MINNEAPOLIS, Mn. (July 10, 2025) — The Minnesota State Bar Association honored 18 Minnesota-based Lathrop GPM attorneys as 2024 North Star Lawyers, certifying these attorneys provided at least 50 hours of pro bono legal services in the past year to low-income individuals.
The Lathrop GPM 2024 North Star Lawyers for Minnesota are as follows:
- Lee Bennin
- Catie Bitzan Amundsen
- Sandra Bodeau
- Michael Cohen
- Brian Dillon
- Amy Erickson
- Michael Ewald
- Edward Fleming
- Susan Gaertner
- Christopher Harmoning
- Gaylen Knack
- Amanda Kruse
- Richard Landon
- Michaela Liesenberg
- Brandon Mickelsen
- Craig Miller
- Erika Mortensen
- Robin Swingley
Susan Gaertner was named a Pro Bono All-Star for having been named a North Star Lawyer for eight or more years. Six attorneys – Sandra Bodeau, Christopher Harmoning, Gaylen Knack, Michaela Liesenberg, Brandon Mickelsen and Erika Mortensen – were recognized for the first time.
This recognition is a reflection of our lawyers’ work on a variety of different projects, including representing survivors of domestic violence, asylum seekers, entrepreneurs, and many others. Lathrop GPM attorneys across the firm’s 14 offices provide pro bono counsel to numerous organizations and individuals in need of legal services.
Lathrop GPM considers pro bono legal services a professional responsibility and a community obligation of the firm. To learn more about the firm’s pro bono services and initiatives, visit https://www.lathropgpm.com/inclusion/commitment/.
The Minnesota State Bar Association recognized more than 800 North Star Lawyers in 2024. Together, the North Star Lawyers contributed more than 92,300 hours of service at an estimated value of $28 million for the past year. Each North Star Lawyer was certified to have provided at least 50 or more hours of legal service, as defined in Rule 6.1(a), (b)(1) and (b)(2) of the Rules of Professional Conduct, in the given calendar year. A complete list of all Minnesota North Star Lawyers, as well as additional information on the program, is available online at https://mnbars.org/northstar.