Barna, Guzy & Steffen, Ltd

Bios

• Katherine J. Bogart

  Associate Attorney

  Katherine is an associate in our firm’s Litigation/Business & Employment Law department. She joined BGS as a law clerk in 2023 while completing her JD at University of St. Thomas School of Law and became an attorney upon passing the bar in 2024. Her experience includes research, memos, and drafting in litigation and employment law as well as intellectual property, family law, and real estate. In 2024, Katherine competed in Saul Lefkowitz Moot Court Competition and won Best Oralist and Second Best Overall. Prior to joining BGS Katherine worked in the non-profit field and developed resources and tools at United Way Worldwide, National Coalition of Human Rights Defenders-Kenya and others to increase engagement and capacity. She has also worked with Community Justice Project Clinic. Her experience working in and giving back to the community has helped shape her unique ability to communicate with clients today and her sense of justice

• Jason C. Brown

  Jason has represented a wide variety of family law clients over the last 20 years, including teachers, homemakers, union construction workers, doctors, truck drivers, accountants, business owners, engineers, lawyers, mortgage brokers and Fortune 500 executives. Many of his cases have involved complex custody disputes, alimony claims, and high net worth individuals, including several divorces in which the value of the marital estate exceeded ten million dollars. Every client, no matter their background, is important to Jason. Jason routinely provides mediation services for family court litigants. Early in his career, Jason served as law clerk to the Honorable Timothy R. Bloomquist, retired Chief Judge of Minnesota’s Tenth Judicial District. In his spare time, he likes to collect, play and build guitars and spend time with his family in the north woods of Wisconsin.

  Link: Jason C. Brown

• Jamie L. Carrell

  Prior to joining BGS, Jamie worked as a law clerk and an associate attorney for local Twin Cities law firms. She has experience with litigation, negotiating settlements, and appellate writing. Jamie also has a degree in accounting and has worked in the pharmaceutical sector doing financial reporting and technical accounting. Her well-rounded background has prepared her to be an essential part of our growing Real Estate team. Outside of work, you can usually find Jamie at a local bookstore, playing guitar, or watching the Philadelphia Flyers. In the summer months, she also enjoys going kayaking and going on camping trips.

  Link: Jamie L. Carrell

• Carole Clark Isakson

  Practice Group Manager, Head of Data Privacy and Security Committee Carole Clark Isakson joined the firm in 2016. She enjoys the practice of law and the opportunity to build relationships and play a positive role in her clients’ businesses. Carole is a strong believer that every person can make a difference and in fact, has a duty to use his or her skills to make the world better. She is a lifelong volunteer for individuals and groups needing legal assistance. Outside of work, Carole’s interests include winter, ceramics, quilting, and learning. She also admits to a lifelong love of all things Star Trek.

  Link: Carole Clark Isakson

• Joseph J. Deuhs, Jr.

  Joseph J. Deuhs, Jr. joined Barna, Guzy & Steffen after practicing for more than 25 years at the law firm of Leonard, O’Brien, Spencer, Gale & Sayre, Ltd., in Minneapolis, where he began as an Associate in 1990. His extensive legal expertise in providing representation to financial institutions includes decades of counsel in matters of commercial lending transactions, workouts, restructures, enforcement of creditors’ remedies, and other banking matters. Joe also has experience in commercial real estate matters in areas that include acquisitions, financing, development, and leasing.

  Link: Joseph J. Deuhs, Jr.

• Beverly K. Dodge

  Beverly K. Dodge joined the firm of Steffen & Munstenteiger (the predecessor firm of Barna, Guzy & Steffen) right out of law school. She has practiced exclusively in the family law area for 35 years and enjoys helping her clients negotiate a difficult time in their lives and obtain the best possible outcome.

  Link: Beverly K. Dodge

• Timothy D. Erb

  Timothy D. Erb is a shareholder in our Real Estate department. He practices in both commercial and residential real estate, including acquisitions, sales, leasing, development, and title law. His practice also includes providing counsel to developers and associations regarding formation and operation of common interest communities (condominiums, townhomes/planned communities, mixed-use, and master associations).

  Link: Timothy D. Erb

• Tyler W. Eubank

  Tyler W. Eubank is an associate in our Litigation and Employment Law departments. He previously worked as a Judicial Law Clerk for the Hon. Tammi A. Fredrickson. Outside of work, Tyler enjoys hiking, camping, fishing, and being outdoors with his family.

