Hellmuth & Johnson PLLC

Origins and geographic reach

David Hellmuth and Chad Johnson founded the firm in 1994. Hellmuth & Johnson PLLC is based in Edina, Minnesota. The firm also has offices in Lakeville, Rochester, Tyler and Woodbury.

The office network gives the firm a presence in several Minnesota communities. Its work includes transactions, litigation and appeals. The site describes more than 25 legal practice areas within that structure.

Admissions across 16 states

The site lists attorney admissions in Arizona, California, Colorado, Illinois, Iowa, Minnesota, Missouri and New Jersey. It also names New York, North Dakota, Ohio, South Dakota, Tennessee, Virginia, Washington and Wisconsin. These admissions show the jurisdictions in which at least some of the firm's lawyers may practice.

Bar admission remains specific to each lawyer and matter. A client with an issue outside Minnesota should confirm which attorney holds the relevant license. Court admission rules may also apply in federal and appellate proceedings.

Focus and practice areas

The firm's stated work includes transactional matters, disputes and appellate proceedings. Its main listed areas are business, construction, family law, finance, litigation, real estate, and trusts and estates. In my opinion, this defined mix gives prospective clients a useful starting point when assessing the firm's scope.

Several of these fields can meet within a single matter. A construction dispute may raise contract, finance and real estate questions. A family law case may involve business interests, property values and estate planning documents.

Clients named on the site

The site says the firm represents individuals, start-ups and multinational Fortune 500 companies. That is a broad client base, with legal needs that can differ in scale and procedure. An individual may need advice on a personal dispute, while a company may require help with contracts, ownership or litigation.

Client type alone does not determine how a matter proceeds. The governing documents, parties, court and applicable law shape the work. The firm's list of departments indicates access to lawyers working across several connected subjects.

How civil litigation usually proceeds

A civil lawsuit commonly begins when a plaintiff files a complaint and the defendant submits an answer or another response. Those pleadings identify the claims, defenses and requested relief. The court then sets deadlines that guide the case.

Discovery allows the parties to request records, exchange written questions and take depositions. Business records, contracts, messages and financial documents may become central evidence. Lawyers may also work with witnesses whose knowledge helps explain disputed events.

Motions ask a judge to decide legal or procedural issues. Some motions concern evidence or deadlines, while others seek judgment on part or all of a claim. Settlement discussions or mediation may occur during the case, and unresolved claims may proceed to a judge or jury.

What changes on appeal

An appeal usually focuses on the existing court record and claimed legal errors. Appellate lawyers study rulings, transcripts, exhibits and preserved objections. They present their positions through written briefs and, in some cases, oral argument.

An appellate court applies set standards when reviewing the lower court's decisions. It may affirm a ruling, reverse it or return the matter for further proceedings. The firm's site expressly includes appeals within its work.

Business, property and planning work

Business law often concerns company formation, ownership terms, governance and contracts. Transactional documents set duties before a dispute arises. When parties disagree about those duties, the same records may guide negotiations or litigation.

Finance matters commonly involve loan terms, collateral, , covenants and closing conditions. Each party needs to understand the documents and the events that may trigger added duties. Financial records can also affect valuation questions in business and family cases.

Construction and real estate matters

Construction projects depend on contracts that define scope, payment, schedules and change procedures. Disputes may concern unpaid invoices, delays, workmanship or responsibility for added costs. Project contracts, notices, plans and payment records often shape the parties' positions.

Real estate work may involve purchase agreements, leases, title records, financing documents and land use rules. Due diligence can reveal restrictions or obligations before a transaction closes. Disputes may call for negotiation, motion practice or trial, depending on the facts and governing documents.

Trusts and estates

Trusts and estates work often includes wills, trusts, powers of attorney and health care directives. These documents record decisions about property and personal authority. Clear drafting can help family members and fiduciaries understand their roles.

Estate administration begins after a death and may involve court filings, asset collection, creditor issues and distribution. Trustees and personal representatives have duties defined by documents and state law. Disagreements can lead to contested proceedings over interpretation, authority or asset handling.

Family law and a named associate

Alexis N. Rohach is an associate in the firm's Family Law practice group. She represents clients in family law matters. The site also identifies her prior work as a Judicial Law Clerk.

Family cases may address divorce, parenting arrangements, support and division of property. Courts rely on financial disclosures, sworn statements and other records when deciding contested questions. Negotiated agreements can resolve some issues, while a judge decides the remaining disputes.

Complex financial questions may require close review of income, accounts, property and business interests. Rohach's profile states that her finance background applies to cases involving such issues. That connection is useful because family law decisions can depend on accurate financial information.

Education and court admission

Rohach earned her J.D. from the University of St. Thomas School of Law. She also holds a B.S. in Finance from North Dakota State University. The site lists her admission to Minnesota state courts.

Judicial clerkship experience can provide direct exposure to court procedure, written submissions and judicial decision-making. Her listed education combines legal study with formal finance training. The firm identifies her role as associate.

Firm size, headquarters and community activity

The site reports more than 70 lawyers and places Hellmuth & Johnson among Minnesota law firms ranked first through fifteenth by lawyer count. Those statements describe a sizeable team working across the firm's listed departments. The available attorney material specifically identifies Rohach and her family law role.

The Edina headquarters occupies a five-story building with 45,000 square feet. DJR Architecture designed the building.Finance & Commerce magazine recognized it as a project award recipient in 2010.

The firm also runs the H&J Foundation. According to the site, the foundation gives back to communities where the firm has worked. The firm's stated office locations are Edina, Lakeville, Rochester, Tyler and Woodbury.