Conversations to Have with Your Aging Parents
Starting the Conversation So, you want to help your elderly parents set up an estate plan, but you feel unsure about how to start that conversation. You might not even have a clear idea of what to discuss. Below, you’ll find a list of the topics your parents may want to address ahead of time. […]
The Briefing Room: August 2025
Minnesota CLE’s Small and Solo Firm Conference: Innovation Meets Community in Duluth The Minnesota CLE Small and Solo Firm Conference in Duluth on August 4‒5 proved that even in our increasingly digital profession, the most powerful connections happen when legal minds gather in person. This year’s two-day event showcased a perfect blend of cutting-edge innovation […]
Minnesota Supreme Court Affirms Broad Protections for Journalists
The Minnesota Supreme Court recently issued an important decision that strengthens protections for journalists and reinforces the right to gather and report news in our state. In Energy Transfer LP v. Greenpeace International, 23 N.W.3d 554 (Minn. 2025), the Court confirmed that Minnesota’s Free Flow of Information Act (MFFIA) offers broad safeguards to reporters—even in […]
Buyer Beware: The Devastating Consequences of Fraudulent Non-Disclosure in a Minnesota Home Sale
In rural Minnesota, a young couple’s dream of homeownership turned into a nightmare. Our clients, the Buyers, purchased a home only to discover it was contaminated with methamphetamine. They believe the Sellers knew—and failed to disclose this critical fact. Their experience serves as a warning: fraudulent non-disclosure in real estate is both unethical and financially […]
Hellmuth & Johnson’s Kristine Spiegelberg Nelson provides Guidance for HOA Professional Relationship Transitions
Minnesota Community Living features Hellmuth & Johnson attorney Kristine Spiegelberg Nelson as a contributor discussing the challenging process of dissolving professional relationships within homeowners associations. The article addresses the complex task of transitioning away from HOA vendors, attorneys, and management companies. Nelson offers strategic guidance on navigating these challenging conversations with professionalism and diplomacy, emphasizing […]
What Every Buyer Needs to Know About Title Commitments Before Closing
If you’re in the process of buying real estate—whether a home, an investment property, or a commercial space—you already know there’s a lot to keep track of. One critical document that deserves your full attention during the due diligence phase is the title commitment. The title commitment is often issued shortly after you sign the […]
The Briefing Room: June 2025
Featured Post: Cultivating Legal Arguments: How Writing a Brief Is Like Planting a Seed As attorneys, we often think of legal writing as a technical, precise process—and it is. But sometimes, it helps to step back and see our work through a different lens. Imagine, for a moment, that writing a legal brief is like […]
Elder Financial Abuse: Lessons from My Father’s Story
The Financial Crimes Enforcement Network defines elder financial abuse (EFE) as “the illegal or improper use of an older adult’s funds, property or assets.” [1] According to AARP’s 2023 report, EFE causes Americans over 60 to lose an estimated $28.3 billion annually.[2] Perhaps most concerning is that 72% of this theft—$20.3 billion—comes from someone known […]
The Briefing Room: May 2025
Writing a Successful Brief in Support of a Summary Judgment There are many ways to write a successful summary judgment brief, but there are some common best practices you can utilize to help you. Here is a look at our process: I. Introduction This is your first impression. Do not start with the “Plaintiff moves […]
Will a Waiver Protect My Business from Lawsuits?
Why Minnesota Businesses Need to Reevaluate Their Liability Waivers After the Lund Decision If you own a gym, fitness studio, adventure park, or any business where physical risk is involved, you’ve probably asked: Will a liability waiver actually protect my business from a lawsuit? A new decision from the Minnesota Supreme Court—Lund v. Calhoun Orange, […]