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

Joseph A. Kelly,
Shareholder

Kevin M. Beck,
Shareholder

Kevin is a shareholder with the firm. He is a graduate of Carleton College and Mitchell Hamline College of Law. His practice is primarily devoted to litigation in the areas of labor and employment, municipal, and corporate law. He has been named a Super Lawyers Rising Star each year since 2012, an honor bestowed upon less than 2.5% of eligible attorneys.

Kevin advises public and private labor unions on collective-bargaining rights and obligations and represents labor unions and their members in grievance arbitrations, with particular experience representing law enforcement officers. Kevin also represents veterans to enforce their rights under the Minnesota Veterans Preference Act. Kevin manages all aspects of litigation files, from drafting pleadings, to discovery and motions work, through verdict and appeal. In addition, Kevin makes frequent appearances and oversees petty misdemeanor, misdemeanor, and gross misdemeanor prosecution cases as a prosecutor in Ramsey and Washington Counties. Kevin also advises corporations and individuals on transactional matters, ranging from employment issues, to contract interpretation/drafting, and regulatory compliance.

Areas of Practice

  • Labor & Employment
  • Corporate
  • Municipal
  • Criminal
  • General Litigation

Bar Admissions

  • State of Minnesota
  • State of Utah
  • United States District Court, District of Minnesota
  • Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals

Education

  • Mitchell Hamline College of Law, Saint Paul, Minnesota
    • J.D. – 2008
  • Carleton College, Northfield, Minnesota
    • B.A. – 2005

Honors & Awards

  • Super Lawyers Rising Star, Mpls/St. Paul Magazine, 2012-2018, 2021-2023
  • Mothers Against Drunk Driving – 2014 Outstanding Metro Area Prosecutor

Professional Associations & Memberships

  • Minnesota State Bar Association
  • Minnesota State Bar Foundation, Board of Directors
  • Ramsey County Bar Association
  • Second Judicial District Ethics Committee
  • Warren E. Burger Inn of Court

Rebecca L. Duren,
Shareholder

Rebecca maintains an aggressive posture toward litigation on behalf of her clients. Her successful track record has earned her the 2016 Up & Coming Attorney by Minnesota Lawyer Magazine and 2019 Rising Star by Super Lawyer Magazine. 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 prepares thoroughly, advised appropriately, and engages relentlessly. Her experience and tenacity has yielded back-to-back acquittals of her clients in recent years including criminal sexual conduct and first degree premeditated murder charges. Rebecca received her bachelor’s degree from St. Olaf College and her law degree from William Mitchell College of law in St. Paul, Minnesota. During law school, Rebecca clerked at the Ramsey County Public Defender’s Office. Following law school, she served as an Assistant Public Defender in Southwest Minnesota and Ramsey County Minnesota where she represented clients in misdemeanor and serious felony matters.

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

Joseph A. Kelly,
Shareholder

Joe is a shareholder with the firm. He is a 2005 graduate of Arizona State University, one of the top 100 research universities in the world, and a 2008 graduate of Mitchell Hamline College of Law. Joe has frequently been recognized as a Super Lawyers Rising Star, including each year since 2015, and was named an Up-and-Coming Attorney by Minnesota Lawyer in 2017. In addition, Joe is a Lieutenant Colonel in the U.S. Army National Guard where he has served on two deployments and been awarded, among other, a Ranger Tab, Meritorious Service Medal, Army Commendation Medal, Army Achievement Medal (Second Award), Air Assault Badge, Expert Infantry Badge, and Pathfinder Badge. In 2015, Joe received a “Veterans Voices” award for his contributions to his community and protecting the employment rights of Veterans in Minnesota. In 2016, Joe was one of just 28 officers in the United States honored with the General Douglas MacArthur Leadership Award, which recognizes outstanding company grade officers who demonstrate the ideals for which General MacArthur stood—duty, honor, and country.

Joe’s practice spans municipal, labor and employment, and property law. Joe advises city staff and elected officials on municipal legal issues, including the open meeting law, data practices act, and land use and zoning, including assessments under Chapter 429. Joe also advises labor unions on collective-bargaining rights and obligations and represents labor unions in grievance arbitrations. Joe has particular experience representing law enforcement officers and veterans under the Minnesota Veterans Preference Act. Joe makes frequent appearances and oversees petty misdemeanor, misdemeanor, and gross misdemeanor prosecution cases as a prosecutor in Ramsey and Washington Counties.

Areas of Practice

  • Labor & Employment
  • Municipal
  • Criminal
  • General Litigation

Bar Admissions

  • State of Minnesota
  • United States District Court, District of Minnesota
  • Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals

Education

  • Mitchell Hamline College of Law, Saint Paul, Minnesota
    • J.D. – 2008
  • Arizona State University, Tempe, Arizona
    • B.A. – 2005

Honors & Awards

  • Super Lawyers, Rising Star, 2012, 2015-2021
  • Super Lawyers, 2023

Chad D. Lemmons,
Shareholder

Martin H. R. Norder,
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

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

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

Kristina J. Borgen,
Attorney

Michael Johnson,
Attorney

Patrick J. Kelly,
Retired

Kristina J. Borgen,
Attorney

Kristina is an associate attorney with Kelly & Lemmons where she primarily prosecutes on behalf of municipalities in Dakota, Washington, and Ramsey Counties. Kristina has focused her criminal practice on representing parties as both a prosecutor and defense attorney.  She began her legal career clerking and later working as a prosecutor in Hudson, Wisconsin.  She then worked as a highly successful criminal defense attorney throughout Minnesota with the State Public Defender’s office and later as a private attorney representing hundreds of clients throughout Minnesota. Her dedication to her clients earned her the honor of a Super Lawyers Rising Star in 2020, 2021, and 2022 and the National Trial Lawyers Top 40 under 40 in 2019.

Areas of Practice

  • Prosecution & Criminal Defense
  • Nonprofit Corporation
  • Labor & Employment

Bar Admissions

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

Education

  • Mitchell Hamline
    • J.D. – 2011
  • Minnesota State University – Mankato
    • B.A. – 2008

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