Best Divorce Lawyers in Minneapolis
Kristine Jean Zajac
Divorce Lawyers
Areas Of Practice
- Family and Criminal Law
- Criminal Defense
- Sex Crimes
- Child Support
- Family Law
- Child Custody
- Domestic Assault
- Sexual Assault
- Theft
Bar Admissions
- Minnesota, 1998
- U.S. District Court District of Minnesota, 1998
Education
- William Mitchell College of Law, St Paul, Minnesota – 1998
- 1998
- Honors: cum laude
- Honors: Merit Based Scholarship, 1996 – (top 10% of class after first year)
- Honors: President, Hispanic Law Student Association (1996-1997)
- University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota
- Bachelor of Arts in Spanish – 1994
- Honors: G.P.A.: 3.63/4.0
- Honors: Major G.P.A.: 3.92/4.0
- Honors: Phi Beta Kappa
- Honors: Golden Key National Honor Society
- Honors: Italian American Scholarship
- Honors: International Orientation Leader
Professional Associations and Memberships
- Minnesota Hispanic Bar Association, Board Member, 2003 to 2005
- Sentencing Guidelines Commission Board, Appointed Citizen Member, 1999 to 2001
- Sentencing Guidelines Commission Board, Appointed Chair of Legislative Subcommittee, 1999 to 2001
- Member of the MACDL (Minnesota Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers)
- Source Code Coalition – fighting the software issue on the Intoxilyzer machine., Member
Randall A. Smith
Divorce Lawyers
Managing Attorney Randall A. Smith is the founder of Lake Harriet Law Office, LLC. Mr. Smith earned his B.A. in Political Science from Hamline University, his Juris Doctor from Drake University Law School, and his M.B.A. from the University of St. Thomas. His practice is limited exclusively to Divorce and Family Law cases in Minnesota. Mr. Smith is also licensed in United States Tax Court.
His 25 years of extensive practice experience includes Divorce cases involving Financial Matters such as the Division and Valuation of Assets (Real Estate, Brokerage Accounts, Retirement Accounts, Pensions, Partnerships, Intellectual Property, Businesses, Stocks and Collectibles), the Division and Valuation of Debts, Calculations involving the Tracing of Non-Marital Assets, Spousal Maintenance (Alimony) cases, Present Value Calculations, Regression Analysis, Depletion and Dissipation of Assets, Cash Flow Algorithms and Schedules, Marital Lifestyle Analysis, Prenuptial (Antenuptial) Agreements, Tax Issues and other Financial Matters related to Divorce and Family Law cases.
Mr. Smith also has extensive experience representing clients in Child Custody, Child Support and Parenting Time cases, as well as Family Law Appeals and Complex Divorce and Family Law Cases. He represents clients in contested matters, high conflict cases, and high net worth cases. In contested cases involving children, it is sometimes necessary to have a custody evaluation performed (typically by a therapist or social worker) to address the best interest factors. In some cases, parents work with a neutral child specialist, or other provider, to create a parenting plan in the best interests of the children.
RHIA BORNMANN SPEARS
Divorce Lawyers
Rhia Bornmann Spears is an experienced Family Law lawyer who practices in all areas of family law and in all Minnesota counties.
Her focus is on helping families with the difficult issues that arise with divorce, unwed parents, establishing custody, legal separation, parenting time, child custody matters, child support or any other family law matters that may arise. She is also frequently called on to take Order for Protection and Harassment Restraining Order matters related to domestic violence or harassment on short notice, then able to provide her client with a successful outcome.
Ms. Spears is a skilled negotiator as well as a strong advocate.
She is also trained in mediation; both Family Law Mediation and General Mediation. She is a registered Mediator in Minnesota and is listed on the Supreme Court Roster of Neutrals Rule 114.
