Biography
Clients come to us when their lives have been turned upside down.
Whether they were hit by a truck on their way to work or lost a loved one in a boating accident – our clients are members of our community.
But when tragedy strikes, it’s hard to know where to turn.
That’s why my goal is to be a steady hand for my clients, guiding them through the chaos as they make their decisions on the road to recovery.
In 2020, I represented a client on a case that I will never forget.
A woman experiencing homelessness in downtown St. Paul was walking to her full-time job when a young man driving a pick-up truck backed into her. Instead of offering sympathy, the young man made up a story that the woman was trying to steal something from the back of his truck.
The woman’s injuries included multiple broken bones and required surgery well beyond what she was able to afford.
Luckily, we were able to track down enough witnesses who saw what happened to prove that the driver was at fault, and the insurance company eventually paid the full policy limits.
This allowed my client to not only pay off all her medical debt, but also gave her enough money to purchase her own home and car.
It’s cases like these – cases that allow us to enact real, lasting change for injured people in our community – that make this work so important.
However, law school wasn’t originally on my mind while studying at the University of Wisconsin. Even after graduating, I wasn’t sure I wanted to become a lawyer.
My wife Vilena, who I met in college, is from Ukraine, so after we graduated we moved there together and I spent some time teaching English. After about a year, we decided that we both wanted to go into the legal field, and we moved back to the U.S. to attend the University of Minnesota Law School in Minneapolis.
During my time in law school, I represented low-income individuals from the Twin Cities in bankruptcy filings and proceedings. I became active in Minnesota Law’s Maynard Pirsig Moot Court program, and upon graduating cum laude, I also received the law school’s Civil Litigation Concentration certificate.
Prior to joining Nicolet Law Office as an attorney, I spent summers clerking at the firm. Despite receiving personalized job offers from local judges, I ultimately decided that I wanted to work with my brothers seeking justice and fighting for the people.
In my free time, I enjoy spending time with my wife and our new baby, as well as bicycling, traveling, and playing chess.
Ultimately, putting the client first is the most important part of the work we do. I am honored when clients are referred by past clients, doctors, lawyers, and even insurance agents from previous cases, and honored to be able to help the members of our community.
Education
- University of Minnesota Law School, Minneapolis, Minnesota
- Cum laude, Juris Doctor – 2017
- Civil Litigation Concentration
- University of Wisconsin, Eau Claire, WI
- B.S., Bachelor of Science – 2013
- Major: Criminal Justice
Bar Admissions
- Wisconsin, 2017
- Minnesota, 2018
- U.S. District Court Western District of Wisconsin, 2017
- U.S. District Court District of Minnesota, 2018
Accolades
- Rising Star, Super Lawyers
- Top 40 under 40, National Trial Lawyers
- Lawyer of Distinction – Personal Injury Law
- 10 out of 10 Lawyer Rating, Avvo.com
- Rising Star in the Field of Personal Injury Law, American Institute of Legal Advocates
- Top 10 Under 40, National Academy of Personal Injury Attorneys
Published Works
- Auto Insurance 101 – Know What’s In Your Policy, Nicolet Law Blog (July 24, 2019).
- Medical Payment Coverage In Your Auto Insurance Policy – What Is It And Do You Need It? Nicolet Law Blog (June 27, 2019).
- Purchasing a New Vehicle? Why You Should Consider Gap Insurance, Nicolet Law Blog (January 8, 2018).
- Parental Pitfalls in the Bankruptcy Code: Discharge Exception for Judgment Against Parent Based On Willful and Malicious Acts of Children, XXXVI AM. BANKR. INST. J. 10-11, 66-67 (August 2017) (with Christopher Soper)
- Statutory Interpretation Merry-Go-Round: Student Loan Cosigner Discharge Then, Now, and Later, XXXV AM. BANKR. INST. J. 22-23, 53 (August 2016) (with Christopher Soper)