We are here for you.
The COVID-19 emails are endless. But I received one a day or so ago that offered a good perspective:
In early British World War II when the public was bracing for widely predicted mass air attacks on major cities across the country, the British government created and posted everywhere the now famous and often mimicked phrase “Keep Calm and Carry On.” The Brits had it right, of course. The key things needed during that time was for people to stay busy, continue the everyday work that kept the economy moving and not grow weary and become apathetic or demoralized.
Once you strip away the rush on toilet paper, rescheduling of meetings, the panic of potential budget cuts and the hard to even imagine potential loss of loved ones, the cold hard facts are that in addition to taking the recommended precautions, we all need to carry on.
The above piece was written by Craig Brown of Law Vision as part of a longer article.
How we “Keep Calm and Carry On” has become part of the work of the day during this viral crisis. Technology has allowed us to work remotely for years when we were not in our offices. But now we are putting that technology to daily use and on a much broader scale. Not only do we have our offices on our laptops, tablets and cell phones at home now, but we have video conferencing, Zoom, Skype, FaceTime and so many more ways to connect face-to-face, if not person-to-person. All but a few key essential staff members are able to work remotely at this time and we are working to cut down the time they spend in the office. These options allow us to stay in touch with each other as a firm, you as our clients, other counsel, other trusted advisors and the courts. Lommen Abdo is taking advantage of technology to be a virtual law firm that continues to be able to meet all of your needs.
Margie Bodas, V.P. of Practice Management
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Employment Law Changes:
Safer at Home
Wisconsin:
Governor Tony Evers issued the Safer at Home Order which took effect on March 25th and remains in effect until April 24th, or until a superseding order is issued. The Order directs that all non-essential for-profit and non-profit businesses close except for Minimum Basic Operations and operations exclusively consisting of working from home. Additionally, all non-essential travel in Wisconsin is stopped effective immediately, subject to certain exceptions.
Minnesota:
Governor Tim Walz issued his 20th Executive Order this year on March 25th. This order places unprecedented restrictions on travel, school, work, recreation, and business upon Minnesota’s citizens. For the most part, the restrictions remain until Friday, April 10th. Many commentators suggest the restrictions will last, in some form, even longer. The order also continues the earlier mandatory closures of many businesses and almost all schools in the state.
Federal:
The Department of Labor issued its first round of guidance with a fact sheet explaining the changes for paid sick leave and expanded family and medical leave as required by the Families First Coronavirus Response Act effective April 1st.
The DOL also posted a number of additional questions and answers regarding application of the paid leave laws in the Families First Coronavirus Response Act.
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In Trying Times, Don't Overlook This Threat to Your Real Estate Investment
If recent volatility in the stock market has you taking a closer look at your real estate portfolio, you’re not alone. Uncertainty in global equities, elections, oil and hand sanitizer are having a sweeping impact and, if you’re like us, you want to grow what’s working and do less of what’s not. With so many concerns sweeping the market, it’s possible you could overlook the impact that property taxes, and—more specifically—property tax assessment, threatens to have on your wealth. Read the article by Matt Hartranft.
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Estate Planning From Home
Over the past several weeks I have had many people contact me regarding their estate planning. Some are existing clients anxious to wrap up the process. Some are new clients asking how they can prepare their estate plan. The stress and anxiety caused by the coronavirus, increased time alone and the news cycle have caused people to view their planning differently. Read the article by Cameron Kelly.
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Contracts and Covid-19
In the current COVID-19 pandemic, our society is preparing not only for the boredom that accompanies Stay at Home, Shelter in Place and other pseudo-quarantines of indeterminate length, but also for the business ramifications which follow. While many contracting parties have thus far shown remarkable flexibility, inevitably disagreements will occur. Before they do, parties should dust off their contracts and evaluate their rights, especially as they relate to the legal concepts of force majeure, impracticability/impossibility of performance, and frustration of purpose. Read the article by Creig Andreasen.
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The Tigers Are Out There & They're Hunting Your Business!
Tigers eat better in loud jungles, it’s easier for them to sneak up on you! Today our financial and legal jungle is noisy. It’s filled with a cacophony of information & stress. Here are three things you can do to stay safe. Read the article by Matt Hartranft.
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Family Law During the Time of COVID-19
I am sure you have heard the joke at this point that all of this social distancing at home with your family and loved ones will lead to both a baby boom in nine months, as well as a boom in divorces. As a family law attorney, I am not quite so cynical. I believe that the increased amount of time at home and time together with loved ones will give everyone more time to reflect on what is truly important and to evaluate areas of their lives that could use improvement. Read the article by Josh Feneis.
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Younger Doctrine Used to Dismiss Federal Court Claims
Recently, in
Berg v. Berg, et al
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, a dissatisfied party to a state court marital dissolution brought claims in federal court not only against his spouse, but also against the receiver and the Special Master who had ruled against him. Lommen Abdo successfully defended the Special Master and obtained dismissal of the federal court action based on Younger abstention. Read the article by Michelle Kuhl.
