KELLY & LEMMONS, P.A.

Legal Insight

Practical Counsel

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About Us

Since our firm was established in 1974, we have striven to provide diligent and professional legal representation to every client that has walked through our doors. We represent a diverse clientele in a broad range of legal areas throughout Minnesota, and have built a successful practice on a commitment to providing proactive and creative solutions to a client’s legal problems, as evidenced by our many long-term and repeat clients. We recognize that practical considerations can go beyond strict legal issues and counsel our clients accordingly.

Kelly & Lemmons has been dedicated to representing Minnesota local government units and has developed a strong municipal practice representing cities and townships throughout the seven-county metropolitan area and beyond. Our municipal experience complements a strong practice in real property where our attorneys have experienced nearly all types of litigation and transactional issues related to real estate matters. We have also garnered an excellent reputation as advocates for the rights of workers throughout Minnesota on behalf of public and private labor unions and employee organizations as well as individual employees.

We handle a wide array of legal issues but never lose focus of our client’s needs and objectives. Our lawyers have established a reputation for providing proactive legal solutions and obtaining creative solutions that meet our clients’ individual goals. Our mission at Kelly & Lemmons is to never compromise ethics, professionalism, or integrity; to treat every client like they are our only client; and to proactively and creatively strive to reach our client’s goals.

Practice Areas

Labor & Employment

Kelly & Lemmons represents labor unions in grievance arbitrations, unfair labor practices, unit clarifications, representation elections, and rights and obligations in collective bargaining. We also advise employers and employees on employment law issues, from harassment and discrimination, to statutory leave, and wage and hour claims. We have particular experience with the rights and responsibilities unique to Minnesota public sector employment. We frequently represent veterans facing removal under Minn. Stat. § 197.46 and have represented veterans in hiring and promotional decisions under § 197.455. Kelly & Lemmons has been recognized as a Patriotic Employer by the Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (“ESGR”).

Estate Planning

We help clients develop detailed estate plans that work for them and their families. An estate plan often consists of more than just a will or a trust, such as a power of attorney, healthcare directive, or appointment of a guardian for minor children. We take an active role when planning a client’s estate, working to obtain a cost-effective solution that meets the client’s needs and the needs of their heirs.

Personal Injury

We help injured individuals deal with the repercussions of a serious injury. Whether you are injured in a car accident, truck accident, motorcycle accident, bicycle or pedestrian accident, or suffer a dog bite, we can help you pursue compensation to cover medical expenses, lost wages, and other financial damages.

Municipal/Prosecution

Kelly & Lemmons represents municipalities as both civil attorney and prosecutor. We understand that in order to effectively govern a local government unit, comprehensive legal and practical advice is needed to provide foresight and ensure that obstacles are effectively navigated. To that end, we have advised municipalities on land use and zoning, drafting/revising ordinances, assessment appeals, and eminent domain, to name a few. We also prosecute misdemeanor and gross misdemeanor crimes on behalf of several municipalities in Ramsey and Washington Counties. We have a firm-wide dedication to law enforcement, from prosecuting crimes, to representing law enforcement unions and individual law enforcement officers.

Real Property & Land Use

We handle a wide range of real estate matters. We have advised commercial developers and municipal entities in land development; zoning, rezoning, land use, and permits; condemnation and eminent domain; commercial and industrial development; single-family homes; multi-family housing development; senior housing; and condo conversions. We frequently represent clients in quiet title disputes, boundary disputes, and mechanics’ liens. We have helped landlords and property managers draft lease agreements, obtain unlawful detainers, and with lease agreement cancellation.

Rebecca L. Duren,
Shareholder

Martin H. R. Norder,
Shareholder

Martin H.R. Norder,
Shareholder

Martin is a shareholder with the firm. He is a graduate of the University of Saint Thomas and the University of Saint Thomas School of Law. Prior to joining Kelly and Lemmons, Martin served as a judicial clerk for two Ramsey County District Court judges: the Honorable Michael T. DeCourcy and the Honorable Lezlie Ott Marek.

Martin practices mainly in the prosecution of misdemeanor and gross misdemeanor crimes in Ramsey and Washington Counties. He oversees prosecution from charging and discovery through motions and trial. Martin has also successfully argued numerous criminal cases at the Minnesota Court of Appeals. In addition to prosecution, Martin practices in the areas of estate planning, municipal law, and labor/employment.

Areas of Practice

  • Prosecution
  • Labor & Employment
  • Municipal
  • Estate Planning

Bar Admissions

  • State of Minnesota
  • United States District Court, District of Minnesota

Education

  • University of St. Thomas School of Law, Minneapolis, Minnesota
    • J.D. – 2008
  • University of St. Thomas, Saint Paul, Minnesota
    • B.A. – 2004

Rebecca L. Duren,
Shareholder

Rebecca’s practice spans labor and employment, municipal, and criminal law. She advises labor unions on collective-bargaining rights and obligations and represents labor unions in grievance arbitrations. Rebecca also has experience representing veterans to enforce their rights under the Minnesota Veterans Preference. She has successfully represented clients charged with all types and levels of criminal activity and she has obtained numerous acquittals of her clients including first degree premeditated murder charges.

Rebecca has been recognized as a Super Lawyers Rising Star each year since 2019 and was named an Up & Coming Attorney by Minnesota Lawyer Magazine in 2016. Most notably, she was certified as a criminal law specialist by the Minnesota State Bar Association. Less than 3% of Minnesota lawyers are certified specialists in their field.

Rebecca is a shareholder with the law firm of Kelly & Lemmons, P.A. She received her bachelor’s degree from St. Olaf College and her law degree from William Mitchell College of law in St. Paul, Minnesota.

