I greatly enjoyed my seven years as a full-time public defender, first in the small town of Black River Falls, Wisconsin, and later in Stillwater, Minnesota. In that time, I handled all types of criminal cases. In Wisconsin, I won aquittals in my last four trials, including a very serious sexual assault case that was prosecuted five years after the alleged assault. I also assisted other lawyers in several homicide cases. In 1995, I moved back to the Twin Cities, where I grew up. Whle there, I focused on the defense of serious felony cases. I tried over 20 felony jury trials during that period.

During my time as a public defender, I also successfully argued scores of suppression motions, including cases involving illegal search and seizures, Miranda violiations, involuntary statements, improper interrogations, lack of competency, and mental illness defense. I gained numerous acquittals, including cases involving allegations of attempted homicide, numerous sexual assaults, controlled substances, burglary, theft, and DUI.

Also during that time I defended one of Minnesota's most infamous alleged serial killers. In this case, alleged to have occured in 1979, I successfully persuaded the judge to supress evidence indicating my client had committed five additional homicides and ten sexual assaults. The case was one of the most complex murder cases in state history.

While I enjoyed working as a public defender, I grew frustrated by having so many cases. I simply could not provide the quality representation I desired. Thus, four years ago, I went into private practice, focusing on quality service and letting the rest take care of itself. In my four years of private practice, I have greatly enjoyed being able to develop deeper relationships with clients and being able to more fully develop and defend their cases.

While in private practice, I have continued to successfully litigate and defend all types of cases. I have now tried over 50 jury trials. I recently obtained my first acquittal in a homicide case. My practice has expanded to defending cases in Federal Court where I have handled cases involving white collar crime, bank robbery, and controlled substances. I also help teach other attorneys by speaking at Continuing Legal Education courses such as the Criminal Justice Institute, 2004, attended by members of law enforcement, defense attorneys, prosecutors and judges.