Gary A. Debele

• Represented all manner of family law clients in more than 50 appeals before the Minnesota Supreme Court and the Minnesota Court of Appeals, as well as numerous appeals at the Minnesota Department of Human Services resulting in significant appellate decisions affecting adoption, litigation leading to the creation of the Minnesota Father’s Adoption Registry, child protection, relocation issues in divorce, and third-party custody.

• Represented numerous clients at the Minnesota Court of Appeals and Minnesota Supreme Court on matters including spousal maintenance; First Amendment free speech and religious liberty issues; third-party custody; dissipation of assets; business valuation; and custody and parenting time.

• Represented aunt and uncle seeking custody of their niece and nephew before the Minnesota Supreme Court, establishing a seminal precedent and leading to a revision of Minnesota’s third-party custody and visitation statutes.

• Represented owner of large closely-held business in divorce that included a billion-dollar estate with multi-generational estate plans, high-conflict and high-stakes litigation and requiring coordination with multiple advisors,  with the result being obtaining successful resolution without publicity or disruption to the business.

• Represented numerous clients residing in other states (e.g., Illinois, Florida, Pennsylvania, California) or countries (e.g., Lebanon, Kuwait, France, Venezuela)  with divorce and custody matters, addressing implications under the Hague Convention and Uniform Child Custody Jurisdiction and Enforcement Act in state and federal courts.

• Represented members of Indian tribes located throughout Minnesota and Wisconsin, in matters involving divorce, custody, paternity, adoption, surrogacy, child welfare, conservatorships and guardianships, and complex jurisdiction disputes, including one case  requiring representation of a  tribal member client in tribal court, a Canadian provincial court, federal district court, and state district court all in the same divorce proceeding.

• Represented adoptive parents, foster parents, birth parents, children, and adoption agencies involved in all kinds of adoptions  —  ranging from the simplest step-parent, relative, and adult adoptions, to complex state ward adoptions involving foster children and governmental entities, complex interstate and direct placement adoptions, and also international adoptions and litigated adoptions.

• Represented many intended parents, gestational carriers, traditional surrogates, and donors of genetic material in a whole variety of assisted reproduction matters, including  drafting complex contracts to address all aspects of assisted reproduction,  assisting in legal proceedings to establish parentage through  a variety of legal proceedings in various judicial venues, and helping to protect clients’ stored genetic material  in the event of death or divorce.

• Represented parents and children in various juvenile proceedings involving child protection investigations and threatened terminations of parental rights, maltreatment findings and appeals, removals of children from the family home, child protection issues in family court, and threatened criminal charges.  Cases have included children injured in daycare settings, shaken baby allegations, intra-family sexual abuse allegations, with many of these cases requiring working with criminal defense attorneys and forensic evidence and experts.

• Represented gay and lesbian clients over the years in various family law issues, including drafting cohabitation agreements, litigating complex and challenging custody and parenting time issues,  completing many second parent adoptions  before the adoption code specifically allowed for these, and now working with same sex couples to address their family law needs in a  post Obergefel (legalized same sex marriage) world.

• Represented clients with modest estates who have just divorced or who have built families through adoption or assisted reproduction and who are in need of basic  estate planning instruments such as simple wills, health care declarations, powers of attorney, and funeral and burial directives.

Publications

• Co-Author, “Legal Issues Surrounding Embryos and Gametes: What Family Law Practitioners Need to Know” – Journal of the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers 701, 2018

• Co-Author, “Shifting Ethical and Social Conundrums and ‘Stunningly Anachronistic’ Laws: What Lawyers in Adoption and Assisted Reproduction May Want to Consider” – Journal of the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers 101, 2017

• Author, “Adoption Law,” The Complete Lawyer’s Quick Answer Book – Minnesota Continuing Legal Education, 2017, 2019

• Editor, The Complete Family Lawyer’s Quick Answer Book – Minnesota Continuing Legal Education, 2015

• Author, “Third Party Custody” – The Complete Family Lawyer’s Quick Answer Book, Minnesota Continuing Legal Education, 2015

• Author, “Adoption and Assisted Reproduction Technology” – The Complete Family Lawyer’s Quick Answer Book, Minnesota Continuing Legal Education, 2015

• Reviewer, “Marriage Markets: How Inequality is Remaking the American Family” – Journal of the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers 491, 2015

• Co-Author, “Ethical Issues in Assisted Reproduction: A Primer for Family Law Attorneys” – Journal of the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers 289, 2015

• Author, “Family Law Issues for Same-Sex Couples in the Aftermath of Minnesota’s Same-Sex Marriage Law: A Family Law Attorney’s Perspective” – William Mitchell Law Review 157, 2014

• Reviewer, “Intimate Associations: the Law and Culture of American Families” – Journal of the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers 257, 2014-2015

• Editor, The Family Law 50: the 50 Cases Every Family Law Lawyer Must Know Inside and Out – Minnesota Continuing Legal Education, 2012

• Author, “Third Party Custody” – the Family Law 50: The 50 Cases Every Family Law Lawyer Must Know Inside and Out, Minnesota Continuing Legal Education, 2012

• Author, “Adoption and ARTS” – the Family Law 50: The 50 Cases Every Family Law Lawyer Must Know Inside and Out, Minnesota Continuing Legal Education, 2012

• Editor, Minnesota Custody and Child Support Deskbook – Minnesota Continuing Legal Education, Second Edition, 2011

• Author, “The History of Custody” – Minnesota Custody and Child Support Deskbook, Minnesota Continuing Legal Education, Second Edition, 2011

• Co-Author, “Tribal Court Practice and the Indian Child Welfare Act in Minnesota” – Minnesota Custody and Child Support Deskbook, Minnesota Continuing Legal Education, Second Edition, 2011

• Author, “Third Party Custody” – Minnesota Custody and Child Support Deskbook, Minnesota Continuing Legal Education, Second Edition, 2011

