Method
How we check attorneys
Every fact shows its source, the date it was checked, and who checked it. Here is what that means in this edition, including what we could not do.
Draft for human review. The checks in this edition were run by an AI research tool. No person has reviewed them yet. We did not interview anyone or visit any office.
Two official lookups, reported separately
Registration. The Minnesota attorney registration search asks for a reCAPTCHA check before showing results. We do not get around checks like that, so this record shows as “not checked” on every entry. Please look it up yourself.
Public discipline. The Office of Lawyers Professional Responsibility lawyer search did return results. For each attorney we copied what the row says under “Public decision issued?”, and we report “Authorized to practice in MN?” from that same row in its own line, labeled as coming from this search and not from the registration system.
We matched names by first name, last name and city. Search results have no permanent link, so the source goes to the search page and we list the Lawyer ID so you can repeat the lookup.
What those lookups do not prove
A clean public record does not show exceptional skill. A pending matter is not a final finding. OLPR says private discipline, dismissed complaints and pending complaints are not available to the public, except as authorized. Neither search tells you whether a lawyer is right for you.
Firm statements
What a firm says about itself is labeled as the firm's statement, with a link to the page we read and the date. We quote where we can. “Not found on the pages we read” means only that. It does not mean the firm lacks the policy.
Our assessment
An assessment must say who an attorney may suit, why, the limitations, and the evidence behind it. No entry has one today, because reading a firm's website is not enough evidence. We do not rank anyone or name a “best” lawyer.
How attorneys came to be listed
We looked for Twin Cities attorneys whose own firm pages describe estate planning as a main part of their practice and whose name and city matched an OLPR row. This edition is a small sample, not a survey of the field. Being listed is not a recommendation, and nobody paid to appear. Corrections are free and welcome.
What our labels mean
- Official record checked
We looked this up in a public Minnesota lawyer record on the date shown. Authorization to practice and public discipline are separate checks.
- Confirmed by firm
The attorney or firm told us directly. We did not confirm it another way.
- Published by firm
It appears on the firm's own materials. That shows what the firm says, not that it is proven.
- Not independently verified
We could not confirm this. Ask about it directly.