Biography
Steven is a top-rated attorney serving clients across the State of Minnesota for more than ten years. He is an experienced litigator, counselor, and mediator, who finds practical solutions for difficult problems faced by his clients. Steven advocates for clients in probate and civil litigation cases, including related matters such as trust and estate litigation, construction and business disputes, guardianship and conservatorship implementation and actions involving real property. Steven also serves as a mediator in family, probate, and civil disputes.
Steven is a former Judicial Law Clerk to the Honorable Judge Thomas M. Neuville (Rice County - Retired). He is an adjunct professor of Law at the Mitchell Hamline School of Law. Prior to practicing law, Steven served as an assistant to a U.S. Congressman, and later, held various advisory positions for State and Federal candidates and Officeholders. Steven has been recognized as a Rising Star since 2019 and a Super Lawyer since 2021.
Steven resides in Woodbury, Minnesota with his wife and three young children.
Practice Areas
- Trust and Estate Litigation
- Civil Litigation
- Probate and Estate Planning
- Mediation
- Real Estate
Bar Admissions
- Minnesota, 2009
- North Dakota, 2009
- Minnesota Supreme Court
- U.S. District Court District of Minnesota, 2019
- U.S. Court of Appeals 8th Circuit, 2019
- United States Supreme Court, 2022
Education
- Hamline University School of Law, St. Paul, Minnesota
- Certificate in Dispute Resolution
- Hamline University School of Law, St. Paul, Minnesota
- J.D.
- Honors: magna cum laude
- Hamline University, Saint Paul, Minnesota
- B.A. - 2003
- Major: Political Science
Honors
- AV Preeminent Rating from Martindale-Hubble Peer Review Ratings
- Minnesota Super Lawyers
- Minnesota Super Lawyers - Rising Star
Professional Associations
- Minnesota State Bar Association (MSBA), Governing Council, Member, 2017 to Present
- American Bar Association (ABA), House of Delegates, Member, 2015 to 2017
- Minnesota State Bar Association (MSBA), Judiciary Committee Member, 2017 to Present
- Minnesota State Bar Association (MSBA), Fifth District Ethics Committee, Investigator, 2017 to Present
- Minnesota State Bar Association (MSBA), Greater Minnesota Section, Council Member, 2016 to Present
- Minnesota State Bar Association, Delegate to the American Bar Association House of Delegates, 2015 to 2017
- Fifth District Bar Association, President, Vice President, Treasurer, 2013 to 2016
- Minnesota State Bar Association (MSBA) - Fifth District, President, Vice President, Treasurer, 2013 to 2016
- City of Cottage Grove, MN, Planning Commissioner, 2007 to 2012
- City of Cottage Grove, MN, Chairman, 2009 to 2011
- City of Cottage Grove, MN, Vice-Chairman, 2011 to 2012
- The Supreme Court of Minnesota Board of Continuing Legal Education, Member, 2021 to Present
Past Positions
- Honorable Judge Thomas M. Neuville, Judicial Law Clerk
- Assistant to U.S. Congressman John Kline, Legislative Assistant
- J. Scott Braden, P.A., Attorney / Shareholder, 2012 to 2020
- Third Judicial District, Law Clerk, 2010 to 2012
Pro-Bono Activities
- Ethics Investigator, Fifth District, 2012 to Present
- Southern Minnesota Regional Legal Services (SMRLS), Volunteer Attorney, 2012 to Present
- Minnesota Youth Ski League (MYSL), Member of the Board of Directors, 2020 to Present
- Minnesota Youth Ski League (MYSL), Coach, 2020 to Present
- Five Oaks Community Church, Member of Governing Board, 2013 to 2019
- St. Thomas School of Law, Mentor, 2016 to 2017
- Karen Organization of Minnesota (KOM), Board of Directors, Member, 2009 to 2016
- Vice-Chairman of Public Relations Committee Organization supporting Burmese refugees living in Minnesota June 2009 to December 2016, 2009 to 2016
- Rice County Conciliation Court, Referee
Representative Cases
- Highly contested family trust involving farm land and equipment. Significant pre-trial litigation and motion hearings, which were resolved in client’s favor.
- Post Decree motion for modification of custody and parenting time resulting in full reversal of prior custody order.
- Proceeding to protect emotionally and financially exploited person. Contested trial involving expert and lay witnesses leading to appointment of Guardian and Conservator. Multiple post trial hearings resolved in Petitioner’s favor.
- Defended client against opposing parties’ motion to reduce child support. Court ultimately increased moving parties’ monthly support obligation to client.
- Initiated Order for Protection on behalf of client’s child. Court granted the protective Order after hearing and modified temporary custody and parenting time to protect the child.
- Successfully defended a request for an Order for Protection against client.
- Collected from judgment debtor who covertly transferred real property to avoid collection by fraudulent transfer.
- Reopened four decade old Court Order in Estate to correct legal description of real property, which allowed current beneficiaries to sell property and to collect proceeds.
Classes & Seminars
- The Probate Process from Start to Finish, National Business Institute, 2017 to 2018
- Presenter: Minnesota CLE Litigating Probate and Trust Disputes in 2022
- Guest Lecturer: Access to Justice Coalition, St. Thomas School of Law, 2017 and 2018
- Minnesota Lawyers Mutual Family Law Webcast, Presenter – Minneapolis, MN - August 20, 2015
- Minnesota State Bar Association – Greater Minnesota Practice Section – The Greatest Practice, Presenter – Webcast, April 15, 2021
Published Works
- One Size Does Not Fit All – Blended and nontraditional families raise the stakes for creating and managing estate plans | Bench&Bar of Minnesota
- AIA Standard Contract Documents: A Positive Step Towards Fair, Transparent, and Collaborative Resolution of Disputes on Construction Projects