• Co-Author, “Child Abuse Allegations in Custody Cases” – Minnesota Custody and Child Support Deskbook, Minnesota Continuing Legal Education, Second Edition, 2011

• Author, “Children’s Issues and Tribal Courts” – Minnesota State Bar Association, 2008
• Editor, “Summary Guide to Minnesota Adoption Law and Procedure: Resources, Timing, and Deadlines” – Minnesota Continuing Legal Education, 2008
• Author, “Custody and Parenting by Persons Other than Biological Parents: When Non-Traditional Family Law Collides with the Constitution” – North Dakota Law Review, Vol 83 Number 4, 2007
• Co-Author, “Prenuptial Agreements in the United States” – International Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers Law Journal, 2007
• Reviewer, “A Century of Juvenile Justice,” 2004
• Author, “Adoption Mediation” – Adoption Law: Practice and Procedure in the 21st Century, New York State Bar Association, 2004
• Author, “The Current State of Third-Party Custody Law in Minnesota” – The Hennepin Lawyer, 2003
• Author, “The Nuts and Bolts of Amicus Curiae Practice” – MSBA Family Law Forum, 2000
• Reviewer, “Family Matters: Secrecy and Disclosure in the History of Adoption” – American Journal of Legal History, 1998
• Reviewer, “The Supreme Court and Juvenile Justice” – American Journal of Legal History, 1998
• Author, “A Children’s Rights Approach to Relocation: A Meaningful Best Interests Standard” – Journal of the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers, Volume 75, 1999
• Author, “Adoption Law and the Family: Facing the 21st Century” – Bench & Bar of Minnesota, 1997
• Co-Author, “Post-Decree Custody Modification: Moving Out of State” – American Journal of Family Law, 1996
• Co-Author, “Private CHIPS Petitions in Minnesota: the Historical and Contemporary Treatment of Children in Need of Protection or Services” – William Mitchell Law Review, 1994
• Editor, Legal Stuff – Hennepin County Bar Association, 1994
• Author, “The Due Process Revolution and the Juvenile Court: the Matter of Race in the Historical Evolution of a Doctrine” – Law & Inequality, 1988

Presentations

• Moderator and Presenter, “The Indian Child Welfare Act and Your Practice: What You Need to Know” – 43rd Annual Family Law Institute – Minnesota CLE, March 22, 2022
• Plenary Speaker, “2022 Family Law Update” – 43nd Annual Family Law Institute – Minnesota CLE, March 21, 2022
• Presenter, “Family Law Series: Child Custody Deskbook – Third Party Custody and Alternative Custodial Arrangements – Minnesota CLE, February 22, 2022
• Presenter, “Family Law Series: Child Custody Deskbook – The Indian Child Welfare Act and Tribal Courts in Minnesota” – Minnesota CLE, February 22, 2022
• Presenter, “Quick Answers to the Legal Questions Friends, Relatives, and Strangers Will Ask Anytime, Anywhere” – 2022 New Lawyers Experience – Minnesota CLE, January 13, 2022
• Course Chair and Moderator, “2021 Advanced Family Law Series” – Minnesota CLE, November 5, 2021
• Presenter, “The Complete Lawyer Series: Adoption Law and ARTS Law” – Minnesota CLE, June 9, 2021
• Plenary Speaker, “2021 Family Law Update” – 42nd Annual Family Law Institute, Minnesota CLE, March 15, 2021
• Presenter, “Assisted Reproduction and Its Implications for Family Law” – Minnesota State Bar Association Family Law Section, March 13, 2021
• Presenter and panelist, “LGBTQ+ – Paths to Pregnancy: Using Donor Sperm to Build Your Family” – Family Equality, December 10, 2020
• Moderator, Presenter, and Course Chair, “Elimination of Bias: the Impact of Race, Culture, and Family Structure in the Courtroom” – 2020 Advanced Family Law Series, Minnesota CLE, November 23, 2020
• Presenter, “Stepparent Adoption in Minnesota” – Minnesota State Bar Association Family Law Section, November 14, 2020
• Plenary Speaker, “2020 Family Law Update” – 41st Annual Family Law Institute, March 23, 2020
• Co-Presenter, “Third Party Custody” and “Adoption & Assisted Reproductive Technology” – The Complete Family Lawyer, Minnesota CLE, January 27, 2020
• Moderator, “Minnesota’s Family Law Appellate Mediation Program: Why Some Cases Settle and Others Don’t” – Advanced Family Law Series, Minnesota CLE, November 19, 2019
• Presenter, “Hot Topics in Minnesota Parentage Law” – Advanced Family Law Series, Minnesota CLE, November 18, 2019
• Presenter, “Advanced Contract Disputes and Resolution in Assisted Reproduction” – Academy of Adoption and Assisted Reproduction Attorneys Annual Meeting, September 23, 2019
• Presenter, “Ethical Issues in Assisted Reproduction, Adoption, and Family Formation” – Hennepin County Bar Association, April 12, 2019
• Presenter, “Custody and Parenting Issues Affecting the LGBTQ+ Community in Minnesota: Legal Trends and Developments Post-Obergefell” – 40th Annual Family Law Insitute, Minnesota CLE, March 18, 2019
• Presenter, “Perspectives on the Indian Child Welfare Act: In the Aftermath of Baby Girl and Its Progeny” – 40th Annual Family Law Institute, Minnesota CLE, March 18, 2019
• Plenary Speaker, “2019 Family Law Update” – 40th Annual Family Law Institute, Minnesota CLE, March 18, 2019
• Presenter, “Family Law Update” – Washington County Bar Association, February 27, 2019
• Course Chair & Moderator, “An Update on Spousal Maintenance and Antenuptial Agreement Litigation Trends Statewide” and “Understanding and Using ACES Evidence in Custody Cases” – 2018 Advanced Family Law Series, Minnesota CLE, November 16, 2018

• Presenter, “An Overview of Assisted Reproduction for Family Law Attorneys: History, Terms and Concepts, Practice, and Ethics” – American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers Annual Meeting, November 9, 2018

