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Downtown Northfield: good for law firms. Photography studios? Not so much.

former Ali Hohn Photography studio former Hoffman's Photography studio former Stone Cottage Photo location Green LightHouse studio
I noticed this week that the downtown storefront for Ali Hohn Photography is empty.  A month ago, Northfield Patch did a story titled Hoffman’s Photography Closed? It’s been a while but Stone Cottage Photo had a studio on Bridge Square. I’m not sure what’s happening with Green LightHouse on Division above Champion Sports but their website is dead. And Harmon’s Photography in the lower level of the Nutting Block has disappeared.

Hero, Jorstad & Jacobsen Reppe Law Office  James J. Schlichting and Fossum Law Office
Meanwhile, law firms have been picking up the slack. Hero, Jorstad & Jacobsen has moved into the former Northfield Insurance location at 507 Division, right across the street from the Reppe Law Office. And James J. Schlichting and Fossum Law Office are now officing in back of the Just Food Co-op building.

Other law firms located downtown:  Lampe Law Group, Grundhoefer & LudescherFrago & Lasswell, Hvistendahl, Moersch, Dorsey & Hahn, Schmitz, Ophaug and Dowd, Arnold Law and Mediation. (Have I missed any?)

Why are law firms thriving downtown but not photography studios?

Bob Lampe, Battle of the Bulge veteran, still fighting

I got this email a couple weeks ago from Helen Albers after she saw my blog post of Memorial Day ceremony photos.

Special thanks for including photos of our friend, Bob Lampe, a soldier who went through hell in WW ll. How many times Lampe told me about the horrors of the Battle of the Bulge. He is in very poor health nowadays, as you know, so it was endearing to see the proud old soldier, one who surely deserves our honor and gratitude.

Bob Lampe and Pete Grossman, Memorial Day 2011 Bob Lampe and Pete Grossman, Memorial Day 2011 Pete Grossman and Bob Lampe, Memorial Day 2011 Pete Grossman and Bob Lampe, Memorial Day 2011 
I confirmed with Veterans Of Foreign Wars Post 4393 Commander Bill Murphy that it was Pete Grossman with Bob Lampe in the series of photos.  I also spoke with Bob’s son Robbie Lampe and his wife Lynne Lampe who are staying with Bob at his house here in Northfield.

Bob Lampe has practiced law in Northfield since 1951. See the Lampe Law Group’s history page, as well as the Hvistendahl, Moersch, Dorsey & Hahn history page for more.

See also the Wikipedia entry on the Battle of the Bulge: "For the Americans, with about 500,000 to 840,000 men committed and some 70,000 to 89,000 casualties, including 19,000 killed, the Battle of the Bulge was the largest and bloodiest battle that they fought in World War II."

I’m trying to find a copy of an article about Bob’s WW II experiences that appeared in a regional publication a couple of years ago.   I’ll post it here when I find it.

The Marcus Welby of law

Growing up in North Dakota during the 50s and 60s, I was privileged to experience something that’s all too rare now – the old-fashioned family doctor. “Doc” delivered babies, set broken bones, treated pneumonia, and helped Grandpa with his newfangled hearing aid. Doc knew the community, the families, and the individuals whose basic medical needs he treated from birth through the end of life. Some of you who grew up in that time, and perhaps in smaller communities, may remember a Doc of your own.

Just as Doc diagnosed and treated all sorts of ailments, our firm strives to “treat” all of your legal needs, large and small. We value working with our clients and their families, addressing their needs through all stages of life. The Lampe Law Group, though changing hands from time to time, has served clients in the same location for over 130 years. That has been possible because of our strong commitment and dedication to the community and to our clients.

