Third Quarter 2020
Biological Father Recognized as a Legal Parent of Child Placed for Adoption Without His Consent
After two and a half years of litigation, a biological father has been recognized as a legal parent of his child who was placed for adoption without his consent, according to a recent Minnesota Supreme Court decision. Read the article by Michelle Kuhl.

Primed for Sale: How to Know When It's Time to Sell the Family Business
In many cases, it makes more sense to sell a family business instead of passing it to the next generation to operate. During nearly five decades of practicing law, Bob Abdo has advised numerous family businesses. One thing he’s learned: “No two families are the same.” Bob Abdo was featured this Twin Cities Business article.

Staying Nimble in a Time of Tumult
At a rate none of us anticipated, except those with a military background, Minnesota Trucking Association members are asked to pivot on a moment’s notice to respond to changed circumstances, a new law, a news story, a piece of social media, or a personal plea from an employee or client. How to timely respond? Read the article by Mike Glover which appeared in the April 2020 Trucking Minnesota Magazine.

Estate Planning From Home: What You Should Know
Cameron Kelly authored an article which appeared in the May 2020 Hudson Neighbors magazine, "Estate Planning From Home: What You Should Know."

$10,000 Minnesota Grant Now Accepting Applications
The Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED) began accepting applications in June for a new grant program from the State of Minnesota. Read the article by Matt Hartranft to view eligibility requirements and for a link to the application.


What Employers Should Consider Before Reopening the Front Door
The COVID-19 pandemic created many new challenges and issues for employers and individuals. As states continue to modify and end stay-at-home orders, Minnesota and Wisconsin employers should give substantial consideration to the many employment issues as furloughed and laid off employees return to the workplace. Read the article by Stacey DeKalb and Mike Glover.


An article on this topic by Stacey DeKalb also appeared in the Hudson Neighbors magazine.
COVID-19 Countermeasures Receive Broad Immunity
The Department of Health and Human Services passed a Declaration under the Public Readiness and Emergency Preparedness (PREP) Act, which states that negligence cases involving future COVID-19 vaccines, treatments and certain medical devices will be barred from state and federal courts with narrow exceptions. Read the article by Kathleen Loucks which appeared in the May 18, 2020 Minnesota Lawyer.

Bad News for Insurers on Bad Faith
The Minnesota Supreme Court released its highly anticipated decision in Peterson v. Western National on July 29, 2020. This decision was the first case in which the Court interpreted the first party bad faith statute. As expected, the Court interpreted the statute in a way that will likely lead to more bad faith claims being asserted against first party insurers in Minnesota. Read the article by Larry Rocheford and Michelle Kuhl.

Important Insurance Coverage Decision from the Wisconsin Supreme Court
Choinsky is the Wisconsin Supreme Court’s most recent decision outlining the recommended practices for resolving insurance coverage issues. Read the article by Larry Rocheford, including best practices for insurers.

Minnesota Supreme Court Contemporizes and Retains Severe-or-Pervasive Standard
The Minnesota Supreme Court rendered a recent decision in a human rights violation case where an employee sued her former employer for sexual harassment in violation of the Minnesota Human Rights Act. The Minnesota Supreme Court found that the facts alleged by Kenneh were severe-or-pervasive that a reasonable person may find the work environment hostile or abusive. Read the article by Larry Rocheford.

Hudson Office
We've been featuring videos about Lommen Abdo attorneys and our practice areas. In this edition Jamie Johnson and Brent Johnson discuss the services provided in our Hudson, Wisconsin, office in this updated video.

Firm News
Lommen Abdo Expands its Transactional and Business Practices
Sara Wilson has joined Lommen Abdo in its Minneapolis office. Sara has unique experience in being fully capable of handling both transactional and litigation matters. Sara’s transactional practice includes real estate; business formation, governance and succession planning; and loan documentation for commercial lenders. Sara also has significant experience in the area of estates and trusts.

