Why I Do This
October 25, 2011 | John T. BuchmanI recently resolved a couple of cases for very nice clients that reaffirmed why it is I’ve been representing injured people for the past 27 years. These included people injured in car crashes, from dangerous products, and injuries on construction sites primarily in Anoka County and the north metro but in other locations as well. Handling personal injury matters is tougher today than it was 15-20 years ago. Insurers are more stingy, confrontational and combative. My clients are frequently frustrated that cases end up in litigation more often, take longer and cost more to obtain a fair outcome. Yet, it’s the clients that I meet and their friends and family that provide satisfaction and make the effort worthwhile. I’ve had the pleasure of knowing several people who have persevered after brain injuries, serious burns and amputations. I’ve also met those that have suffered the more common neck and back injuries. I’m struck by how many of them still smile and go to work, take care of their families and responsibilities and do the best they can. More often than not when I first meet a client they tell me at the outset they are not in it for a huge settlement. They are reluctant to hire an attorney. They often decided to hire…
Read MoreNew Associates Join BGS
September 6, 2011 | Barna, Guzy & Steffen, Ltd.Barna, Guzy & Steffen LTD. announces the addition of two new associates to our firm. Joe M. Wearmouth and Sheldon M. Clark have joined the firm’s Business Litigation/Employment Law section. Joe has worked previously as an associate attorney at a large downtown Minneapolis-based law firm where he litigated complex civil cases and worked on sophisticated commercial and residential real estate transactions. He has also appeared in state and federal courts for trials and discovery and dispositive motion hearings. Joe is a 2009 graduate of Hamline University School of Law and graduated summa cum laude, ranking first in his graduating class. He was the recipient of the M. Arnold Lyons Award for Highest Academic Performance in the Graduating Class. Sheldon has most recently worked as a Judicial Law Clerk to the Honorable Tammi A. Fredrickson, Tenth Judicial District, in Anoka. He also has experience as a Civil Division Law Clerk for the Ramsey County Attorney’s Office. Sheldon graduated from William Mitchell College of Law, in 2008, magna cum laude. He was a Student Ambassador and a Professorial Research Assistant. “The addition of these new talented attorneys will benefit our existing clients and help expand our business opportunities,” said Joan Quade, Shareholder and Practice Group Manager of the Business Litigation/Employment Law section.
Read MoreAssisting Vets at MACV's StandDown 2011
August 3, 2011 | Jon P. EricksonMinnesota Assistance Council for Veterans, MACV, held its annual metro assistance days, “StandDown”, on 8/2 and 8/3 at the newly renovated “Boy Scout Base Camp” which is a remodeled facility at Fort Snelling. It’s an air conditioned large space with access to the Fort Snelling LRT station and bus lines. The service providers included many veteran services people, public benefit representatives from metro governmental agencies, housing and shelter agencies, employment assistance, medical services, legal services and miscellaneous providers, even free hair cuts. All of the various organizations had booths/work spaces and representatives to assist the Vets. I volunteered my legal services as a criminal defense attorney and a member of Mn Association of Criminal Defense Attorneys to help Vets solve miscellaneous legal problems. There were prosecuting attorneys present from Ramsey and Hennepin Counties, and other criminal defense attorneys. The screeners brought Vets, most of whom were disabled at some level, to the legal people who then worked to see if their criminal matters could get resolved. It was in some sense an amnesty program for those Vets who took the time to come in and get help to work out their legal problem. One of the Vets I worked with had two old traffic matters unresolved. One involved a no insurance fine, and…
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