  Link: Tyler W. Eubank

• Rachel L. Farhi

  Rachel is an associate attorney practicing in our Family Law department. She is experienced in representing clients in court appearances, early neutral evaluations, mediations, and settlement conferences. Following law school, Rachel served for four years as Law Clerk to the Honorable James A. Cunningham, Jr., Tenth Judicial District judge for Anoka County. She assisted Judge Cunningham on a rotation that included family cases as well as juvenile, criminal, probate, and civil matters. Before joining BGS, Rachel practiced at a family law firm in Minneapolis. Her family law experience originated in law school, during which she represented clients in a Civil Practice Clinic, clerked for a solo family law attorney, and volunteered at the Anoka County Family Law Clinic. Rachel’s experience has made her adept at identifying and recommending potential next steps for resolution of cases, seeking the best possible outcome for her clients and ensuring their rights are protected. She is passionate about helping families find solutions to move their lives forward, no matter how difficult the situation. Outside of work, Rachel is an accomplished choral singer and soloist, with memberships in various choirs throughout the Twin Cities. Notably, she is a member and section leader in Exultate Chamber Choir and Orchestra, and a section leader in the St. Mark’s Episcopal Cathedral Choir in downtown Minneapolis. When she is not practicing law or singing, she enjoys baking, relaxing with her cat, Tuna, and attending local musical theater and standup comedy shows.

  Link: Rachel L. Farhi

• Lindsay K. Fischbach

  Lindsay K. Fischbach is an associate in our Family Law Department. She has been exclusively practicing family law at Barna, Guzy & Steffen since September of 2016. Prior to that, she worked at another metro law firm, where she represented business and individual clients. Following law school, she clerked for two Minnesota District Court judges. She first clerked for Judge Robert R. Benson in Fillmore County, a one-Judge county. There she assisted Judge Benson with all kinds of District Court cases. Upon his retirement, she returned to the Twin Cities and clerked for Judge Robert A. Awsumb in Ramsey County. She spent one year on a family and juvenile delinquency assignment and another year on a civil assignment. Lindsay’s clerkship experience provides valuable insight on how District Court judges make decisions and guides her in helping clients navigate their cases. She prides herself on providing personalized attention and practical, tailored advice to her clients to address their unique situations and ensure their rights are protected.

  Link: Lindsay K. Fischbach

• Kate R. Fredrickson

  Kate is an associate in our firm’s Wills/Estates Probate and Trust administration department. Kate joined BGS in 2020 as a law clerk while finishing her J.D. at Mitchell Hamline Law School and became an attorney with the firm upon passing the bar in October 2022. During law school, Kate clerked for two professors and was an executive board member for the Legal Association of Women Students. Prior to attending law school, Kate worked as an accountant at UnitedHealthcare. Her experience as an accountant provides a unique financial perspective to her legal work today. Outside of work, during the winter months, you can find Kate at a hockey rink. Kate coaches a girls youth hockey team. Kate played club hockey while attending North Dakota State University. Kate’s team won the ACHA Division 2 National Championship in 2015. During the summer, she spends as many weekends as she can on the pontoon at her family’s lake cabin in northern Minnesota.

  Link: Kate R. Fredrickson

• Scott M. Hagel

  Scott practices in our Commercial and Business Law group and has more than twenty years of experience serving clients in a wide range of business issues and transactions. Previously a partner at Zappia & LeVahn and Henson & Efron, Scott has also acted as the COO and General Counsel for a private equity firm. Scott routinely works with clients in mergers and acquisitions; having represented both buyer and seller in both large and small transactions. He has experience in tax law, securities and all areas of business formation, franchise law, and corporate governance. Clients rely on his extensive experience negotiating and completing complex business transactions of all types across numerous industries.

  Link: Scott M. Hagel

• Bobbi Hermanson-Albers

  Bobbi Hermanson-Albers is an associate in our Estate Planning department. Bobbi represents her clients in a variety of matters including estate planning, tax planning, long term care planning, disability planning, probate court proceedings, estate administration, trust administration, and guardianships and conservatorship proceedings. Prior to joining Barna, Guzy & Steffen, Bobbi worked as a Family Lawyer at a boutique Minneapolis area law firm and as a Judicial Law Clerk in the Tenth Judicial District with (now retired) Judge B. William Ekstrum. Outside her practice Bobbi enjoys spending time with her family, participating in vocal ensembles, reading and participating in book clubs, serving as a Council Member for Christ Lutheran Church in Blaine, and traveling.