• Co-Presenter, “Custody and Parenting Issues Affecting the LGBTQ+ Community in Minnesota: Legal Trends and Developments Post-Obergefell” – Fourth Judicial District Fall Bench Retreat, November 2, 2018

• Presenter, “Brief Legal Update: Family Law” – Minnesota State Bar Association Convention, June 28, 2018

• Presenter, “Ethics and Dealing with the Alleged Birth Father” – American Academy of Adoption & Assisted Reproduction Attorneys 2018 Annual Conference, April 30, 2018

• Presenter, “Indian Child Welfare Act: Avoiding Litigation and Settlement with Tribes” – American Academy of Adoption & Assisted Reproduction Attorneys 2018 Annual Conference, April 29, 2018

• Main Plenary Speaker, “2018 Family Law Update” – 39th Annual Family Law Institute, Minnesota CLE, March 26, 2018

• Presenter, “Contested Adoption Proceedings in Juvenile Court: A Review of the Statutes and Practical Pointers” – Hennepin County Bar Association, February 27, 2018

• Facilitator, “Law & Literature: Legal Ethics & Elimination of Bias” – Hennepin County Bar Association, February 22, 2018

• Co-Presenter, “What is the Standard of Care? How Various State Statutes And Professional Guidelines Address ARTS Ethics Issues — And Why You Should Care” – Academy of Adoption & Assisted Reproduction Attorneys Webinar, January 10, 2018

• Presenter and Course Co-Chair, “Same-Sex Issues in Minnesota Family Law” – Advanced Family Law Series, Minnesota CLE, November 29, 2017

• Presenter, “Domestic Adoption 101” – RESOLVE: 33rd Annual Exploring Paths of Hope/Infertility, Adoption, and Family Building Summit, November 18, 2017

• Presenter, “Assisted Reproduction and Family Law” – Family Law Section of the Olmsted County Bar Association, October 10, 2017

• Co-Presenter, “Modern Day Matchmaking in Assisted Reproduction: Ethics and Standards of Practice” – Academy of Adoption and Assisted Reproduction Attorneys Mid-Year Conference, September 17, 2017

• Co-Presenter, “Avoiding A Mad Tea Party: Malpractice 101 for ARTS Attorneys” – Academy of Adoption and Assisted Reproduction Attorneys Mid-Year Conference, September 17, 2017

• Presenter, “Inside Minnesota’s Child Protection System: What Works and What Doesn’t Work” – Minnesota CLE, May 30, 2017

• Co-Presenter, “What is the ‘Standard of Care’ for Assisted Reproduction: the Ongoing Evolution of Professional Ethics and Liability and Why You Should (Really) Care” – American Academy of Assisted Reproduction Technology Attorneys Annual Conference, May 10, 2017

• Presenter, “Surrogacy and the Indian Child Welfare Act: the Next 25 Years in Indian Law – Cutting-Edge Issues” – 2017 Indian Law Conference, May 5, 2017

• Facilitator, “Law and Literature: Legal Ethics and Elimination of Bias” – Hennepin County Bar Association, April 6, 2017

• Presenter, “How to Make the Transition from Associate to Partner/Owner in a Family Law Practice” – 38th Annual Family Law Institute, Minnesota CLE, March 22, 2017

• Main Plenary Speaker, “2017 Family Law Update” – 38th Annual Family Law Institute, Minnesota CLE, March 21, 2017

• Course Chair and Co-Presenter, “Advanced Family Law Series: The Interplay of Juvenile Court and Family Court: Practice, Procedure, and What All Family Law Attorneys Must Know” – Minnesota CLE, December 1, 2016

• Course Chair and Co-Presenter, “Advanced Family Law Series: The Indian Child Welfare Act: New Guidelines and BIA Regulations and Federal Court Challenges to ICWA” – Minnesota CLE, December 1, 2016

• Co-Presenter, “Family Law Series: Child Custody Deskbook – Adoption and ART Law: Creating Families by Traditional and Non-Traditional Means” – Minnesota CLE, November 30, 2016

• Presenter, “Family Law Series: Child Custody Deskbook – Alternative Custody and Abuse Allegations in Custody Cases” – Minnesota CLE, November 22, 2016

• Plenary Co-Presenter, “Ethics in Adoption and ARTS: Evaluating Decisions, What Duties Are Owed, and Whose Interests Are Served” – American Academy of Adoption Attorneys and American Academy of Assisted Reproduction Technology Attorneys Mid-Year Conference, September 24, 2016

• Presenter, “The Complete Lawyer Series: Adoption Law and ARTS Law” – Minnesota CLE, July 27, 2016

• Facilitator, “Law and Literature: Legal Ethics and Elimination of Bias” – Hennepin County Bar Association, June 16, 2016

• Presenter, “Adoption Law and ARTS Law” – The Complete Lawyer, May 11, 2016

• Lecturer, “Legal Aspects of Third Party Reproduction: Issues Surrounding the Use and Handling of Cryopreserved Genetic Material and Other Topics” – Mayo Clinic: Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility Didactics Program, May 11, 2016

• Presenter, “Update on the Indian Child Welfare Act: Appellate Case Law in the States after Adoptive Couple v. Baby Girl – Trends and Controversies” – Annual Meeting of the American Academy of Adoption Attorneys, May 5, 2016

• Presenter, “Out of the Freezer and Into the Divorce: What Family Law Attorneys Need to Know about Cryopreserved Genetic Material” – 37th Annual Family Law Institute, Minnesota CLE, March 29, 2016

• Presenter, “The Creation, Storage, and Use of Genetic Materials in Assisted Reproduction: What Divorce Lawyers Needs to Know” – International Academy of Family Lawyers, USA and Canadian Chapters Annual Meeting, February 4, 2016

• Presenter, “Family Law Series: Receiverships and Divorce” – Minnesota CLE, November 20, 2015

