Vincent P. Martin heads the Immigration Practice Group at Martin Law. As an immigrant himself, he has a personal appreciation for both the benefits of being a U.S. citizen, as well as, the legal process of acquiring lawful immigration status in the United States. Vincent represents employers, business personnel, and investors with work visas, families seeking to sponsor other family members for permanent resident green card status, students, asylees, and those facing deportation with all areas of immigration law. Vincent has helped countless clients with work visas, family visas, and deportation defense. Prior to forming Martin Law, Vincent was the lead immigration attorney at one of the top 50 largest law firms in Minnesota. Vincent has articles published in Hearsay, Gaming and Leisure Magazine, The Defender, Directions Magazine, The He Moi, among others. He is a sought after source for local news outlets when issues of business and family immigration issues arise, such as being interviewed as an Immigration Expert by Fox Business - John Stossel Show, by the Arizona Republic newspaper, and by the Star Tribune newspaper. Vincent was also selected as a Super Lawyer, Rising Star by Minnesota Law & Politics on multiple occasions. No more than 2.5% of Minnesota lawyers are named to the Rising Stars list.

As your attorney it is my goal to be your advocate through the complex and fearful legal process. During this time you expect your attorney to be an advocate and keep you informed on every necessary step. You expect your questions answered and expect an understandable explanation of the procedures necessary. You also expect your telephone calls to be returned in a timely manner and aggressive representation on your behalf. Our law firm understands what you’re going through. The confusion, the pressure and the threat of losing everything from your freedom to your job, to your children or even your ability to drive a car. Our law firm focuses exclusively on criminal defense cases and understands the Minnesota court system.

My focus is family law, and my approach is focused on helping clients navigate the complex and emotional experience of family law issues including divorce, determining parenting time, child custody and support, dividing property, and deciding alimony. My goal is always the best possible outcome given my client’s objectives. I also seek to minimize the negative emotional and economic impact of the divorce process on children within the family system. (Studies have shown that children in high conflict divorces do not do as well later in life, as the children in low conflict divorces.) While I am a fierce advocate for my clients, I never deliberately fan the flames of conflict and anger that may hinder the process of resolving the case or that eventually have a harmful effect on the children. I guide my clients through every step of the divorce process, from filing the initial petition, preparing for and attending mediation, participating in settlement conferences, and if necessary, preparing and appearing for trial. While most of my cases settle out of court, I have the experience to manage your case through a full-blown divorce trial. My trial experience in divorce, includes the establishment of child custody and parenting time, child support, spousal maintenance/alimony, and the division of marital property. I have also litigated modification of child custody and parenting time for marital and non-marital children, modification of child support, enforcement of orders for spousal maintenance and child support, third party and grandparent custody and visitation, orders for protection, and harassment restraining orders. Prior to becoming an attorney, I owned a small business, and I draw on that experience to negotiate fair and equitable property settlements, parenting plans, and even prenuptial agreements that help protect the rights and assets of soon to become newlyweds.

Nickell Law Firm was founded in 2014 with a mission to provide the best client service to criminal defendants and personal injury clients. We strive to make a positive difference in our client’s lives, giving them a second chance for a better tomorrow. Whether accused of a crime or injured in an accident, we do everything we can to make sure that our clients are not limited in their future prospects. Lead Attorney Elliott Nickell lives with his wife in Saint Paul, MN, their chosen home. In his spare time, Elliott enjoys sailing, cooking, and spending time with friends.

Max Keller is the founding partner at Keller Criminal Defense Attorneys. He focuses his practice on defending clients facing criminal charges, including DWI, sex crimes, drug crimes, and probation violations. After graduating from law school in Washington, D.C., Max Keller clerked for three judges at the Minnesota Court of Appeals, which allowed him to study many briefs and see many oral arguments. Mr. Keller then prosecuted DWI’s in the Attorney General’s Office for about five years, including handling many appeals. In 2003, Max left the Attorney General’s Office to go into private practice. He worked as a part-time public defender in Southwestern Minnesota for the first year and half after leaving government service, as well as having a busy private law firm representing individuals in criminal, bankruptcy, immigration, and family law matters. Since 2004 he has focused his firm exclusively on criminal defense. Max strives to obtain dismissal of charges or reduced charges. In fact, he has been able to obtain dismissals of charges ranging from felony criminal sexual conduct to misdemeanor DWI before trial. In addition, he has tried jury trials in areas across the state from Nobles County to Martin County, Ramsey County, Dakota County, Cass County and Hennepin County. He has won jury trial cases in misdemeanor and felony cases and in DWI’s and non-DWI’s. He is a member of the Minnesota Society for Criminal Justice, which only allows the top 50 criminal defense attorneys in the state as members. He is a frequent speaker at CLE’s and is often asked for advice by other defense attorneys across Minnesota.