  Link: Bobbi Hermanson-Albers

• William F. Huefner

  William F. Huefner (Bill) joined BGS as an attorney in 1993. Prior to attending law school Bill worked as an accountant, including five years with the Internal Revenue Service. Bill’s background in accounting combined with his law degree allows him to assist his clients with their estate planning, trust, and probate needs.

  Link: William F. Huefner

• Ashley M. Kemplin-Gamm

  Ashley joined our Real Estate practice group in fall of 2022. She is an experienced Real Estate attorney having worked on several complex commercial transactions all over the country, including development, purchases and sales, leasing, land use, subdivision and platting and title review. Prior to entering private practice, Ashley spent seven years working in the commercial title industry as a commercial closer and underwriter, where she managed complex purchase, sale and development transactions nationwide. Ashley is an active member of several Real Estate organizations including Minnesota Commercial Association of Real Estate/Realtors and Minnesota Shopping Center Association. Outside of her practice, Ashley spends her time traveling nationally and internationally with her husband, golfing, attending concerts and spending time at the family lake home on Mille Lacs.

  Link: Ashley M. Kemplin-Gamm

• Kristin L. Kingsbury

  Kristin focuses her practice in Commercial Litigation, Employment Law, Construction Law, and Real Estate Litigation. She has represented clients in business employment matters, buy-outs and partnership disputes, business contract disputes and all manners of real estate issues. Her nearly twenty years of experience include securing a judgment in a commercial encroachment case exceeding $1.2 million, and securing a monetary sanction in excess of $600,000 in a spoliation of evidence matter before the United States District Court. Kristin’s extensive business litigation experience helps keeps her clients out of court when possible, but when necessary, she represents their best interests in trial. Outside of work, Kristin enjoys playing and listening to live music, hiking, cabin time, gardening and cooking, trying to keep up with her two children and family and friends, and laughing.

• Bradley A. Kletscher

  Bradley A. Kletscher is a seasoned trial lawyer. As a commercial litigator, he has used his experience in the courtroom to help businesspeople resolve their disputes in a cost-effective manner while achieving the best results possible. Brad’s representation includes resolving disputes prior to or after a lawsuit has started. His extensive experience before trial courts and appellate courts has led to successful results for many of his clients. He can bring his experience to work for you.

• Robert A. LaFleur

  Rob is an estate planning, estate administration, taxation and business law attorney. He has assisted clients with their legal needs for more than thirty years and has extensive experience in litigation, mediation and effective negotiation skills. He focuses his practice on assisting both individuals and businesses with issues ranging from setting up a small business to setting up a family trust. Rob is uniquely qualified to represent clients with his extensive background which includes decades of estate planning (wills, trusts, probate); taxation law, lease and contract renewal experience.

  Link: Robert A. LaFleur

• Scott M. Lepak

  Scott M. Lepak has been representing employers on labor and employment matters in Minnesota since 1987. His labor practice is focused on assisting employers who are experiencing organizational efforts, facing unit determination hearings, conducting labor negotiations, strike planning, and dealing with unfair labor practices in both the private and public sector. He is also experienced in labor arbitration on grievances and in interest arbitration. Scott’s employment law practice focuses on providing advice on the application of state and federal law to particular employment situations; preparing personnel policies and affirmative action plans; drafting employment agreements, severance packages, and releases; performing investigations; advising on discipline situations; and defending employers on claims for violation of any federal or state laws related to employment. Scott is among leading Minnesota attorneys on matters affecting local government and nonprofit agencies. He is outside counsel on labor and employment law counsel for the League of Minnesota Cities (LMC) and is the author of a treatise on the Minnesota Public Labor Relations Act, available on the LMC website. He is a member of the metro area chief labor negotiator’s roundtable and is a frequent lecturer on labor and employment topics. Scott has served as City Attorney for the City of St. Francis since 2000, the City of Becker since 2009, and the City of Champlin since 2014.

  Link: Scott M. Lepak

• Jacob W. LeVahn

  Jacob LeVahn is an associate in our firm’s Business and Corporate Law department and also works with our Estate Planning/Probate Administration department. His extensive experience as a law clerk at his former law firm, Zappia & LeVahn, has prepared him to assist clients in Company Formations, Commercial Transactions including Mergers and Acquisitions, Real Estate Acquisitions, Estate Planning, Probate Administration, and Trust Administration. Jacob’s range of expertise spans from assisting individual clients with simple wills, to setting up tax plans for businesses and corporations. Outside of work, Jacob enjoys watching MN sports teams (particularly the MN Vikings), exercising, hunting with his father and twin brother, and spending quality time with his friends and family.

