Category: News & Events
Preparing Students for Jobs
April 20, 2018 | Barna, Guzy & Steffen, Ltd.As she has for many years, BGS Attorney Carole Clark Isakson recently spent a morning at Osseo Senior High School conducting mock interviews with students. This year nearly FIVE HUNDRED students will participate in mock interviews, which are well designed to give each student a taste of what a real job interview is like. “It is an activity I really enjoy”, said Isakson, “and I know it has tremendous value for the students, many of whom have never interviewed for a job.” Students are randomly assigned to one of the many interviewers, and are evaluated on everything from their responses to questions, to their posture. The interviewers are provided a range of questions that employers may ask, including those general “tell me about yourself” and “what has been your biggest challenge” questions that can temporarily stump even the most practiced adult. Working with students on how to answer those questions in a way that tells a potential employer something good about the student is one of the jobs of the interviewer, but not the only job! Resumes are reviewed and edited, and questions are answered. And while an interviewer works on content, he or she also works with the students on appearance and posture. Most students are aware that eye contact is…
Read MoreBGS Holds Annual Meeting as it Celebrates 80 Years of Legal Service
March 29, 2018 | Barna, Guzy & Steffen, Ltd.A Tradition of Service Since 1938: Barna, Guzy & Steffen Ltd. Celebrates 80 Years of Legal Service Barna, Guzy and Steffen, Ltd (BGS) is a full service law firm providing clients with the personal and professional services they deserve since 1938. The firm was founded by the late Honorable Joseph E. Wargo. Wargo graduated from University of Minnesota Law School in 1938 and he opened his law office in Columbia Heights, where he was raised. Wargo left his office and took a tour of duty with the Navy for World War II. He was later joined by Peter Barna (1953) and Robert Guzy (1958). They moved their combined practice into a remodeled grocery store building in Columbia Heights where they practiced for many years. They merged with Merrill, Hynes and Giancola for a time becoming Barna, Guzy, Merrill, Hynes and Giancola after Wargo left to become a district judge. The firm moved to Coon Rapids in 1991 after a merger with Anoka firm Steffen Munstentieger. Coon Rapids was chosen as a central location between Anoka and Columbia Heights, with the benefit of being close to major highways and the courthouse in Anoka. Over the years, the firm has had mergers, moved, and grown into what is now a 30-attorney law firm serving a…
Read MoreAttorney Carole Clark Isakson Speaks at Women Venture Event
January 10, 2018 | Barna, Guzy & Steffen, Ltd.On Tuesday January 9, 2018, BGS attorney Carole Clark Isakson had the pleasure of teaching a group of motivated women entrepreneurs about intellectual property issues in small businesses. Topics included trademark registration and use, software licenses, who owns the IP when you use a third party, and other topics relevant to small businesses in general. The seminar was arranged by Women Venture, a non-profit organization that serves women entrepreneurs in the Twin Cities area. It offers training, advice, loans and related services to women who complete various training and have a solid business proposal. To date Women Venture has served more than 1000 clients! Carole recently became a volunteer with Women Venture, and is excited to be part of such a great endeavor. Women Venture is an SBA approved micro-lender and CDFI; it also works with local banks and community partners. After the enjoyable and interactive seminar for female business owners, Carole answered questions for almost an hour! And then headed into a second meeting with the Women Venture staff to talk about the new LLC Act and how it impacts Women Venture and the community it serves. It was a long but productive afternoon at Women Venture. BGS is proud to support the work of Women Venture and entrepreneurs in general!
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