< PreviousAWARDS ANNOUNCEMENTS PRESS RELEASES EVENTS PROMOTIONS ACTIVITES HONORS RECOGNITIONS TALK TOWN of the SUBMIT PRESS RELEASES FOR NEXT MONTH’S TALK OF THE TOWN AT WWW.ATTORNEYATLAWMAGAZINE.COM/SUBMIT-NEWS/ Dave Seawell, Publisher | Minnesota Edition | (763) 742-2805 | DSeawell@AttorneyAtLawMagazine.com Merchant & Gould P.C. announced the promotions of Al- paslan Sapmaz, Julie K. Skoge and Paige S. Stradley, to partners. Sapmaz practices gen- eral intellectual prop- erty law with an em- phasis on patent prose- cution in the mechani- cal arts. Skoge is a reg- istered patent attorney who practices IP law with an emphasis on patent prosecution for both domestic and for- eign clients. Stradley handles a range of IP litigation involv- ing patents (utility and design), copy- rights, trademark, trade dress and false advertising disputes. Bassford Remele Shareholder Mark R. Bradford has been accepted into the American Board of Trial Ad- vocates (ABOTA). Bradford is also a Fellow of the American Academy of Appellate Lawyers and the International Soci- ety of Barristers. Bassford Remele an- nounced that Kaitlyn E. Hennessy has become an associate of the firm. Hennessy focuses her practice in the areas of consumer law defense, professional liability, insur- ance coverage, organizational liability, and construction. Spencer Fane LLP announced that James (Jim) Lodoen has joined the firm as a partner in the firm’s Bank- ruptcy, Restructuring, and Creditors’ Rights practice group. Lodoen helps businesses and entrepreneurs prepare for and resolve financial challenges whether arising from changing mar- ket conditions, excess leverage, opera- tional issues or unanticipated events. Governor Tim Walz announced the appointment of Ms. Jeanine Brand as a District Court Judge in Minnesota’s Ninth Judicial District. Ms. Brand will fill the vacancy occur- ring upon the retirement of the Hon- orable Paul T. Benshoof. She will be chambered in Bemidji in Beltrami County. Governor Tim Walz announced the appointment of Kellie Charles and Edward Sheu as District Court Judges in Minnesota’s Second Judicial District. Both seats will be chambered in St. Paul. Winthrop & Weinstine announced that Kyle Kroll, attorney in the Busi- ness & Commercial Litigation prac- tice, has been elected Assistant Trea- surer of the Federal Bar Association Minnesota Chapter. Kyle’s complex commercial litigation experience in- cludes class action, antitrust and un- fair competition, false advertising, intellectual property, and utilities matters. Bassford Remele Shareholder Michael Klutho was elected to the ACA Inter- national, Inc. Board of Directors. Klu- tho has more than 30 years of experi- ence defending clients and helping them prevent consumer law and pro- fessional liability disputes. Klutho de- fends collection attorneys and collec- tion agencies facing FDCPA, FCRA and TCPA lawsuits Henson Efron attorney, Stuart Williams has been elected chair of the Minnesota Drug Formulary Committee. Bassford Remele an- nounced that Tal A. Bakke has joined the firm as an associate. Bakke is a litigator who focuses his practice in the areas of commercial Kaitlyn E. Hennessy Michael Klutho Alpaslan Sapmaz Julie K. Skoge Paige S. Stradley Tal A. Bakke ATTORNEY AT LAW MAGAZINE · MINNESOTA · V OL. 9 NO. 7 20AWARDS ANNOUNCEMENTS PRESS RELEASES EVENTS PROMOTIONS ACTIVITES HONORS RECOGNITIONS TALK TOWN of the VIEW View the latest news from lawyers, law firms and associations at attorneyatlawmagazine.com/ talk-of-the-town/ SUBSCRIBE Want to stay-up-to date? Subscribe to the weekly newsletter at attorneyatlawmagazine.com/ subscribe/ SUBMIT Want to share your news? Submit your press release at attorneyatlawmagazine.com/ submit-news/ ATT ORNEYATLA WMA GAZINE. COM litigation, products liability, employ- ment law, and professional liability. Henson Efron attorney, Katy Graves, has been elected chair of the Board of Marriage and Family Thera- py. Graves was recently elected chair and is one of two public members of the board. She is also a member of the Complaint Panel which considers ethical complaints made against a marriage and family therapists. Arthur, Chapman, Kettering, Smetak & Pikala, P.A. announced the addition of attorneys Roger H. Gross, Marissa K. Linden, Timothy