  Link: Jacob W. LeVahn

• Joel T. LeVahn

  Joel is a Corporate/Business lawyer who has represented clients for more than forty years at the law firm he helped found: Zappia & LeVahn. He has extensive experience with assisting clients in all areas of business transactions from start up to well established companies to transition and estate planning. He spent those years as the managing partner at his former law firm, and joined BGS in July 2023. He has served several generations of clients and understands the value of a tradition of service and excellence. Throughout his career he has invested time and expertise to create and maintain trusted alliances with the clients he has served. Joel provides legal services in a range of industries and professional organizations from manufacturing and distributing, real estate developers, builders, bars/restaurants, sports management companies, waste hauling and information service providers. He routinely negotiates and drafts sales and acquisition agreements, commercial leases and purchase agreements, employment agreements, estate plans and more for his clients. As an entrepreneur himself, Joel knows the importance of understanding the client’s business and industry in order to best serve their legal needs. Joel lives in Blaine, MN with his wife of 30 years, Jolene, and their yellow lab, Blue.

  Link: Joel T. LeVahn

• Travis J. Lutz

  Before joining BGS, Travis worked as an associate attorney for a local Twin Cities law firm where he gained experience in a variety of practice areas including litigation, business, probate, and criminal defense. In that role, he successfully represented clients in court and before administrative boards. Prior to that, Travis served in the U.S. Army JAG Corps from 2018 until 2022. While in the Army, Travis prosecuted both military and civilian crimes as a Chief of Military Justice and Special Assistant U.S. Attorney. He then went on to serve as the Deputy Command Judge Advocate for the Army’s largest air and missile defense command. Outside of work, Travis enjoys cycling regional trails, home improvement projects and motorsports.

  Link: Travis J. Lutz

• Kyle T. Manderfeld

  Associate Attorney

  Kyle is an associate in our firm’s Personal Injury & Criminal Law department. Kyle joined BGS in November 2024. His previous experience as a Law Clerk for the Ramsey County Attorney’s Office in St. Paul prepared him for the courtroom as he appeared there on behalf of the prosecution. His experience ranges from analyzing criminal complaints and preparing for First Appearance and Omnibus hearings to negotiating fair and equitable sentencing agreements. Before attending law school Kyle spent time as an English/Math teacher in Thailand teaching kids ages 12-18. He graduated from Mitchell Hamline School of Law Cum Laude in May 2024. Outside of work, Kyle enjoys running around the lakes of Minneapolis, catching a Twins game at Target Field, and spending time with his girlfriend and their two cats.

• Carla J. Pedersen

  Carla J. Pedersen joined Barna, Guzy & Steffen after practicing for more than 27 years at the law firm of McGrann Shea Carnival Straughn & Lamb, Chtd., in Minneapolis, where she began as an Associate in 1997. Carla practices in commercial real estate development and leasing, financing, governmental law and multifamily housing. She has more than thirty years of experience in real estate law which encompasses all aspects of real estate deals including purchase, sale and development of real estate; landlord and tenant leasing; real estate and public financing; governmental matters; and multifamily housing matters. Carla has also been involved with continuing education seminars, keeping herself and colleagues abreast of important legal developments and changes in the real estate field. Notable local projects Carla has worked on include Alliance Field, Downtown East, Palace Theatre, Target Field, W Minneapolis – The Foshay, CHS Field, Midtown Exchange, Guthrie Theater and the Chambers Hotel. She also has experience working on multi-family housing developments, both market rate and affordable. Her client base is diverse, and she has experience in many sizes/types of real estate deals. Clients rely on her extensive experience negotiating and completing complex business transactions of all types across numerous industries. Outside of work, Carla enjoys spending time with family at the cabin and on the lake, gardening and doing yard work, and watching sporting events, especially hockey.

  Link: Carla J. Pedersen

• Stephany J. Peters

  Associate Attorney

  Stephany Peters joined the firm of Barna, Guzy & Steffen in 2018 as a Law Clerk while attending law school at the University of St. Thomas Law. After graduating from law school and passing the bar, Stephany became an Associate Attorney in the Real Estate department, working closely with our other attorneys to help the firm serve existing clients and build for the future. Stephany also has experience as a Judicial Extern for Hon. Mary R. Vasaly of the Hennepin County District Court. Outside of the office, Stephany enjoys spending time with family and friends, traveling, staying active, extreme sports like skydiving and bungee jumping, and attending concerts.

