BGS Attorneys Named Super Lawyers and Rising Stars

July 10, 2015  |  Barna, Guzy & Steffen, Ltd.

Barna, Guzy and Steffen would like to congratulate their attorneys named to the 2015 Minnesota Super Lawyers lists. This year, the law firm had five Super Lawyers and two Rising Stars named to the lists. The attorneys named Super Lawyers were: John T. Buchman/Personal Injury Michael F. Hurley/Banking Jeffrey S. Johnson/Real Estate Bradley A. Kletscher/Business Litigation Steven G. Thorson/Real Estate And the Rising Stars: Timothy D. Erb/Real Estate Tammy J. Schemmel/Business Litigation These attorneys will appear in the Minnesota Super Lawyers Magazine published in August 2015 and distributed to attorneys in Minnesota and the ABA-accredited law school libraries. In addition, selected attorneys will also appear in the August 2015 issue of Mpls./St.Paul Magazine and Twin Cities Business. Super Lawyers are chosen using peer nominations and evaluations which are combined with third party research. Each candidate is evaluated on 12 indicators of peer recognition and professional achievement. Selections are made on an annual, state-by-state basis. It is an honor to have attorneys named Super Lawyers/Rising Stars. This acknowledgement reinforces the firm’s continuing mission to be recognized as the best and most innovative law firm in their market.

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BGS Attorney Karen Kurth Elected President of the Anoka County Bar Association

July 8, 2015  |  Barna, Guzy & Steffen, Ltd.

BGS Attorney Karen K. Kurth has been elected President of the Anoka County Bar Association for a one year term that began July 1, 2015. Karen practices in the firm’s Business Litigation and Employment Law section focusing her practice on commercial litigation, employment litigation and counseling, construction litigation, real estate litigation, landlord/tenant law, shareholder disputes, and appellate advocacy. Karen’s extensive background in accounting and commercial insurance enhances her ability to evaluate and successfully resolve a broad range of employment and commercial litigation issues. Karen received her J.D. at William Mitchell College of Law in 2002, graduating Magna Cum Laude. She was admitted to the Minnesota State Bar in 2002 and to the U.S. District Court for the District of Minnesota in 2004. Karen joined Barna, Guzy, & Steffen as an associate in 2004. Also from Barna Guzy & Steffen, Family Lawyer Elizabeth Schading was named the ACBA’s MSBA Alternate Representative and Litigation/Employment Lawyer Jennifer Moreau was named to the Education Subcommittee. The Anoka County Bar Association is the 21st district of the Minnesota State Bar Association. Its membership is primarily made up of attorneys that live or work in Anoka County. The organization seeks to help lawyers become better lawyers by providing social and educational opportunities for its members. It seeks to aid…

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Medical Cannabis: What it Means for Minnesota Employers

July 1, 2015  |  Joan M. Quade

An brief overview of the new law by attorney Joan M. Quade and law clerk Tyler W. Eubank The New Law for Minnesota Residents In the Spring of 2014, Governor Mark Dayton signed a bill into law authorizing the use of medical cannabis. The law became effective on July 1, 2015. Regarded as one of the most restrictive medical cannabis laws in the nation, the law only allows for the use of cannabis to treat a number of chronic diseases such as HIV, AIDS, glaucoma, Tourette’s syndrome, seizures, and Crohn’s disease. The law also allows the use of cannabis in the treatment for cancer where the patient suffers from chronic pain, nausea, or severe wasting. Once a doctor has determined that a patient has a qualifying disease, the patient must apply to be placed on the state-wide registry. A medical cannabis dispensary may only give cannabis products to people who are on the registry. Minnesota Restrictions for Medical Cannabis The law also provides that medical cannabis may only be administered and consumed in a number of ways. The patient may take cannabis in oil, vapor, or pill form. The patient may not smoke marijuana. The law does not save a person from liability from negligence or professional malpractice for being under the influence…

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