• Course Chair and Presenter, “The Complete Family Lawyer: Answers to 101 Questions in 16 Areas of Family Law” – Minnesota CLE, November 18, 2015

• Co-Presenter, “Unlocking the Secrets of Chambers Conferences” – Walling, Berg & Debele, P.A., October 13, 2015

• Presenter, “Embryo Planning in the Context of Parentage, Divorce, and Death: Is an Ounce of Prevention Worth a Pound of Cure?” – American Academy of Assisted Reproduction Technology Attorneys, October 6, 2015

• Course Chair & Presenter, “Minnesota’s New Family Laws” – Minnesota CLE, August 24, 2015

• Presenter, “A Brief History of Minnesota’s Child Protection System” – Inside Minnesota’s Child Protection System: How New Reforms Will Better Protect Children, Minnesota CLE, August 10, 2015

• Co-Presenter, “Complex Civil Jurisdiction Issues in Tribal Court: The Teague Factors and Beyond” – 2015 Indian Law Conference, May 15, 2015

• Presenter, “Adoption Law (and ARTS)” – The Complete Lawyer: Answers to 101 Questions Asked by Your Clients, Family, and Friends, Minnesota CLE, May 6, 2015

• Co-Presenter, “Juvenile Protection Law In Minnesota” – Minnesota CLE, April 20, 2015

• Co-Presenter, ”Smoke Screen or Fire: Sexual Abuse Allegations in Family Court – Part II: Legal Issues and Judicial Involvement” – AFCC-MN Chapter, February 20, 2015

• Presenter, “Representing Children in Juvenile, Probate, and Family Court” – Advising the Disadvantaged 2015, Minnesota CLE, February 4, 2015

• Keynote Speaker, “How to Earn a Good Reputation as a New Lawyer” – The New Lawyer Experience, Minnesota CLE, January 29, 2015

• Conference Course Chair and Co-Presenter, “Advanced Parentage Issues in 2014: Where Are We Now, How Did We Get Here, and Where Are We Going?” – Advanced Family Law 2014, Minnesota CLE, November 17, 2014

• Co-Presenter, “New Rules – Adoption Procedure and Juvenile Protection Procedure” – Minnesota CLE Family Law Series, November 11, 2014

• Facilitator, “Law and Literature: Legal Ethics and Elimination of Bias” – Hennepin County Bar Association, October 3, 2014

• Presenter, “Issues at the Start of Life: Parentage, Adoption, and Surrogacy – Where We’ve Been and Where We’re Going” International Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers Annual Meeting, September 11, 2014

• Co-Presenter, “Assisted Reproduction: Parentage Determinations Across the 49th Parallel” – Federation of Law Societies of Canada, 2014 National Family Law Program, July 16, 2014

• Facilitator, “Law and Literature: Legal Ethics and Elimination of Bias” – Hennepin County Bar Association, June 19, 2014

• Presenter, “Planning in Light of Minnesota’s New Marriage Laws” – Financial Planning Association of Minnesota, June 17, 2014

• Co-Presenter, “Modern Family: Grandparent and Other Third Party Disputes in the United States and Canada” – 51st Annual Conference of the Association of Family and Conciliation Courts, May 29, 2014

• Presenter, “Adoption Law (and ARTS)” – The Complete Lawyer: Answers to 101 Questions Asked by Your Clients, Family, and Friends, Minnesota CLE, May 15, 2014

• Presenter, “Adoptive Couple v. Baby Girl: Implications for Adoption Practice and the Future of the Indian Child Welfare Act” – 2014 American Academy of Adoption Attorneys Annual Conference, May 8, 2014

• Co-Presenter, “Custody and Parentage for Same-Sex Couples: Legal Issues, Litigation Strategies, and the New Gender Neutral Marriage Law” – 35th Annual Family Law Institute, Minnesota CLE, March 24, 2014

• Moderator, “The Affordable Care Act and Its Impact on Minnesota Family Law” – 35th Annual Family Law Institute, Minnesota CLE, March 24, 2014

• Co-Presenter, “The Legal Status of LGBTQ Parents in an Era of Assisted Reproductive Technology” – University of Minnesota Law School and Law Students for Reproductive Justice, March 13, 2014

• Presenter, “Representing Children in Juvenile, Probate, and Family Court” – Advising the Disadvantaged 2014, Minnesota CLE, January 29, 2014

• Co-Presenter, “Estate Planning for Unmarried Couples – Special Planning Opportunities and Potential Pitfalls” – 2013 Probate & Estate Planning Flex Series, December 18, 2013

• Presenter, “Divorce, Separation, Custody and Parentage for Same-Sex Couples: Legal Issues, Litigation Strategies, and the New Gender Neutral Marriage Law” – University of Minnesota Law School, November 18, 2013; Minnesota Guardian Ad Litem Training Institute, December 4, 2013

• Course Chair and Moderator, “Advanced Family Law 2013” – Minnesota CLE, November 21, 2013

• Co-Presenter, “Family Law Series: Child Custody Deskbook – The Indian Child Welfare Act and Tribal Courts in Minnesota” – Minnesota CLE, November 19, 2013

• Presenter, “ARTS and Divorce: General Concepts and Considerations for ARTS Practitioners” – 2013 American Academy of Assisted Reproduction Technology Attorneys Mid-Year Conference, November 12, 2013

• Co-Presenter, “Managing Client Expectations” – American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers, Minnesota Chapter, September 27, 2013

• Presenter, “Domestic Adoption 101” – 2013 Family Building Conference, RESOLVE Midwest Region, September 21, 2013

• Presenter, “The Impact of Minnesota’s New Gender Neutral Marriage Law: Family and Juvenile Court Proceedings” – Twin Cities Estate Planning Counsel, September 17, 2013; Minnesota Philanthropy Partners, September 19, 2013

• Co-Presenter, “Custody and Parentage for Same Sex Couples: Legal Issues, Litigation Strategies, and the New General Neutral Marriage Law (Minnesota)” – AFCC-MN, September 4, 2013