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Lommen Abdo Adds to Litigation Practice in Both Minnesota and Hudson
Larry Rocheford and Brent Tunis have brought their litigation practices to Lommen Abdo, bringing new perspectives and increasing the firm’s depth of talent. Larry Rocheford adds more litigation power to the firm’s trial team and has successfully defended catastrophic injury and major cases, including products, mass shootings, construction, negligence, dram shop, motor vehicle and premises liability cases from start to trial. He offices in our Minneapolis office. Brent Tunis concentrates his practice on insurance defense, personal injury, corporate litigation and appellate practice in Wisconsin, Minnesota and Iowa and offices in our Hudson, Wisconsin, office.
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Phil Cole Has Retired From Practicing Law
After more than 50 years practicing law, Phil Cole retired in early January 2020. Phil was the visionary leader of Lommen Abdo, teaching everyone how to be the best law professional—with no shortcuts. Decades ago, he also taught us to embrace technology; something we are extremely grateful for today as we operate virtually during the COVID-19 pandemic. He won more honors and awards for his litigation expertise over the years than we have room to print here. Lommen Abdo is greatly appreciative of all that Phil put into this firm over the past 50 years and for the loyal friend he has been to all of us. We at Lommen Abdo miss his presence daily, but the lessons he taught us and the policies he put into place will keep him close always. We wish Phil the very best in his retirement adventure!
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Jamie Johnson Celebrates Serving Hudson for 30 Years
This month, Jamie Johnson is celebrating practicing law in Hudson for 30 years. He is an attorney with Lommen Abdo, PA, a firm that provides a wide range of legal services, including litigation, business, estate planning and family law. During his time as a litigator and mediator, he’s always tried to treat his clients like family members.
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Stacey DeKalb Quoted in Star Tribune Article
Stacey DeKalb was quoted in a Star Tribune article on navagating the potentially troubled waters of office romance, discussing the drafting of a 'love contract' -- where parties confirm the consensual nature of the relationship and agree to inform a designated person of any changes.
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Larry Rocheford Reappointed to Supreme Court Committee
Larry Rocheford has been reappointed to another three-year term by the Minnesota Supreme Court to the Rules of Evidence Advisory Committee. Larry has previously been a Supreme Court appointee to the Minnesota Rules of Civil Procedure Committee and previously served two terms as Minnesota Supreme Court Appointee to the Minnesota Board of Legal Certification Committee.
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Bob Abdo Wins International Advisory Experts Award
Bob Abdo has won a 2020 International Advisory Experts award for his corporate practice in Minnesota. International Advisory Experts is a global network of well-established and experienced legal, financial, tax and consulting firms and each year they pay tribute to attorneys that have been successful and received exceptional praise from their peers.
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Toys for Tots
We packed up the toys on December 12th for our 14th annual Toys for Tots campaign. Lommen Abdo employees collected over $2,000 and dozens of toys through many different fundraising activities at the firm this year. Lommen Abdo is proud to participate in the Marine's annual Toys for Tots campaign.
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Sharing Joy
Josh Feneis and his new wife Emilee were married on October 26th at Prairie Lutheran Church in Eden Prairie. Their reception was held at the Lafayette Club on Lake Minnetonka.
Josh is an attorney in our litigation and family law department and has been with Lommen Abdo since 2018.
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On their honeymoon they traveled to Rome, the Amalfi Coast, and Florence. They are shown below at the Cinque Terre seaside villages on the Italian Riviera coastline.
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Estate Planning for Peace of Mind
Cameron Kelly presented as a part of the Friday Memorial Library series on "Estate Planning for Peace of Mind" in New Richmond, Wisconsin, on March 5, 2020.
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How to Protect Your Trial Record for Appeal
Kay Nord Hunt presented a panel on November 19, 2019 at the 2019 Advanced Family Law Series by Minnesota CLE, "How to Protect Your Trial Record for Appeal."
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Financial Legal & Insurance Planning for Caregivers
Cameron Kelly presented at Caring for Dementia: A Six-Week Education Series for Caregivers at The Lodge at the Lakes in Stillwater and offered by Bluestone Physician Services. Cameron presented "Financial Legal & Insurance Planning for Caregivers" on November 12, 2019.
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Does your company or trade organization need a virtual speaker?
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Lommen Abdo's attorneys are available to speak to your company or trade association on topics involving a number of legal issues. Suggested topics include issues such as:
- COVID-19 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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PRACTICE AREAS
Antenuptial Agreements
Appeals
Auto/Truck/Boat Accidents
Bankruptcy Litigation
Business Law
Business Succession Planning
Child-Related Family Law Issues
Closely Held Commercial Litigation
Compliance
Construction Litigation
Corporate Governance
Creditors' Remedies
Divorce
Emerging Growth & Venture Capital
Employment Law
Entity Structures and Business Planning
Estate Planning
Family Businesses
Family Law
Family Law Appeals
Financing & Securities
Food & Beverage Law
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Independent Contractors
Intellectual Property Litigation
Insurance Coverage and Subrogation
Medical Malpractice
Mergers & Acquisitions
Personal Injuries
Post-Dissolution Proceedings
Probate & Administration
Products Liability
Professional Liability
Real Estate & Land Use
Real Estate & Title Litigation
Regulatory Matters in Transportation
Shareholder/Owner Disputes
Tax Law
Trade Secrets
Transportation Business Transactions
Transportation Litigation and Appeals
Vaccine Injuries
Warehousing/Fulfillment/Logistics Concerns
Will Contests/Probate Litigation/Trust Litigation
Wrongful Death
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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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