– Legal Insights –
This article is the second in a series about changes in the MCIOA. In this series of articles, we are analyzing the different provisions of SF 1750, which made numerous changes to the Minnesota Common Interest Ownership Act (“MCIOA”). With the exception of a few changes in definitions, which were...
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In what area of law do you practice and why did you choose this? I am a litigator at heart, and take on many different types of cases. I love learning about new areas of the law, and for me, the skills translate across many different fields. What did you...
They say, “Good fences make good neighbors,” but I would posit that good neighbors make good fences. Many associations share fences, pools, driveways and sometimes even buildings. While many shared amenities are subject to easement agreements or covenants that describe what each association’s rights and responsibilities are, those agreements –...
Many homeowners associations restrict or prohibit pets. This may make the property attractive to buyers who have allergies, a fear of dogs, or who simply do not want to live in that type of environment with pets. But when is a “pet-free” property not pet free? The answer, of course,...
If you are like most businesses (and most attorneys), you probably think serving a lawsuit is a pretty straight-forward affair. Sure, there are the hilarious stories of Slick Mike serving E-Vil, Inc.’s recalcitrant CEO at the breakfast table by gaining admission to the CEO’s palatial estate posing as his daughter’s...
In what area of law do you practice and why did you choose this? I practice in the homeowners association group. To be honest, I kind of fell into the area. Getting my first job as a lawyer was conditioned on my employer landing a national builder. After that builder...
Hellmuth & Johnson attorney Michelle Kniess shared her knowledge of spousal maintenance and alimony in Minnesota and Wisconsin on the podcast Doing Divorce Different, hosted by Lesa Koski. Spousal maintenance is an important issue in many divorces, whether spouses are working together through the mediation process or needing an attorney...
In what area of law do you practice and why did you choose this? I originally chose litigation, because I’ve always been in awe of the skills needed to be successful in this area. As I experienced more, I realized working towards and reaching a resolution of disputes to be...
Ever since I worked on my first case as a law clerk, as I waited nervously for the California bar exam results,[1] clients have had the same reaction to being sued: “This is outrageous—can I sue them for wrongfully suing me?” My short answer is usually “no”; followed by a...
In what area of law do you practice and why did you choose this? My area of practice is litigation focused on property issues including first party insurance claims, coverage analysis, construction disputes, construction defects and mechanics liens. Additionally, I have a special emphasis on cannabis issues. I chose this...
In the business world, businesses are used to and prepared for disputes being he-said-she-said affairs. But in a negligence lawsuit, what do you do when the other side is able to remove the your-said part of the story? Well, that is precisely what happens when the opposing party obtains total...