• Facilitator, “Law and Literature: Legal Ethics and Elimination of Bias” – Hennepin County Bar Association, June 14, 2013

• Presenter, “Legal Issues Surrounding Per Capita Payments and other Distributions of Tribal Revenues: Taxation, Bankruptcy, and Divorce” – 2013 Indian Law Conference, June 7, 2013

• Panel Moderator, “ICWA at the U.S. Supreme Court: Adoptive Couple v. Baby Girl, Birth Father, and the Cherokee Nation” – 2013 Indian Law Conference, June 7, 2013

• Presenter, “Family Law 50: Third-Party Custody Cases and Adoption/ARTS Cases” – 34th Annual Family Law Institute, March 20, 2013

• Facilitator, “Law and Literature: Legal Ethics and Elimination of Bias” – Hennepin County Bar Association, March 15, 2013

• Presenter, “Third Party Custody in Minnesota” – Dakota County Bar Association, March 12, 2013

• Presenter and Panel Moderator, “Hot Topics in Family Law Appeals” – 7th Annual Appellate Practice Institute, March 8, 2013

• Presenter, “The History of Adoption and Adoption Law Today” – Polish Genealogical Society of Minnesota, March 2, 2013

• Co-Presenter, “Principles of Federal Indian Law Applicable to Family Law Issues in State Courts” – International Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers, US/Canada Chapter, Annual Meeting, February 14, 2013

• Co-Presenter, “Paternity, Maternity, and Reproductive Technology: International Perspectives on the Changing Faces of Parenthood” – International Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers, US/Canada Chapter, Annual Meeting, February 14, 2013

• Presenter, “Representing Children in Juvenile, Probate, and Family Court” – Advising the Disadvantaged I: A Toolkit for Pro Bono and Public Interest Attorneys, Minnesota CLE, February 5, 2013

• Facilitator, “Law and Literature: Legal Ethics and Elimination of Bias” – Hennepin County Bar Association, January 18, 2013

• Course Chair & Presenter, “The Family Law 50: The 50 Cases Every Family Lawyer Must Know Inside and Out” – November 29, 2012

• Presenter, “Family Law Series: Child Custody Deskbook – Adoption and Assisted Reproduction Technology Law – Creating Families by Traditional and Non-Traditional Means” – Webcast, November 29, 2012

• Presenter, “Interstate and International Family Law Matters: What you Need to Know to Tell Your Clients” – North Star Alliance Annual Meeting, October 11, 2012

• Facilitator, “Literature & the Law – Ethics and Professionalism through the Lens of Literature” – 47th Annual Criminal Justice Institute, August 27, 2012

• Presenter, “Adoption Law” – The Complete Lawyer: Answers to 101 Questions Asked by Your Clients, Family, and Friends, August 23, 2012

• Facilitator, “Law and Literature: Legal Ethics and Elimination of Bias” – Hennepin County Bar Association, June 21, 2012

• Co-Presenter, “Issues in Assisted Reproduction Law in the United States and Canada” – 49th Annual Conference of the Association of Family and Conciliation Courts, June 9, 2012

• Presenter, “Legal Aspects of Adoption” – RESOLVE 2012 Family Building Conference, April 21, 2012

• Moderator, “Basic Appellate Practice for Family Law Attorneys” and “Advanced Appellate Practice for Family Law Attorneys” – 33rd Annual Family Law Institute, Minnesota CLE, March 26, 2012

• Panelist, “Adoption Panel” – University of Minnesota Law School Diversity Week 2012, University of Minnesota Law School, March 8, 2012

• Facilitator, “Law and Literature: Legal Ethics and Elimination of Bias” – Hennepin County Bar Association, February 17, 2012

• Presenter, “Family Law Series: Adoption, Assisted Reproduction and Third Party Custody Arrangements: Building Families in the 21st Century” – Hennepin County Bar Association, 6-part webcast, November 10, 2011, December 8, 2011, February 9, 2012, March 8, 2012, April 12, 2012, and May 10, 2012

• Facilitator, “Law and Literature: Legal Ethics and Elimination of Bias” – Hennepin County Bar Association, December 16, 2011

• Co-presenter, “Family Law Series: Adoption and Assisted Reproductive Technology Law – Creating Families by Traditional and Non-Traditional Means” – November 22, 2011

• Course Chairperson & Presenter, “Minnesota Child Custody Deskbook, 2nd Edition” – Minnesota CLE, October 26, 2011

• Presenter, “Current Issues in Assisted Reproduction Technology” – Top 10 Current Challenges in Family Law, National Business Institute, October 12, 2011

• Panelist, “Dealing with Difficult Lawyers, Clients, and Judges” – The New Lawyer Experience, Summer Session 2011, July 7, 2011

• Co-Presenter, “Love and the Law: Drafting and Enforcing Premarital, Postmarital, and Cohabitation Agreements” – Hennepin County Bar Association, June 29, 2011

• Co-Presenter “Alternative Dispute Resolution in Child Custody Cases” – Minnesota CLE webcast, May 10, 2011

• Presenter, “Avoiding Contested Adoptions When Possible; Litigating Contested Adoptions When Necessary: Tips and Strategies for Adoption Attorneys Handling Contested State Ward Adoptions” – 22nd Annual Conference of the American Academy of Adoption Attorneys, May 6, 2011

• Facilitator, “Law, Literature, Legal Ethics, and Elimination of Bias” – 32nd Annual Family Law Institute, March 29, 2011

• Presenter, “Managing High-Conflict Family Law Disputes as Problem Solvers” – 32nd Annual Family Law Institute, Minnesota CLE, March 28, 2011

• Lecturer, “When Parents Can’t Parent Their Children: Third Party Custody, CHIPS Proceedings, De Facto Custodians, Guardianship, and Adoption” – Hamline University Law School, March 17, 2011

• Presenter, “Legal Aspects of Adoption” – Resolve Midwest Region, March 12, 2011

• Presenter, “Managing Child Abuse Allegations in Custody Cases” – Volunteer Lawyers Network, February 25, 2011

