Christopher D. Luehr

Attorney

Minneapolis

612-672-3601

cluehr@messerlikramer.com

Assistant: Heather Kurtz

612-337-9546

Profile

Chris Luehr is an attorney in MK’s Estate Planning and Probate group. He focuses his practice on estate planning, probate, trust administration, asset protection, and business succession planning. Chris works closely with individuals and families to develop comprehensive estate plans that reflect their goals, protect their assets, and provide peace of mind for the future. He also advises entrepreneurs, investors, and commercial real estate professionals on business formation, compliance, and investment strategies, including matters involving the cannabis industry.

In addition to his legal practice, Chris is committed to racial justice, community equity, and expanding access to justice. Chris serves on the Board of Directors of the Financial Planning Association of Minnesota (FPA-MN), where he supports professional development and industry collaboration. He is also involved with the Volunteer Lawyers Network, supporting efforts to expand access to legal services and serve individuals and communities throughout the Twin Cities and beyond.

Outside of work, Chris enjoys making music, biking with his family, and camping. Family, fun, and faith are at the heart of his life.

Representative Experience
  • Developed a comprehensive estate plan for a young married couple with minor children, including guardian and trustee appointments, protective trusts, successor decision-makers, and age-based asset distribution provisions to protect the children’s financial security and future well-being.
  • Represented small business owner facing a city order to raze her commercial property, presenting legal and practical arguments to the city council and negotiating with city officials to secure an agreement that preserved the building, allowed the owner to rebuild and continue operating her business, and saved hundreds of thousands of dollars.
  • Advised an ultra-high-net-worth individual with an approximately $70 million estate on transferring and restructuring complex assets, including alternative investments, into a newly established private trust, coordinating with wealth management and technology professionals to address asset management and estate planning considerations and structure distributions to friends and charitable beneficiaries while seeking to minimize tax consequences.
  • Drafted and negotiated commercial lease agreements involving cannabis-related businesses and private property owners, addressing Minnesota’s evolving cannabis regulations and balancing regulatory compliance, property protection, and business objectives.
  • Developed a comprehensive estate plan for a married couple approaching retirement without children, advising on the selection of personal representatives, trustees, powers of attorney, and health care agents, and establishing asset distribution provisions benefiting friends and charitable organizations.
Publications & Presentations

Publications

Presentations

  • Presenter, “AI & Estate Planning: Tool, Threat, or Both?” – Twin Cities Estate Planning Council, March 2026
  • Presenter, “Estate Planning Moves That Protect the Business and the Family” – Financial Planning Association of Minnesota, January 2026
  • Presenter, “Cheating Death: Estate Planning for a Peaceful Future” – November 2024
  • Presenter, “A Family is A Family is A Family: Estate Planning for Foster & Adoptive Families” – February 2024 
Professional & Community

Admissions 

  • Minnesota
  • North Dakota

Associations

  • Financial Planners Association of Minnesota, Director, Membership Committee
  • Minnesota State Bar Association, Diversity and Inclusion Council, Member
  • Twin  Cities Estate Planning Council, Member 

Community Involvement

  • Hopkins Early Learning Center, Board Member 
  • Story Arts of Minnesota, Board Member & Storyfest Organizer
  • Volunteer Lawyers Network, Volunteer Attorney 
  • SMRLS, Wills for Seniors,  Volunteer Attorney 
  • Wills for Heroes, Volunteer Attorney 
  • The Advocates for Human Rights, Volunteer Attorney 
  • Great North Innocence Project, Speakers Bureau 
  • Sanctuary Covenant Church, Hospitality Team Volunteer