Ms. Spears passionately believes in working with her clients to serve the best interests of the children involved. Oftentimes, the best gift she can give to the parties includes the tools to improve their long term relationships for the benefit of the children involved. Studies show parents fighting is what causes the children the long term stress, not the divorce itself.
Anna Tobia
Divorce Lawyers
Anna graduated from Winona State University with a degree in Law and Society. She then went on to pursue her degree in Paralegal Studies and began working as a litigation secretary. After working in the legal field for 2 years, she went on to pursue her law degree.
Anna obtained her law degree from Mitchell Hamline School of Law. During law school, Anna clerked as a certified student attorney for the Washington County Public Defender’s Office where she represented clients in bail hearings. After she left Washington County, Anna spent her final year of law school as a law clerk at the Dakota County Public Defender’s Office where she represented juveniles in delinquency matters and adults in pre-trial matters. Anna was also a certified student attorney for the Legal Assistance to Minnesota Prisoner’s clinic at Mitchell Hamline, representing incarcerated individuals in civil matters. Anna graduated from Mitchell Hamline School of Law in 2017.
Prior to joining Groshek Law, P.A. in 2018, Anna worked as a law clerk for the Honorable Steven R. Schwab, Freeborn County District Court Judge in Albert Lea. There, she worked in criminal, civil and family law, doing legal research and drafting orders.
XAVIER MARTINE
Divorce Lawyers
Attorney Xavier Martine grew up in Saint Paul. As a Minnesota native, he has always sought to help others. Xavier served in the United States Navy as a Nuclear Engineer. He then went on to law school at the Mitchell Hamline School of Law and graduated with honors magna cum laude. He participated in Law Review and two Moot Courts. In addition, he served as the President of the Mitchell Hamline Latino Law Student Association.
Xavier is licensed in the Minnesota District Courts and Federal Court. He is also a member of the:
- Minnesota State Bar Association
- Minnesota Hispanic Bar Association
- Ramsey County Bar Associations
Emily Cooper
Divorce Lawyers
In her 24 years of practice Emily has seen cases from all sides and represented a wide variety of client types. Her practice has included complex litigation issues, trials and evidentiary hearings, as well as alternative dispute resolution and settlement strategy. She brings this knowledge to her case work and focuses on family law and social security disability claims at Cooper Law. As the managing partner, Emily works hard to assure that all cases are handled professionally and with personal attention and care.
Emily is a 1996 honors graduate from the University of Minnesota Law School. In her early career she practiced civil litigation and family law while an associate at a major law firm in Ohio. She then spent five years working in the corporate world as in-house counsel for a multi-billion-dollar corporation, focusing on contract negotiations and drafting. While serving as the Executive Director of the Minnesota Volunteer Attorney Program she worked to encourage and recruit attorneys to volunteer to provide pro bono representation to low income clients. She also worked for three years as a staff attorney for a legal aid organization where she represented low income, abused and disabled individuals. In 2010, Emily was appointed to the Minnesota Supreme Court’s Committee for Equality and Justice.
Michael Fink
Divorce Lawyers
My focus is family law, and my approach is focused on helping clients navigate the complex and emotional experience of family law issues including divorce, determining parenting time, child custody and support, dividing property, and deciding alimony. My goal is always the best possible outcome given my client’s objectives. I also seek to minimize the negative emotional and economic impact of the divorce process on children within the family system. (Studies have shown that children in high conflict divorces do not do as well later in life, as the children in low conflict divorces.) While I am a fierce advocate for my clients, I never deliberately fan the flames of conflict and anger that may hinder the process of resolving the case or that eventually have a harmful effect on the children.
I guide my clients through every step of the divorce process, from filing the initial petition, preparing for and attending mediation, participating in settlement conferences, and if necessary, preparing and appearing for trial. While most of my cases settle out of court, I have the experience to manage your case through a full-blown divorce trial. My trial experience in divorce, includes the establishment of child custody and parenting time, child support, spousal maintenance/alimony, and the division of marital property. I have also litigated modification of child custody and parenting time for marital and non-marital children, modification of child support, enforcement of orders for spousal maintenance and child support, third party and grandparent custody and visitation, orders for protection, and harassment restraining orders.
