Jim is one of Minnesota’s most experienced and respected attorneys in his area of practice, which focuses on estate planning, probate and trust administration, family business succession and tax planning. He has a master’s degree in taxation and has been enrolled to practice before the Internal Revenue Service since 1985. He is a frequent lecturer on advanced estate planning, tax, and business succession planning topics. He has taught numerous continuing legal education courses on estate planning, tax, and related topics, and is often asked to speak about these topics to various civic organizations. He is a member of the Minnesota State Bar Associations (MSBA) Probate and Trust law Section where he works on behalf of its members and the public to assist with and improve the practice of estate planning, probate, and trust law in Minnesota. He has also spent years working on MSBA legislative issues.

Jim works closely with couples and individuals to help structure estate plans that achieve their objectives in the most tax efficient way possible. He works with clients to plan and implement trusts for children or grandchildren or develop other strategies to pass wealth to the next generation while minimizing tax liabilities. He guides families and individuals through the probate and estate settlement process, administers and resolves trust and estate disputes, and applies his experience working with fiduciaries to resolve estate, gift and income tax disputes.

After 25 + years as a lawyer, Jim appreciates the opportunity he has to help clients deal with difficult situations. His clients value the clear professional guidance he provides and his knack for making complex issues easy to understand. Jim earned his law degree, as well as a master’s degree in taxation, from the William Mitchell College of Law where he graduated with honors. He earned his undergraduate degree from St. Olaf College.

At the office, Jim is especially popular with coffee lovers because he roasts his own beans. When he’s not working, Jim likes to spend time with his wife at the lake, where he enjoys fishing, biking, or spending time on the water in his pontoon boat, jet ski or kayak.