Areas of Practice

  • Criminal
  • Labor & Employment
  • General Litigation

Bar Admissions

  • State of Minnesota
  • United States District Court, District of Minnesota

Education

  • Mitchell Hamline College of Law, Saint Paul, Minnesota
  • St. Olaf College, Northfield, Minnesota

Honors & Awards

  • Super Lawyers, Rising Star, 2019-2023

Chad D. Lemmons,
Shareholder

Patrick McGuigan,
Senior Attorney

Chad D. Lemmons,
Shareholder

Chad is a shareholder with Kelly & Lemmons. Chad graduated from the University of Minnesota and Mitchell Hamline College of Law. Since 2000, Chad has been recognized by the Minnesota State Bar Association as a Certified Real Property Specialist. He has over 35 years’ experience practicing primarily in the areas of property and real estate law. Chad represents individuals and organizations in landlord-tenant law, residential and commercial transactions, complex property matters, contract disputes, and liens. Chad currently serves on the Title Standards Committee of the Minnesota State Bar Association.

Areas of Practice

  • Property and Real Estate
  • Landlord-Tenant
  • Residential and Commercial Development
  • Land Use/Zoning
  • Municipal

Bar Admissions

  • Minnesota
  • United States District Court, District of Minnesota

Education

  • Mitchell Hamline College of Law, Saint Paul, Minnesota
    • J.D. – 1980
  • University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota
    • B.S.B. – 1976

Honors & Awards

  • Certified Real Property Law Specialist, Minnesota State Bar Association
  • Super Lawyers, 2014-2021

Professional Associations & Memberships

  • Minnesota State Bar Association
  • MSBA, Title Standards Committee
  • Ramsey County Bar Association

Patrick McGuigan,
Senior Attorney

Patrick J. McGuigan is a senior attorney with Kelly & Lemmons. He has practiced law in St. Paul for over 40 years and has achieved an AV rating from Martindale-Hubbell, the highest rating possible for both legal abilities and ethical standards. Pat received his juris doctor degree from Mitchell Hamline School of Law, where he was a member of the Silver Gavel Honor Society, and a bachelor’s degree from the College of St. Thomas. Pat served six years as Chairman of the Second Judicial Ethics Committee and as Co-Convener of the Ramsey County Probate and Trust Section. Pat was appointed by the Minnesota Supreme Court to serve as a panel chair on the Minnesota State Board of Professional Responsibility from 2001 through 2007.

In addition to an emphasis in probate and estate administration and estate planning, Pat is an experienced transactional attorney with substantial experience in commercial loan documentation, foreclosures, real estate, general business and corporate law.

Areas of Practice

  • Wills, Trusts, and Estate Planning
  • Probate and Trust Administration
  • Commercial Loan Documentation
  • Mortgage Foreclosures
  • Closely Held Corporations

Bar Admissions

  • State of Minnesota
  • United States District Court, District of Minnesota

Education

  • Mitchell Hamline University School of Law, Saint Paul, Minnesota
    • J.D. – 1976
  • College of St. Thomas, Saint Paul, Minnesota
    • B.A. – 1974

Honors & Awards

  • Super Lawyers, Minnesota 2015-2016
  • AV Rating, Martindale-Hubbell Legal Directory

Professional Associations & Memberships

  • Minnesota State Bar Association
  • MSBA, Probate and Trust Section
  • Ramsey County Bar Association

Michael Johnson,
Attorney

Patrick J. Kelly,
Retired

Michael Johnson,
Attorney

Michael received his bachelor’s degree from the University of St. Thomas in St. Paul and his juris doctorate degree from William Mitchell College of Law in 2013. During law school, Michael interned with a lobbyist group in St. Paul, working closely with several specialized industry groups and legislative representatives on bills as they worked their way through the legislative process.  After obtaining his law degree, Michael worked at a local mid-sized law form as a municipal prosecutor for several municipalities in Hennepin County and also practiced in the areas of criminal defense and general civil litigation. From 2017 through the end of 2022, Michael worked at a small personal injury firm where his focus was primarily on those who had been injured in auto accidents.  There, Michael participated in hundreds of arbitration proceedings, mediations, court hearings, and other claim related matters.  Michael joined Kelly & Lemmons, P.A. in February, 2023.  Michael’s primary practice is in the prosecution of misdemeanor and gross misdemeanor crimes in Ramsey, Washington, and Dakota Counties.  In addition to prosecution, Michael still maintains an active personal injury practice helping pursue claims on behalf of those who have been injured.

Areas of Practice

  • Prosecution & Criminal Defense
  • Personal Injury

Bar Admissions

  • State of Minnesota
  • United States District Court, District of Minnesota

Education

  • Mitchell Hamline
    • J.D.
  • University of St. Thomas
    • B.A.

Patrick J. Kelly,
Retired

Patrick J. Kelly is nationally recognized for his knowledge, innovation, and creativity in all facets of government law, employment and labor law, real estate law, and litigation. The cities and corporations he represented are known for their progressiveness in areas of land use, public safety, and major development projects. He was sought after nationally by cities and developers in complex eminent domain and land use regulation cases that demanded aggressive action and multidimensional approaches. His past representation in difficult labor issues placed him in high demand for fair and equitable results. Mr. Kelly was president of the MSBA and the RCBA, and was Chair of the Second Judicial Ethics Committee.

Contact Us

Kelly & Lemmons, P.A.
2350 Wycliff Street
Suite 200
Saint Paul, MN 55114
Fax: 651-223-8019
Phone: 651-224-3781