Levi J. Smith

A firm shareholder, John counsels buyers and sellers on effectively structuring and documenting transactions involving business combinations, purchases and sales, and financing. John has earned his clients’ trust as a business advisor because he approaches their legal issues with a nuanced understanding of a business owner’s objectives and a comprehensive knowledge of financing sources and techniques a complex transaction demands. John leads the firm’s Multi-Unit Succession ...

Laura Hammargren is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Mass Tort Litigation / Class Actions - Defendants. Laura, 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 Laura is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Kathryn M. Wilson has successfully litigated employment discrimination, contract, and tort cases before juries and judges in both federal and state courts across the country. She also has substantial experience with matters referred to alternative dispute resolution. Practicing before federal and state courts and administrative agencies, including the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission and its state counterparts, Kate has specific experience providing litigation defense of claims arising...

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...

Lenders and creditors seek Wyatt’s assistance in retail and commercial-lending disputes involving distressed loans, collateral recovery, lien priority, workouts, eviction, and mortgage foreclosure. Wyatt also regularly represents clients in construction disputes on claims of negligence, defect, delay, warranty, and breach of contract. His broad experience in real estate, lending, and construction law allows Wyatt to understand an entire project and find an efficient way to resolve each ...

Steven J. Ryan is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Banking and Finance Law, Commercial Finance Law and Real Estate Law. Steven J., who practices law in Minneapolis, Minnesota, has been recognized since 2013. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Steven J. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

David E. Kirkman is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Real Estate Law. David E., who practices law in Minneapolis, Minnesota, has been recognized since 2007. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which David E. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Piyumi Samaratunga is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Employment Law - Management and Immigration Law. Piyumi, who practices law in Minneapolis, Minnesota, has been recognized since 2023. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Piyumi is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Aram Desteian represents businesses in complex commercial litigation, and also counsels and defends other lawyers against a spectrum of professional liability claims. Aram Desteian’s commercial litigation practice includes representing businesses in a wide range of business disputes. As a professional liability attorney, he regularly helps other lawyers prevent and navigate lawsuits, investigations, board proceedings, and hearings involving legal ethics, legal malpractice, and other are...

Jacob W. Steen is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Land Use and Zoning Law. Jacob W., 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 Jacob W. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.