• Course Co-Chair & Presenter, “Strategies for Adoption Agencies and Attorneys: Loss Prevention, Management, and Litigation Covering Disrupted and Wrongful Adoptions” – American Academy of Adoption Attorneys Mid-Year Meeting, October 14-15, 2010

• Facilitator, “Law, Literature, Legal Ethics, and Elimination of Bias” – Hennepin County Bar Association, June 18, 2010
• Co-Presenter, “Third Party Custody and Non-Traditional Families” – Family Law for the Minnesota Judiciary, June 8, 2010
• Co-Presenter, “Training and Re-Training Lawyers to Manage High Conflict Family Law Disputes as Problem Solvers” – 47th Annual Conference, Association of Family and Conciliation Courts, June 5, 2010
• Presenter, “Interstate and International Custody and Parenting Time Issues” – 31st Annual Family Law Institute, March 23-24, 2010
• Presenter, “Domestic Adoption 101” – Resolve’s 2010 Family Building Conference, March 13, 2010
• Facilitator, “Law, Literature, Legal Ethics, and Elimination of Bias” – Hennepin County Bar Association, February 18, 2010
• Presenter, “Representing Children in Juvenile, Probate, and Family Court” – Minnesota Continuing Legal Education, February 16, 2010
• Panel Participant, “Immigration Law and Family Law: Marriage, Divorce, Adoption and the Rights of Children” – Minnesota Continuing Legal Education, December 10, 2009
• Course Chair and Presenter, “Solving the Most Difficult Problems in Divorce Cases: An Advanced Level Seminar” – Minnesota Continuing Legal Education, November 17, 2009
• Course Chair and Presenter, “Interstate Custody Disputes: Understanding and Applying the UCCJEA” – Hennepin County Bar Association, September 24, 2009
• Presenter, “Legal Questions about Assisted Reproductive Technology: Drafting Agreements and Establishing Parentage” – Hennepin County Bar Association, June 17, 2009
• Facilitator, “Law, Literature, Legal Ethics and Elimination of Bias” – Hennepin County Bar Association, June 11, 2009
• Presenter, “Tribal Court Practice in Child Protection and Custody Matters” – 46th Annual Conference, Association of Family and Conciliation Courts, May 28, 2009
• Presenter, “Negotiating and Litigating Step-Parent Adoptions, Disrupted Adoptions, and Contested Adoptions” – 30th Annual Family Law Institute, March 30, 2009
• Facilitator, “Everything You Always Wanted to Know About Alternative Dispute Resolution” – American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers, Minnesota Chapter, September 18-21, 2008
• Presenter, “Handling Contested and Disrupted Adoptions” – Minnesota Continuing Legal Education, September 11, 2008
• Co-Presenter, “Managing Child Abuse Allegations in Custody Cases” – 45th Annual Association of Family and Conciliation Courts Conference, May 31, 2008
• Presenter, “Domestic Adoption 101” – Resolve’s 2008 Family Building Conference, Midwest Region, May 17, 2008
• Presenter, “Responding to Child Protection Investigations in Juvenile Court” – Hennepin County Bar Association, April 9, 2008
• Lecturer, “Drafting Contracts in Assisted Reproduction Cases” – University of St. Thomas Law School, March 26, 2008
• Facilitator, “Law, Literature, Legal Ethics and Elimination of Bias” – Hennepin County Bar Association, March 20, 2008
• Co-Presenter, “Legal Questions about Assisted Reproductive Technology” – Hennepin County Bar Association, February 15, 2008
• Presenter, “Discussion of Proposed ARTS Legislation” – Minnesota State Bar Association, Family Law Section Meeting, September 8, 2007
• Facilitator, “Law, Literature, Legal Ethics and Elimination of Bias” – Hennepin County Bar Association, June 19-27, 2007
• Co-Presenter, “Abuse Allegations in Custody Cases” – 28th Annual Family Law Institute, March 29, 2007
• Lecturer, “Assisted Reproduction Technology Services: an Overview” – University of St. Thomas Law School, March 27, 2007
• Facilitator, “Familyopoly: the Game of Family Law Skills” – American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers, Minnesota Chapter. October 12-15, 2006
• Course Chair and Presenter, “Minnesota Custody and Child Support” – September 18, 2006
• Facilitator, “Law, Literature, Legal Ethics and Elimination of Bias” – Hennepin County Bar Association, June 20, 2006
• Presenter, “Creative Options for Third-Party Custody” – 27th Annual Family Law Institute, March 29, 2006
• Presenter, “Legal Aspects of Adoption” – RESOLVE of Minnesota Family Building Conference, February 25, 2006
• Presenter, “New Minnesota Rules of Adoption Procedure: An Overview and Analysis” – Adoption Law and Practice, January 20, 2006
• Presenter, “An Overview of Juvenile Court Practice for the Family Law Practitioner” – Hennepin County Bar Association Family Law Section, December 14, 2005
• Facilitator, “Protecting Your Aspirations: Exploring and Sharpening the Skills to Attain a Balanced Family Law Practice” – American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers, Minnesota Chapter, September 30, 2005
• Presenter, “Family Law in Tribal Courts” – The Minnesota American Indian Bar Association, September 23, 2005
• Presenter, “When Parents Can’t Parent Their Children: Third Party Custody, CHIPS Proceedings, De Facto Custodians, Guardianship and Adoption” – Volunteer Lawyers Network Annual Family Law Seminar, June 22, 2005
• Facilitator, “Law, Literature, Legal Ethics and Elimination of Bias” – Hennepin County Bar Association, June 8-24, 2005
• Presenter, “Domestic Relations in the 21st Century” – North Dakota Judicial Institute, May 24, 2005
• Presenter, “New Adoption Procedural Rules and Amendments to the Guardian Ad Litem Rules: An Overview and Analysis” – 26th Family Law Institute, March 30, 2005
• Facilitator, “Law, Literature, Legal Ethics and Elimination of Bias” – Hennepin County Bar Association, February 18, 2005
• Presenter, “Advising the Disadvantaged: Representing Children in Juvenile, Probate, and Family Court”, February 15, 2005
• Presenter, “Adoption Rules 101: What You Should Know about the New Minnesota Rules of Adoption Procedure” – MSBA Children and the Law Section, December 16, 2004
• Presenter, “What You Say is What You Get: Oral and Written Communication Skills for Family Law Practitioners” – American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers, Minnesota Chapter, Competence & Conscience and Family Law Conference, October 8, 2004
• Presenter, “Domestic Adoption – Legal Aspects” – RESOLVE of Minnesota Family Building Conference, October 2, 2004
• Presenter, “Legal Aspects of Adoption” – RESOLVE Adoption Education Series, April 10, 2004
