. Brian was named by Minnesota Lawyer magazine in 2002 as one of the Top Ten Attorneys of the Year; he won the award a second time in 2008, only the second p...

Mark provides legal services to professionals, including attorneys, accountants, architects, engineers, and title agents. He also represents product manufacturers and various companies in the construction and finance industries. His work involves primarily contested matters, including civil litigation, arbitration, mediation, and representation of individuals and companies before government licensing agencies. He is also one of the firm’s leaders, serving as a member of its Management C...

Serena I. Chiquoine is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Franchise Law. Serena I., 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 Serena I. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

John Crawford counsels clients in cases involving insurance coverage, personal injuries, wrongful death, mental impairment/mental anguish, punitive damages and property damage. A significant portion of his practice is representing motor carriers, commercial truck drivers, and the motoring public. John is certified as a civil trial specialist by the Minnesota State Bar Association and is a board-certified civil trial advocate by the National Board of Trial Advocacy. Currently he and colleague,...

Charles S. Modell has represented franchisors throughout the country in most every imaginable scenario over the course of his 40-year legal career. He counsels franchisors in every stage of their development, including the decision to franchise, preparation and registration of franchise documents, management of franchise relationships, franchise growth strategies, negotiation of supplier and joint venture agreements, and termination of franchise relationships. He also represents private equit...

Heather L. Marx is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Commercial Litigation. Heather L., who practices law in Minneapolis, Minnesota, has been recognized since 2025. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Heather L. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Robert L. Smith is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Construction Law and Litigation - Construction. Robert L., 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 Robert L. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

High net worth individuals seek Howard’s advice for their complex wealth and estate planning needs. His estate planning experience includes preparing wills, revocable and irrevocable trusts, special needs trusts, family limited partnerships, limited liability companies and charitable trusts. In collaboration with those he serves, Howard advises on the design and execution of a transition plan that realizes even the most distinct objectives. He also advises on asset protection planning, ...

Scott M. Borene , Managing Attorney and President of the firm, was born in Minneapolis. He attended Harvard University in Cambridge, Massachusetts as a National Merit Scholar. After his graduation from Harvard, he attended William Mitchell Law School in Minnesota. Since establishing his law practice in 1979, he has had more than 30 years of immigration law practice experience. From 1997 to 2003, Scott Borene served as elected Director and Member of the Board of Governors of the American Immig...

John Holper is an experienced construction and real estate trial attorney. John has more than 30 years of experience representing commercial and residential owners, commercial landlords and tenants, lenders, business entities, developers, contractors, subcontractors, material suppliers, architects, and engineers. John works with his clients not only when a dispute arises but also on the front end by applying his litigation experience to help draft and negotiate construction-related contacts i...