Preparing Students for Jobs
April 20, 2018 | Barna, Guzy & Steffen, Ltd.As she has for many years, BGS Attorney Carole Clark Isakson recently spent a morning at Osseo Senior High School conducting mock interviews with students. This year nearly FIVE HUNDRED students will participate in mock interviews, which are well designed to give each student a taste of what a real job interview is like. “It is an activity I really enjoy”, said Isakson, “and I know it has tremendous value for the students, many of whom have never interviewed for a job.” Students are randomly assigned to one of the many interviewers, and are evaluated on everything from their responses to questions, to their posture. The interviewers are provided a range of questions that employers may ask, including those general “tell me about yourself” and “what has been your biggest challenge” questions that can temporarily stump even the most practiced adult. Working with students on how to answer those questions in a way that tells a potential employer something good about the student is one of the jobs of the interviewer, but not the only job! Resumes are reviewed and edited, and questions are answered. And while an interviewer works on content, he or she also works with the students on appearance and posture. Most students are aware that eye contact is…
Read MoreCan My Spouse Use Recorded Conversations and Messages in Court?
April 12, 2018 | Elizabeth A. SchadingWhen you are going through a divorce from your spouse, it can be a long and drawn out process, as well as distressing for everyone involved. Unfortunately, some marriages can break down and turn nasty in proceedings, especially if there has been infidelity or disagreement over assets. This means that the other spouse may turn to different forms of evidence to prove their point and things can get heated. One of the common questions that arises in divorce proceedings is whether recorded conversations and messages can be used in court against the other person. In the modern and digital age, we leave an electronic trail where everything we say is collected and cannot easily disappear. This means that spouses want to use social media posts, text messages and audio clips against the other party in a divorce as evidence. So, the question is; is my spouse allowed to use these recorded media and messages against me? Under federal law, wiretapping is illegal. This is when you secretly monitor someone’s phone call and eavesdrop on their conversation. The people that are involved in the phone call are not aware you are listening and that is what makes it illegal. Of course, forms of hacking into your phone or social media accounts to reveal…
Read MoreBGS Holds Annual Meeting as it Celebrates 80 Years of Legal Service
March 29, 2018 | Barna, Guzy & Steffen, Ltd.A Tradition of Service Since 1938: Barna, Guzy & Steffen Ltd. Celebrates 80 Years of Legal Service Barna, Guzy and Steffen, Ltd (BGS) is a full service law firm providing clients with the personal and professional services they deserve since 1938. The firm was founded by the late Honorable Joseph E. Wargo. Wargo graduated from University of Minnesota Law School in 1938 and he opened his law office in Columbia Heights, where he was raised. Wargo left his office and took a tour of duty with the Navy for World War II. He was later joined by Peter Barna (1953) and Robert Guzy (1958). They moved their combined practice into a remodeled grocery store building in Columbia Heights where they practiced for many years. They merged with Merrill, Hynes and Giancola for a time becoming Barna, Guzy, Merrill, Hynes and Giancola after Wargo left to become a district judge. The firm moved to Coon Rapids in 1991 after a merger with Anoka firm Steffen Munstentieger. Coon Rapids was chosen as a central location between Anoka and Columbia Heights, with the benefit of being close to major highways and the courthouse in Anoka. Over the years, the firm has had mergers, moved, and grown into what is now a 30-attorney law firm serving a…
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