2020 Super Lawyers
Lommen Abdo attorneys are recognized by their peers in the 2020 Minnesota Super Lawyer lists. Congratulations to Creig Andreasen, Keith Broady, John Crawford, Kay Nord Hunt, Jenneane Jansen, Cameron Kelly, Reid Lindquist, Mike Moline, Barry O'Neil and Larry Rocheford and to our 2020 Rising Stars: Bryan Feldhaus and Lauren Nuffort.

2020 Best Law Firms of the St. Croix Valley
St. Croix Valley Magazine is celebrating the best of the St. Croix Valley. Lommen Abdo was selected as one of the top three law firms in the St. Croix Valley area.

Board Elections
Marc Johannsen has been re-elected to a second two-year term as President of Lommen Abdo. Cameron Kelly has been elected to a two-year term on the board and Kathleen Loucks and Mike Glover were re-elected to serve a second two-year term on the board. Jason Engkjer, Bryan Feldhaus and Brent Johnson continue their two-year terms.

Cameron Kelly
Cameron Kelly has been elected secretary/treasurer of the St. Croix Economic Development Corporation. The St. Croix EDC and its members work to improve the business climate within St. Croix County, Wisconsin, by promoting economic development and investment. Cameron was elected to a three-year term on the board of the St. Croix EDC in June of 2019.

Bob Abdo - One of America's Most Honored Lawyers
The American Registry catalogs the accolades of attorneys around the country. These ratings and awards are given by trusted professional organizations, peers, judiciary, media and clients. There are those who simply get recognized more than all the others, and American Registry has announced that Bob Abdo is one of America’s Most Honored Lawyers for 2020. He is among the Top 1% of all those awarded.
Benjamin with his wife and baby girl
Sharing Joy
Benjamin DeMaris is shown with his wife, Meghan, and their daughter Sylvia. Benjamin and Meghan were married in November of 2018 and welcomed Sylvia in October of 2019. Benjamin has been Lommen Abdo's IT Help Desk Administrator since October of 2015.
Seminars
When CAN You Speak to a Represented Party?
Barry O’Neil and Michelle Kuhl presented a webinar on June 12, 2020 through the Hennepin County Bar Association’s Professionalism and Ethics Section on “When CAN You Speak to a Represented Party?”
Covering Legal Malpractice
Kay Hunt, Bryan Feldhaus, Barry O'Neil and Lauren Nuffort presented a lunch seminar on June 18, 2020 to Minnesota Lawyers Mutual Insurance, "Covering Legal Malpractice: Reserving Rights, Coverage Fights and Bad Faith Plights."
Why Women Want: An Analysis of Addiction in Females
Lauren Nuffort is a co-chair of the Minnesota Defense Lawyers Association (MDLA) Women in the Law Committee and co-hosted the 19th Annual MDLA Women Lawyers’ brunch on July 26, 2020, focusing on lawyer well-being. The presenter was Kristen Schmidt, MD, MAPH from Hazelden Better Ford, who shared her expertise on why women in particular face unique challenges that affect addiction screening, diagnosis, illness and barriers in seeking and getting treatment.
Does your company or trade organization need a virtual speaker?
Lommen Abdo's attorneys are available to speak to your company or association on topics involving a number of legal issues. We are happy to work with you on virtual presentations. Suggested topics include issues such as:

  • COVID-19 business related issues
  • Tips to improve your commercial collections
  • Help - What should I do if I think I'm a victim of identity Theft?
  • Bankruptcy preferences
  • Family law issues
  • Vaccine injuries
  • Shareholder disputes
  • Corporate compliance
  • Threats of piercing the corporate veil
  • Arbitration versus court proceedings
  • Trucking or transportation issues
  • Will contests and probate and trust disputes
  • Estate and business succession planning
  • And much, much more.

If you are interested in having a Lommen Abdo attorney speak to your company or at an association event, contact Margie Bodas at [email protected] / 612.336.9329.
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Let us know if you have questions, if we may be of assistance in any way or if you have suggestions for future newsletters. 
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