Prior to becoming an attorney, I owned a small business, and I draw on that experience to negotiate fair and equitable property settlements, parenting plans, and even prenuptial agreements that help protect the rights and assets of soon to become newlyweds.
Jonathan J. Fogel
Divorce Lawyers
Jonathan J. Fogel has nearly 30 years of experience handling all types of family law matters, including divorces involving dividing marital estates, spousal maintenance, custody, and post decree matters. Jonathan is also a qualified neutral under the Rules of the Minnesota Supreme Court for ADR rosters and training and provides mediation services.
He founded his own law firm so that he could provide a “team” approach to Minnesota family law for his clients by offering a network of professionals that can assist with issues ranging from finances to counseling. Jonathan writes articles and provides lectures on issues related to family law. He has appeared on television and radio talk shows as a family law expert.
Areas of Practice
- Divorce
- Custody
- Child Support
- Spousal Maintenance
- Property Division
- Paternity
- Post-Decree
- Domestic Abuse (OFP)
Bar Admissions
- Minnesota
- U.S. District Court, District of Minnesota.
Education
- William Mitchell College of Law, St. Paul, Minnesota, J.D.
Cum Laude - University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin, B.A.
Political Science
Psychology
Education
Obtaining the services of the best divorce lawyer in Minneapolis or any other location can be beneficial for a variety of reasons. While not every divorce necessarily requires the most expensive or highly regarded attorney, there are several situations where having the best divorce lawyer can make a significant difference:
Complex Financial Situations: If your marital assets and financial situation are complex, involving businesses, investments, multiple properties, or significant debts, a skilled divorce attorney can help ensure that your financial interests are protected during the division of property and assets.
High-Conflict Divorces: In cases where the divorce is marked by high levels of conflict, animosity, or disputes over child custody, having an experienced lawyer can help manage the contentious issues and advocate on your behalf to achieve the best possible outcome.
Child Custody and Support: When children are involved, especially in cases where there are disagreements over custody arrangements, visitation rights, or child support, a top divorce lawyer can advocate for your parental rights and work towards a child-focused resolution.
Spousal Support (Alimony): If spousal support (alimony) is a potential issue in your divorce, a skilled attorney can help you navigate the legal requirements and negotiate fair terms.
Legal Expertise: A seasoned divorce lawyer is well-versed in Minnesota’s family law and the local court procedures in Minneapolis. They can provide you with accurate legal advice and help you understand your rights and responsibilities.
Mediation and Alternative Dispute Resolution: The best divorce lawyers are often skilled negotiators who can guide you through mediation or alternative dispute resolution processes to reach an amicable settlement, which can save time and money compared to a courtroom trial.
Protecting Your Interests: Your attorney can help ensure that your interests are protected throughout the divorce process, preventing you from making costly mistakes or agreeing to unfavorable terms.
Familiarity with Local Judges and Courts: Experienced divorce attorneys in Minneapolis may have established relationships with local judges and court personnel, which can be advantageous when navigating the legal system.
Paperwork and Documentation: Divorce involves a significant amount of paperwork and documentation. A proficient divorce lawyer can ensure that all necessary forms are filed correctly and on time, preventing delays or legal complications.
Peace of Mind: Having a skilled lawyer by your side can provide peace of mind during a stressful and emotional time. You can rely on their expertise to handle the legal aspects of your divorce while you focus on emotional healing and adjustment.
While hiring the best divorce lawyer in Minneapolis can offer numerous advantages, it’s essential to weigh the costs and benefits based on your unique circumstances. Not every divorce requires the most expensive attorney, and for some couples, mediation or a collaborative divorce process may be more appropriate. It’s crucial to choose legal representation that aligns with your specific needs and goals during the divorce process.