Joshua N. Brekken

• Obtained favorable decision dismissing an opposing party’s motion to modify spousal maintenance, thus forever ending client’s spousal maintenance obligation.
• Successfully defended against a parent’s motion to modify parenting time, keeping the schedule the same and in the best interests for the child, and got client significant attorney-fee award.

• Obtained Ex Parte Emergency Order for Protection on behalf of mother and her minor child.

• Represented numerous clients residing in other states (e.g., Iowa, Wisconsin, North Dakota, California) countries (e.g., Iceland, Japan) and cultural backgrounds with divorce and custody matters, addressing implications under the Hague Convention and Uniform Child Custody Jurisdiction and Enforcement Act in state and federal courts.

• Successfully argued and prevailed in motion hearing for child support, resulting in reduction in the client’s child support obligation that went even below the statutory guidelines.

• Represented client business owner in complex and highly contested divorce proceedings.

• Obtained significant reduction in spousal maintenance and child support payments after client involuntarily lost employment.

• Represented gay and lesbian clients over the years in various family law issues

• Represented single father in obtaining a majority parenting-time schedule against mother who was abusing illegal substances in the presence of the parties’ minor child.

• Guided many clients through amicable divorce process and obtained continuity in the parties’ children’s lives, and an equitable property settlement to maintain a fair standard of living.

• Represented client in complex financial divorce, obtaining significant retirement funds which other party was attempting to claim were non-marital property.

• Represented client in successfully defending a post-decree modification brought by his former spouse attempting to improperly grant her extra financial protections relating to the parties’ marital property division.

Presentations

• Presenter, “Houses and Spouses: Real Estate Concepts in Family Law”. Minnesota Paralegal Association’s Family Law Section, October 2021
• Presenter, “Who Gets the House? – And Related Real Estate Basics in Family Law.” 2021 Family Law Institute
• Presenter, “Real Property and the Family” –  MNCLE. Covering topics related to property issues, home ownership and possession, and similar issues in divorce. September, 2020
• Presenter, “Avoiding Legal Pitfalls” – Woodbury Area Chamber of Commerce, March 2018

Publications

• Member, Minnesota CLE Divorce Practice Deskbook Forms Panel, 2021
• Author, “Love is Love. Marriage is Marriage. And Divorce is Divorce” – Johnson/Turner Legal Blog, November 13, 2017
• Feature, “New Lawyers Spotlight: What is the most vital piece of technology for your practice?” – Hennepin Lawyer, January/February 2019

Admissions

• Minnesota
• U.S. District Court, District of Minnesota

Associations

• Minnesota State Bar Association, Family Law Section, Member
• Hennepin County Bar Association, Member
• 19th District Bar Association, Vice President (2018-2019)
• Woodbury Area Chamber of Commerce, Ambassador Committee (2017-2019), Member

Community Involvement

• Tubman Family Services, Volunteer/Pro Bono Attorney
• Volunteer with Volunteer Lawyers Network

• Rising Star, Minnesota Super Lawyers®, 2018-2023
• North Star Lawyer, Minnesota State Bar Association, 2013-2015, 2017, 2019