• Presenter, “When Parents Can’t Parent Their Children: Third Party Custody, CHIPS Proceedings, De Facto Custodians, Guardianships, and Adoption” – 25th Family Law Institute, March 29, 2004
• Presenter, “Creating Families Through Assisted Reproductive Technology” – Ninth Annual Rainbow Families Conference, February 28, 2004
• Presenter, “Custody Outside the Box: New and Unusual Custody Situations” – Hennepin County Bar Association, December 11, 2003
• Presenter, “Third Party Custody in Minnesota” – Tenth Judicial District Guardian ad Litem Training, September 23, 2003
• Presenter, “Legal Aspects of Adoption” – RESOLVE’S Annual Infertility and Adoption Conference, September 20, 2003
• Presenter, “Permanency Mediation in Juvenile Court: Special Issues in Adoption and Child Protection Mediation” – 2003 Annual Conference of the Family Law Section of the Association for Conflict Resolution, July 10, 2003
• Presenter, “Creating Families Through Assisted Reproductive Technology, Adoption, and Third-Party Custody” – RESOLVE, Minnesota Chapter, April 5, 2003
• Presenter, “Family and Juvenile Law Practice in Tribal Courts” – 24th Family Law Institute, April 1, 2003
• Presenter, “Lawyers, Contracts, and Courts: Creating A Legally Recognized Parent-Child Relationship Using Assisted Reproductive Technology” – Tenth Annual Infertility-Hoping & Coping Conference, March 15, 2003
• Presenter, “Psychological Testing in Family Law: The Lawyer’s Perspective” – Hennepin County Bar Association, February 28, 2003
• Presenter, “Creating Families Through Assisted Reproductive Technology, Adoption, and Third Party Custody” – 8th Annual Rainbow Families Conference, February 22, 2003
• Presenter, “Dealing with Difficult Opposing Counsel” – The New Lawyer Experience, January 6, 2003
• Course Chair and Presenter, “Best Interests of the Child in Court: Today and Tomorrow,” November 18, 2002
• Presenter, “Third Party Custody in Minnesota after N.A.K. and the New Statute” – Washington County Bar Association, October 31, 2002
• Facilitator, “Law and Literature: Elimination of Bias” – MSBA Annual Conference, June 27, 2002
• Presenter, “Assisted Reproductive Technology: What Every Estate Planning Attorney Should Know” – 28th Annual Probate and Trust Law Section Conference, June 11, 2002
• Moderator, “Marketing Your Adoption Practice” – American Academy of Adoption Attorneys, April 27, 2002
• Presenter, “Assisted Reproductive Technology: What Every Family Law Attorney Should Know” – 23rd Family Law Institute, March 25, 2002
• Presenter, “Child Protection Cases and Appellate Practice” – MSBA Children and the Law Section, March 18, 2002
• Presenter, “Fair Hearings and Appeals” – American Academy of Adoption Attorneys’ Special Needs Adoption Advocacy Training, October 20, 2001
• Presenter, “Adoption Mediation: Solving Problems and Developing Good Communication for Adoption” – The First International Conference of the Association for Conflict Resolution, October 13, 2001
• Facilitator, “Law and Literature: “A Discussion of Personal and Professional Ethics and Bias” – MSBA Law and Literature Committee, June 8, 2001
• Presenter, “Mediation: What is it and Why use it in Adoption Disputes?” – American Academy of Adoption Attorneys, April 26, 2001
• Facilitator, “Law and Literature: Elimination of Bias” – 22nd Family Law Institute, March 20, 2001
• Presenter, “Adoption Mediation Training” – American Academy of Adoption Attorneys, February 18-20, 2001
• Presenter, “Mediating Third-Party and Grandparent Custody and Visitation Disputes” – Family Support Project, Ramsey County Human Services, May 24, 2000
• Presenter, “The Status of Assisted Reproductive Technology Services in Minnesota” – 2000 Annual Meeting, American Academy of Adoption Attorneys, April 30, 2000
• Presenter, “Mediation and Other Forms of Alternative Dispute Resolution as Applied to Disputes Involving Adoption” – 2000 Annual Meeting, American Academy of Adoption Attorneys, April 28, 2000
• Presenter, “Effective Marketing of Your Family Law Practice” – 21st Family Law Institute, March 30, 2000
• Moderator and Presenter, “Family and Juvenile Issues in Tribal Court” – 21st Family Law Institute, March 29, 2000
• Presenter, “Child Custody and Time Sharing in Minnesota” – National Business Institute, December 14, 1999
• Presenter, “Disclosure Issues” – American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers, Minnesota Chapter, October 3, 1999
• Presenter, “AAAA Mediation Committee Training Session”, – 1999 Mid-Year American Academy of Adoption Attorneys Meeting, September 23, 1999
• Organizer, “Tribal Courts and Family Law in Minnesota” – MSBA Annual Convention, July 1, 1999
• Presenter, “Emerging Discovery Issues in Family Law” – Minnesota Law & Politics, June 8, 1999
• Presenter, “Marketing Your Family Law Practice” – 20th Family Law Institute, April 6, 1999
• Presenter, “Family Law and Teens” – Legal Expo 99, March 3, 1999
• Presenter, “An Update on the Putative Father’s Adoption Registry” – Hennepin County Juvenile Law Committee, January 21, 1998
• Co-Chairman and Presenter, “Adoption Law in Minnesota” – National Business Institute, December 8, 1998
• Presenter, “Juvenile Court Issues, Third Party Issues, Grandparent Issues, and Other Unusual Family Law Matters” – ADR and Family Law, Minnesota Institute of Legal Education, December 3, 1998
• Presenter, “Adoptions: Can We Ensure They Are for Life?” – National Association of Legal Secretaries National Conference, October 11, 1998
• Presenter, “Children and Mental Health in Minnesota” – Medical Education Services, Inc., September 25, 1998
• Presenter, “Adoption Law” – Minnesota Institute of Legal Education, May 21, 1998
• Presenter, “Certified Family Law Alternative Dispute Resolution Training”, MCLE, May 12, 1997; July 23, 1997; December 30, 1997; and June 26, 1998
• Presenter, “Adoption Law in Minnesota” – Medical Educational Services, Inc., June 19, 1997
• Presenter, “Open Adoptions in Minnesota and Other Developments in Adoption Law” – 18th Family Law Institute, April 1997
• Presenter, “Open Adoptions Family Law Series: Adoption Law Update” – Minnesota Law & Politics, December 9, 1996
• Co-Chairman and Presenter, “Child Custody and Visitation in Minnesota” – National Business Institute, Inc., March 14, 1996
• Presenter, “Jurisdictional Issues: Types of Actions and Alternative Forums” – Child Custody and Placement, September 1994
• Presenter, “Life and Health Insurance Provisions in Marital Termination Agreements” – Drafting Marital Termination Agreements, September 1993

