Minnesota Monthly Recognizes Ten LGN Attorneys as Top Lawyers in MN

We’re proud to share that ten Lockridge Grindal Nauen attorneys have been named to Minnesota Monthly’s 2025 Top Lawyers list, recognized for their outstanding dedication to justice in the courtroom and in our communities.

Each year, Minnesota Monthly partners with Professional Research Services (PRS) to compile this prestigious list through a peer-nominated survey distributed to all attorneys across the state. Thousands of votes were cast, and inclusion reflects the respect and recognition of fellow legal professionals.

Please join us in congratulating LGN’s honored attorneys!

Antitrust Law

Karen Hanson Riebel

Environmental Law

David J. Zoll

Government Relations Practice

H. Theodore Grindal

Litigation – Antitrust

W. Joseph Bruckner

Brian D. Clark

Heidi M. Silton

Mass Tort Litigation / Class Action

Kate M. Baxter-Kauf

Joseph C. Bourne

Yvonne M. Flaherty

Securities Regulation

Richard A. Lockridge

Top Lawyers

Twelve LGN Attorneys Honored as Super Lawyers and Rising Stars 

Lockridge Grindal Nauen is proud to announce that twelve of the firm’s attorneys were selected as 2025 Minnesota Super Lawyers and Rising Stars honorees.

Kate Baxter-Kauf, Joe Bourne, Joe Bruckner, Brian Clark, Gregg Fishbein, Karen Hanson Riebel, Heidi Silton, and Dave Zoll have been named Super Lawyers. Super Lawyers recognizes the top 5% of outstanding lawyers in each state, who have attained a high degree of peer recognition and professional achievement, from more than 70 practice areas.

David Hahn, Rachel Kitze Collins, Arielle Wagner, and Derek Waller have been named Rising Stars. The Rising Stars recognition is given to the top 2.5% of up-and-coming attorneys in the state who are either 40 years or younger or have been practicing for 10 years or less.

The multi-phased selection process includes independent research, peer nominations, and peer evaluations to select the exclusive honorees. Congratulations to all the honorees!

LGN Hosts Next Generation Happy Hour

We recently hosted our third successful Next Generation Happy Hour. Organized by LGN associate attorneys, this ongoing event series brings together the next generation of lawyers, law clerks, law students, and legal professionals from across the Twin Cities for a relaxed, stress-free evening of networking and community building.

We’re proud to support the upcoming legal community and to help foster meaningful connections that will shape the future. Thank you to everyone who joined us. If you would like to join the Next Generation event mailing list, please send your name to marketing@locklaw.com.

LGN and ACLU Gain Victory in St. Francis Book Ban Lawsuit

We are pleased to announce that Lockridge Grindal Nauen, serving as pro bono counsel with the ACLU of Minnesota, secured a victory in the St. Francis book-ban case.

Back in March, ACLU-MN and LGN sued the St. Francis Area School District on behalf of families fighting an unconstitutional policy that barred librarians and educators from selecting books and instead relied solely on a far‑right website, “Book Looks,” to ban books rated “3” or higher.

That policy required the removal of at least 46 books, including The Kite Runner, The Bluest Eye, and The Handmaid’s Tale.

On June 10, 2025, the school district agreed to a settlement that:

  • Returned all banned books to libraries and classrooms
  • Scrapped the “Book Looks”based policy
  • Adopted the Minnesota School Boards Association’s model review policy
  • Made it a three-year commitment
  • Instituted transparency procedures before any future removals

This legal victory safeguards students’ rights to diverse literature and reinforces the principle that book bans cannot be based on politics or viewpoint. Read more here: https://www.aclu-mn.org/en/news/stfrancis-books

Book Ban Lawsuit

Chambers USA Recognizes LGN as a Leading Law Firm

We’re proud to share that Chambers USA has once again recognized Lockridge Grindal Nauen PLLP as a leading law firm in Minnesota for 2025.

Our firm earned a Band 2 ranking in Minnesota Antitrust, reflecting the strength of our practice and the results we deliver for clients.

Three LGN attorneys were also honored for their individual contributions:

Dick Lockridge – Senior Statesperson

Joe Bruckner – Band 1

Brian Clark – Band 3

Published annually by Chambers and Partners, this prestigious guide is known for its rigorous research and global credibility. We’re honored to be recognized alongside the best in the industry.


Chambers

LGN Walks in 2025 Twin Cities Pride Parade

LGN attorneys, staff, and family were excited to join with other local firms Sunday as part of the “Law Firms with Pride” group in the Twin Cities Pride Parade. We marched down Hennepin Avenue with thousands of enthusiastic attendees as a visible pledge to inclusion, equality, and human rights. Thank you to everyone who walked and came out to support and celebrate!

2025 LGN Summer Associate Program

We’re proud to welcome three outstanding law students to Lockridge Grindal Nauen as part of our 2025 Summer Associate Program.

Please join us in welcoming Grace Hinton, Michael Hurd, and Kj Kim to the firm! In just a few weeks, they’ve already demonstrated impressive skill and professionalism. Throughout the summer, they’ll continue to gain hands-on experience across our litigation practices, working closely with our attorneys and doing meaningful work to serve our clients.

Learn more about our Summer Associate Program and this year’s participants: https://www.locklaw.com/summer-associate-program/

LGN Summer Associates

LGN Attends ABA’s 2025 Antitrust Regional Reception in Boston

Lockridge Grindal Nauen Partner Steve Teti and Senior Counsel Kristie LaSalle recently attended the American Bar Association Antitrust Law Section’s inaugural regional reception in Boston. The event brought together leaders and practitioners in antitrust and consumer protection for discussion and meaningful connection. The keynote address was delivered by Anthony Mariano, Chief of the Massachusetts Attorney General’s Antitrust Division.

ABA Antitrust

Michael Kinane Presents as Guest Speaker During Street Law Class

LGN attorney Michael J. K. M. Kinane recently joined Judge Sean Quinn of the Minnesota Workers’ Compensation Court of Appeals to present at a Street Law class at St. Paul Central High School. The session was coordinated by the Twin Cities Diversity in Practice (TCDIP) and Wanton Injustice Legal Detail (WILD) programs.

Street Law is a course offered at Central and other schools that aims to increase the legal and civic knowledge of youth throughout the Twin Cities as well as to increase the youth’s confidence in their abilities to take part in legal and civic solutions. The curriculum is taught by schoolteachers or law students, depending on the school, and often features guest speakers from the legal community through partnerships like TCDIP.

Michael and Judge Quinn answered the students’ thoughtful questions and shared real-world insights. Michael’s commitment to community outreach and legal education reflects LGN’s dedication to mentoring the next generation of legal professionals.

Michael Kinane

LGN Celebrates Pride 2025

This June, Lockridge Grindal Nauen proudly celebrates Pride and honors the invaluable contributions of the LGBTQ+ community to our firm, our profession, and our country.

As advocates for equality and justice, we believe that standing with the LGBTQ+ community is not only about celebration, but also the continued commitment and work for equality for the LGBTQ+ community. This year, as LGBTQ+ rights face renewed challenges across the country, our voices and actions matter more than ever and remind us that Pride is a commemoration of the Stonewall riots and the movement that was there before and continues today.

LGN is proud to join fellow firms marching as “Law Firms with Pride” in the Twin Cities Pride Parade on June 29 as a visible reminder that the legal community stands for inclusion, dignity, and human rights.

Whether you’re marching, attending events, or reflecting on the history and future of the LGBTQ+ rights movement, we encourage everyone to take part.

Explore ways to get involved and view the full schedule of local Pride Month events here: https://tcpride.org/

LGN Pride 2025