Jim Lindell has specialized in civil litigation during his entire career and is certified as a Civil Trial Specialist by the Minnesota State Bar Association. Mr. Lindell has been voted a Super Lawyer® in the areas of personal injury and workers' compensation in annual polls of Minnesota lawyers conducted by Minnesota Law & Politics and Mpls/St. Paul magazine. Jim was invited to membership in the American Society of Legal Advocates, and in 2012 was named Attorney of the Year by The Minnesota Lawyer. He practices in both Minnesota and Wisconsin. Jim is a native of Litchfield, Minnesota. Contributing to his effectiveness in his practice is his broad scope of work experience, including: United States Army, 1st Lt. 1966-1969 Management positions in federal and state government Staff aide to the governor of Minnesota Construction Firefighting (smoke jumping) for the U.S. Forest Service Life-long interest in flying, private pilot license since 1985. Mr. Lindell is highly regarded by both clients and fellow attorneys. He enjoys a busy workers' compensation and personal injury practice and receives numerous referrals of those cases from attorneys in other specialties. He is active in the Academy of Certified Trial Lawyers of Minnesota and has served as a board member, officer and dean of that organization. Lindell is rated "a.v." by Martindale Hubble - the highest rating of competence and ethics available. He is also a qualified neutral arbitrator and mediator. When Jim is not practicing law, he is challenging himself anew. Working on his Wisconsin cabin (which he built from the ground up with his dad), learning to speak Russian, and learning to play the piano are his most recent endeavors. Besides the firm's main office in downtown Minneapolis, Jim maintains an office at his lake home in Webb Lake, Wisconsin.

Todd Gardner began his professional life as a middle school teacher but opted to go to law school in his mid-twenties. During his time in law school, he clerked in the contracts department at Wells Fargo during the merger with Norwest Bank, clerked for five judges in the Minnesota Office of Administrative Hearings Workers' Compensation Division, and interned with a Hennepin County District Court judge. Following law school, he began working in a Minneapolis small firm representing injured workers and injured persons and later experienced representing insurance companies with a medium-sized law firm in St. Paul. In 2002, he left defending insurance companies and opened Gardner Law Office, LLC, focusing on serving the needs of the injured. With over 20 years of legal experience, Todd is personable and easy to talk to, but will always fight aggressively and ethically for his clients. At Gardner Law Office, we don't get paid unless our clients get paid.

Michael A. Essien is a Principal and Counsel with the Essien Law Office, practicing intellectual property law with a focus on patents, trademarks, copyrights, and e-commerce. Mr. Essien’s background includes both corporate and law firm experience. He is a patent attorney and supports his clients’ needs for patents, trademarks, opinions, copyrights, strategic planning, e-commerce, technology transfer agreements and client counseling regarding corporate and intellectual property protection. He is an international intellectual property consultant supporting research institutions in Africa. Mr. Essien supports businesses in entity formation and selection, agreements and licensing issues, including litigation management. He also supports several non-profit organizations as their legal counsel, assisting them on legal issues, including organization and IRS recognition. Mr. Essien is admitted to practice in the State of Minnesota, before the United States Patent and Trademark Office, and is a member of Ramsey County Bar Association, Hennepin County Bar Association, Minnesota State Bar Association, American Bar Association, American Intellectual Property Law Association, Minnesota Intellectual Property Law Association and the Minnesota Association of Black Lawyers. He frequently speaks on Intellectual Property Law and related issues and is an Adjunct Professor at Concordia and Strayer Universities. Prior to entering the practice of law, Mr. Essien worked for several years as a quality, process and new product development engineer at 3M. He is a named inventor on two issued US patents. He has extensive experience in adhesives, film technology, process engineering and start-ups. Mr. Essien received his Bachelor of Science in Chemical Engineering from the University of Oklahoma in Norman, Oklahoma. His J.D. is from William Mitchell College of Law where he was a member of the Law Review. Mr. Essien was the recipient of the William Mitchell Alumni Association Student Award of Merit for exceptional contributions to the College. He volunteers with several organizations, is a board member of VOOM Foundation and Books for Africa and President of Association of Nigerian Engineers in Minnesota (ANEM).

Sunday has been licensed attorney in Minnesota since 2013. She brings a wealth of experience and passion for family law. She is a skilled litigator who also has extensive experience as a mediator. Sunday skillfully handles a diverse range of family law matters, including divorce (child-related issues, spousal support, real estate, asset & debt division, complex financial issues, amicable divorce), custody, parenting time, child support, grandparent visitation, paternity, adoption, legal separation, prenuptial agreements and modifications. She is dedicated to a client-centered approach, making herself available to alleviate client stress and ensure comprehensive support through awareness and understanding. Sunday's ability to empathize and connect with clients enhances her effectiveness as an attorney. Her positivity is contagious, making her a favorite among both clients and colleagues.