Admissions

• Minnesota

• Wisconsin

• U.S. District Court, District of Minnesota

• U.S. Court of Appeals, Eighth Circuit

• U.S. Supreme Court

• Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux (Dakota) Tribal Court

• Prairie Island Mdewakanton Dakota Tribal Court

• Lower Sioux Community Tribal Court

• Upper Sioux Community Tribal Court

Certifications

• Adoption Mediator, American Academy of Adoption Attorneys

• Mediator, Minnesota Court of Appeals Family Law Mediation Project

• Qualified Neutral under Rule 114, Family & Civil Mediator, Minnesota Supreme Court

Associations

• American Bar Association, Family Law, Real Property, Probate and Trust Law Sections, Member

• Minnesota State Bar Association, Children and the Law, Family Law, Elder Law, Probate and Trust Law Sections, Member

• Hennepin County Bar Association, Family Law, Probate and Estate Law Sections and Juvenile Law Committee, Member

• Minnesota American Indian Bar Association, Special Member

• Academy of Adoption and Assisted Reproduction Attorneys, Contested Adoption Committee Chair, Amicus Committee, Mediation Committee, International Practice Committee, Ethics Rules Committee, Fellow
• American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers, Board of Editors Member, Fellow
• American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers, Minnesota Chapter, Board of Managers, Legislation Committee, Amicus Committee, Member
• Association of Family and Conciliation Courts, Editorial Board, Member
• Collaborative Law Institute of Minnesota, Member
• International Academy of Family Lawyers, Assisted Reproduction Services Committee, Fellow
• Minnesota State Court Administrator’s Advisory Committee on Child-Focused Parenting Time, Appointed Member
• Minnesota Supreme Court Historical Society, Preservation Committee Chairman, Board of Directors
• Uniform Parentage Act (UPA) Stakeholder and Drafting Committee, Appointed Member

Community Involvement

• Children’s Law Center of Minnesota, Volunteer Attorney

• Lafayette Club, Member
• Masterworks Chorale of Augsburg College, Member
• Saint Olaf College Liberal Arts and Law Committee, Member
• Wayzata Community Church (Congregational), Member

• Fellow, International Academy of Family Lawyers, 2013-Present

• Fellow, Academy of Adoption & Assisted Reproduction Attorneys, 2017-Present*

• Fellow, American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers, Chicago, 1998-Present

• Martindale-Hubbell® AV Preeminent® For Ethical Standards and Legal Ability

• Recognized Lawyer, The Best Lawyers in America^©, 2001-2024

• Top 100 Super Lawyer, Minnesota Law & Politics and Minnesota Super Lawyers®, 2005-2024

• Top 40 Minnesota Family Law and Appellate Attorney, Minnesota Super Lawyers®, 2003-2020

• Super Lawyer, Minnesota Law & Politics and Minnesota Super Lawyers®, 1998-2024

• Best Lawyers in Minnesota, Minnesota Monthly Magazine, 2016-2024
• Family Law Lawyer of the Year in Minneapolis, Best Lawyers®, 2019
• Family Law Lawyer of the Year in Minnesota, Minnesota Monthly Magazine, 2019
• Fellow and Charter Member, American Academy of Assisted Reproductive Technology Attorneys, 2009-2017*
• Fellow, American Academy of Adoption Attorneys, 1996-2017*

• Family Law Lawyer of the Year in Minneapolis, Best Lawyers®, 2011

• Lawyer of the Year, Minnesota Lawyer, 2010
• Professional Award Recipient, Hennepin County Bar Association Family Law Section, 2010

• Top 10 Super Lawyer, Minnesota Law & Politics, 2009

• Top 10 Super Lawyer, Minnesota Law & Politics, 2007

• Century III Leadership Award, Cloquet Senior High School

• Honors Graduate, Cloquet Senior High School, 1980

• Representative, Presidential Classroom for Young Americans, Washington, D.C.

• Junior Rotarian & Scholarship Recipient, Cloquet, Minnesota

*The American Academy of Adoption Attorneys (“AAAA”) and its specialty division, the American Academy of Assisted Reproductive Technology Attorneys (“AAARTA”) were unified in 2017 under one name: The Academy of Adoption and Assisted Reproduction Attorneys.