• Joan M. Quade

  Joan M. Quade has more than 30 years of legal practice and negotiating and/or litigation solutions to problems for businesses or individuals. In addition to representing clients and businesses, Joan is also a qualified mediator able to resolve disputes between parties.

  Link: Joan M. Quade

• Cathryn D. Reher

  Cathryn Reher joined Barna, Guzy & Steffen in 2021 as a Shareholder with more than 20 years of experience. She utilizes detailed estate and long-term care planning analysis to advocate for clients in elder law and special needs planning. Cathryn is also certified in federal veterans benefits and since 1993, has helped clients with Veterans Homes planning. For more than a decade, Cathryn has served as faculty with Kaplan Professional Schools, teaching courses to nonlegal professionals. In addition, she has presented through the Minnesota State Board of Continuing Legal Education and the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys Minnesota Chapter for almost 30 years. Outside the courtroom, Cathryn enjoys traveling and biking. She and her family are also wildly enthusiastic – and competitive – about professional soccer. She is a passionate chef and gardener, whose favorite flowers are the brilliant orange Trollius (globeflower) and striking and spiny sea holly. A reading enthusiast, Cathryn highly recommends Joan Didion’s book “The Year of Magical Thinking” because of its valuable insights on coping with loss.

  Link: Cathryn D. Reher

• David R. Schaps

  David R. Schaps is an experienced attorney in the areas of labor arbitration, economic development, public administration, and state and local government law. He is a frequent guest lecturer at the Hamline Graduate School of Business and Mitchell Hamline School of Law on these topics. Before joining BGS, he served as the Assistant City Administrator for the City of Oakdale, Minnesota. Dave is an avid fan of Minnesota’s professional sports teams. He regularly volunteers with the Roseville Area Optimist Club and loves to spend time traveling and walking along the North Shore of Lake Superior.

  Link: David R. Schaps

• Tammy J. Schemmel

  Tammy is a shareholder in the Commercial Real Estate department and a member of the firm’s Board of Directors. With over fifteen years of experience, Tammy handles a wide variety of commercial real estate matters. She has significant experience in representing buyers and sellers of hotels and landlords and tenants in commercial leasing transactions. She represents owners of office, warehouse, and retail properties in leasing matters for approximately 12,000,000 square feet of space, including four first class buildings in downtown Minneapolis. Tammy also has experience litigating commercial real estate matters and she employs that knowledge while negotiating commercial real estate transactions. Before joining Barna, Guzy & Steffen, she served as a clerk for United States Magistrate Judge Janie S. Mayeron of the United States District Court for the District of Minnesota.

  Link: Tammy J. Schemmel

• Charles M. Seykora

  Link: Charles M. Seykora

• Ellen M. Stirzl

  Attorney

  Ellen is an associate in our firm’s Litigation/Business & Employment Law department. Ellen joined BGS in 2023 as a Law Clerk while finishing her J.D. at University of St. Thomas School of Law and became an attorney with the firm upon passing the bar in October 2024. Her experience includes drafting motions, research, case management and client communication to keep clients up to date on their cases. Prior to and during law school Ellen also worked as an intern at Xcel Energy where she worked on siting and land rights issues, and later another law firm where she honed her writing and research skills as well as litigation. Her Bachelor of Science in Environmental Science and her participation in her law school’s Environmental Law Society gives her a unique perspective on environmental law and the complex legal issues involved.

• Adriel B. Villarreal

  Adriel B. Villarreal’s areas of practice include personal injury and criminal defense law. Adriel is bilingual and able to assist English and Spanish speaking clients. Adriel practica en la herida personal y la defensa criminal. Adriel es bilingüe y capaz de ayudar clientes en ingles o espanol. Adriel is an experienced Personal Injury and Criminal Defense attorney who can assist you in navigating the often times complicated legal process and fight for the most positive outcome for your situation.

  Link: Adriel B. Villarreal

• Thomas R. Wentzell

  Thomas R. Wentzell is an experienced attorney in the areas of real estate development, leasing, finance, acquisitions/dispositions, and land use. He joined our team of Real Estate attorneys in 2014 and has focused his practice primarily on assisting real estate clients in their commercial transactions, but he handles real estate matters of all types. He has taught seminars in commercial leasing and is a leader in his field. Outside of the office, Tom enjoys golf, bicycling, and basketball. An active outdoorsman, Tom is particularly happy if he is with family by (or on!) a lake.

  Link: Thomas R. Wentzell