P. To- bin, and R. Stephen Tillitt. Gross’ practice concentrates in automobile law, construction law, and insurance litigation. Linden is a civil litigator who focuses her practice on general insurance defense, in- surance coverage, and professional liability defense. Janet G. Stellpflug has founded a new boutique commercial litigation firm, Stellp- flug Law PLLC, focus- ing primarily on con- struction and product liability defense. Sauro and Bergstrom, PLLC, an- nounced that Corbin Arnal has joined the firm as a senior associate attorney. Ms. Arnal brings ten years of valued experience to support the firm’s existing clientele, its complex civil litigation practice including con- struction and property damage insur- ance cases and to spearhead the firm’s debt relief and bankruptcy practice. Gregerson, Rosow, Johnson & Nilan announced that Nicholas Sid- eras has joined the firm as an associ- ate attorney. Nick joins the firm after serving as a judicial law clerk to Judge Barbara Hanson of the Minnesota District Court and Judge Randall Slieter of the Minnesota Court of Ap- peals. Meagher + Geer an- nounced that Shlomo Hahn has joined the firm by way of the Twin Cities Diversity in Prac- tice 1L Summer Rota- tion Clerkship Program. Hahn is a ris- ing second-year law student at the University of Minnesota Law School. Janet G. Stellpflug Corbin Arnal Shlomo HahnNational Recovery Month, held every September, seeks to increase awareness, and celebrate successes of those in recovery. What have we learned about recovery and the need for recovery in the pandemic and amid societal changes? Lawyers Concerned for Lawyers (LCL) provides free and confidential as- sistance to our profession on any issue that causes stress or distress. Here are our observations as we strive to support our colleagues. First, those already in an active recovery program have a toolbox to face an invisible and potentially lethal illness that may initially have no external signs and are using it. When the fellowship of the recovery community became remote, its importance led to incredibly creative ways to stay connected and to avoid the isolation that can trigger a recurrence. It is a struggle and efforts must be redoubled. These principles of living in the moment and self-care are for everyone. A second observation is that some in recovery are using again. Though they had made a commitment to themselves and sometimes to others to be absti- nent, isolation and uncertainty, and sometimes the opinion that as lawyers we can figure things out on our own, led to a recurrence. Even some in long-term recovery, who may not have been fully engaged in their recovery program, felt like the floor had dropped from beneath them. The third observation is that some who did not have a problem (or didn’t think they did) are drinking and using at greater and different levels than be- fore, including while working. As we work from home (or live at work), we have lost that natural boundary at the end of the workday. Other triggers for increased and irregular use are stress, uncertainty, loss, boredom, and isola- tion. We have all of those. If you notice you are drinking more or in different ways, honestly ask your- self if you are concerned about your use. Has anyone else commented on it and how do you feel about that? Do you have regrets about your use or some- thing that happened during your use? Through LCL telehealth assessments and counseling, and support for underlying stress are available. As an employer, if some- one seems like they might be intoxicated, or is disorganized or missing things, be very concerned. LCL can coach you on how to support a colleague as they get the help they need. JOAN BIBELHAUSEN IS EXECU- TIVE DIRECTOR OF LAWYERS CON- CERNED FOR LAWYERS. SHE IS COMMITTED TO HELPING LEGAL PROFESSIONALS AND THEIR ORGA- NIZATIONS THRIVE IN A STRESSFUL PROFESSION. WWW.MNLCL.ORG, HELP@MNLCL. ORG, 651-646-5590. 651-646-5590 . 866-525-6466 . help@mnlcl.org 24-Hour Helpline: 888-243-5744 Recovery Month in Uncertain Times BY JOAN BIBELHAUSEN ATTORNEY AT LAW MAGAZINE · MINNESOTA · V OL. 9 NO. 7 22Top 10 - Forbes Best Banks Western Alliance Bank specializes in banking for law firms and settlement administrators. 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