D Patrick McCullough | Saint Paul Family Lawyer

Pat McCullough is a nationally recognized trial attorney, concentrating his expertise in the areas of personal injury and family law. He founded the law firm in 1971 after being admitted to the state and federal courts of Minnesota. Mr. McCullough has attained Martindale-Hubbell’s highest rating of A/V (very high to preeminent) ranking attorneys based on experience, ability and ethics. Pat is a member of the American College of Family Trial Lawyers, and has been named a Minnesota Super Lawyer by Minneapolis-St. Paul Magazine, Minnesota Business Monthly, and Minnesota Law and Politics, every year since the honor began. The same magazines have listed him as one of the top 100 lawyers in Minnesota and as one of the top 40 family law lawyers in Minnesota. Since the inception of the Minnesota Supreme Court’s Continuing Legal Education Program, Pat has helped formulate the program and to teach district court judges, referees, and magistrates. He is a frequent lecturer to other attorneys and is a contributing author to numerous legal publications. Pat is a Certified Civil Trial Specialist for Minnesota and on a National Level. Fewer than 3% of Minnesota lawyers attain this credential, and on the national level the percentage of lawyers with this honor is even smaller.

Lawyer.com Member Questionnaire

Please describe a case(s) in the last year or two where you made a big difference.
In a case of a 28 year marriage where I represented the wife, in addition to numerous issues including property settlement, child support, etc., the main issue was one relating to spousal maintenance. At the conclusion of the trial, the trial judge only ordered temporary spousal maintenance for a few years. I brought a motion to ask the court to amend the order and the court did amend the same, making the spousal maintenance award of $2,400 per month permanently. The case was appealed to the Court of Appeals by the husband's attorney, where the wife prevailed. The husband's attorney then requested the review by the Supreme Court in the State of Minnesota and the Supreme Court denied their request, and, therefore, the wife now has an Order of permanent spousal maintenance.

How did you build a successful practice?
a. I work very, very hard and still do, putting my client's interests first.
b. I joined almost every civic organization that I could.
c. I am always prepared, not only for a trial, depositions, etc., but know my client's file, their personalities, important issues for them, and never treat them like a number.
d. I do a lot of presenting at seminars for fellow attorneys and judges, and I also do a lot of publishing of legal articles in the area of Family Law.

What should clients look for in a lawyer?
One who works hard, keeps up with the changing laws, someone with experience, and most of all someone who really cares about the best interests and welfare of their clients as opposed to themselves.

How important is local knowledge to the success of your cases?
Knowing your judges, magistrates, and referees, as well as the opposing attorneys is key to any attorney's success in family law.

What information can you provide in a free phone consultation?
We have a really experienced paralegal who generally takes or makes the first phone call and who provides significant free information before the client ever comes into the office.

What information do you need in a free phone consultation?
Our office has a sophisticated "checklist" which pretty much covers a gamut of all issues that are important to any potential client, and the paralegal in our office obtains all that information before the client ever comes in to see an attorney.

What differentiates you from other lawyers in your community?
I am probably one of the most experienced attorneys in our area, having practiced for over 47 years. I am one of only 100 attorneys in the United States that have been accepted into the American College of Family Trial Lawyers. Because of my publications and significant seminar teachings of judges, referees, and attorneys, I believe I am quite well-known for my knowledge and experience, and also for my integrity and honesty with the court and opposing counsel.

What is the most rewarding aspect of your job?
I know it sounds trite, but the most rewarding aspect of my job is helping people achieve fair and reasonable results for themselves and their families.

What are your other interests in addition to law?
I was born and raised on a farm, and I still live on a farm in Minnesota, with a large ranch in New Mexico as well. In addition, I love to golf.

Are you involved in your community?
Yes, I have been involved in the community significantly over the years and have received numerous awards and recognition, including King of the St. Paul Winter Carnival. It is an organization that selects a leader from the business community every year to preside over a pageantry that has outreach, not only in St. Paul, but also throughout the state of Minnesota, United States, and Canada.

Position	Organization	Location	Duration
Attorney	McCullough Law		Present

School	Degree	Major	Graduation
William Mitchell College of Law	J.D.	Law School	1971
Bemidji State University	Bachelors		1967

State / Court	Date
Minnesota	1971

• Member, American Bar Association
  Member, Minnesota State Bar Association
  Member, Ramsey County Bar Association (Chair of Family Law Section 1989; Ethics Committee 1988-97
  Member, Washington County Bar Association
  Member, Minnesota Association of Mediators
  Member and Faculty, Judicial College Family Law Curriculum
  Member, Minnesota Association for Justice and American Association for Justice
  Board of Directors, Ramsey County Placement

• Listed in Best Lawyers in America
  Listed in all issues of Consumer Guidebook and Law & Leading Attorneys in Minnesota
  Chosen as Super Lawyer in every year of selection process

• www.mcculloughlawyers.com/blog

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