Here are just a few examples of the ways in which we’d like to help:

  • Adoption – We make the process smooth and effortless, so you can focus on the joy of bringing a new addition into your family.
  • Buying or Selling Your Home – There are strict disclosure laws which apply to residential sales. Whether you’re buying or selling your home, the last thing you need is for that sale to result in a lawsuit. Let us help make sure your sale complies with the law, and that it closes smoothly with no unpleasant surprises.
  • DUI and Traffic Charges – It can happen to anyone. When it does, we can take the fear and anxiety out of the process and help you achieve the best result possible.
  • Criminal Defense – Northfield is a college town. Sometimes student hijinks take a turn no one anticipated; we can help. ‘Nuff said.
  • Divorce – We recognize there are no winners in divorce cases. That’s why our firm has been a pioneer in the effort to promote collaborative divorce where no one goes to court and the focus is on children, fairness, and maintaining family relationships.
  • Bankruptcy and Financial Planning – At some point in their lives, almost everyone experiences times of financial difficulty and stress. Don’t go it alone. We can help. A lot.
  • Employment Issues – Many problems between employers and employees, or contractors and subcontractors, arise from misunderstandings as to what each side expects. We can draft or review contracts in order to help eliminate those misunderstandings.
  • Social Security Disability – Physical disability coupled with loss of earning ability is one of the most difficult circumstances anyone can confront. We know the Social Security system, and we can help you get badly needed benefits as quickly as possible.
  • Wills and Estate Planning – Whether you’re young or old, YOU should make the decision regarding what happens to your children and your property after you’re gone. Don’t leave these critical decisions to the Court, the State, or anyone else.
  • Litigation – Getting sued creates an instant crisis for businesses and individuals. We have years of experience in trying lawsuits; we’ll take charge of your lawsuit quickly and efficiently. The best settlements in lawsuits are achieved when the other side knows you’re prepared to go to trial. We are.

These are only some of the most common legal needs people have through the course of their lives. Our ability to provide a broad range of legal services to clients of all ages and from all walks of life results in the best possible service to our clients for the most reasonable cost. That is the commitment we make to everyone who comes in our door. We’d like to be your “family lawyer”. C’mon in.

More public art on Fifth Street | Lampe Law Office

Art.Org and the Lampe Law Group have announced the “Five Sculpture Project“, in which works of art would be displayed on the pedestal in front of the Law Office at 105 East 5th Street (across from the Rueb ‘N’ Stein).

ArtOrg is bringing together five artists that will create large works in an activity we call the “Five Sculpture Project”. The five sculptures will be exhibited at the pedestal in front of the Lampe Law Group in downtown Northfield, Minnesota. The projected public unveiling of the project will be in the fall of 2010, and thereafter each sculpture will be on display for a period of ten weeks each, or a total “Five Sculpture” display period of one year.

Since late 2008, the Lampe Law Office pedestal has displayed the Mac Gimse work entitled “Between Earth and Sky“.  Both the Five Sculpture Project and Art.Org have received partial funding through the Southeastern Minnesota Arts Council through the Minnesota arts and cultural heritage fund via the Clean Water, Land, and Legacy Amendment which was adopted after State referendum in November 2008.  (The firm also makes a monthly donation to help fund this public art project.)

The partners at Lampe Law Group (Lance Heisler, Tim Morisette, and Maren Swanson) are all very enthusiastic about this project, and are looking forward to the installation of a new work later in the year.

And, in an editorial comment, and with my “civic booster” hat on, I want to hand it to the Lampe Law Group for their direct support of public art and the Northfield arts community via their donation of money and of prominent display space. Thank you!

Happy New Year! BUT...

This isn’t exactly a public service announcement, but it never hurts to be reminded: Attorney Tim Morisette has posted some DUI cautions (something to keep in mind all the time, but which may be particularly relevant over the next few days).

We all know that “stuff happens”.  If it happens to you, call LampeLaw at 507-663-1211.  They can help.

Wishing you a safe and happy New Year!

Got law?

Lampe Law GroupI brought a large pitcher of Kool-Aid over to the Lampe Law office a couple of months ago, and ever since, they’ve demonstrated a new enthusiasm for jumping into the social media/blogging pool.  In addition to the firm’s new forays onto Facebook and Twitter, the partners (Lance Heisler, Tim Morisette, and Maren Swanson) have started blogging by writing  informational posts on various legal topics.

I’d like to help them make their content even more useful by getting input from LoGro and the Northfield area community.  I began by asking Griff for feedback, and his answer–you could have predicted it–was “needs more fluff”.  Well, okay, I can work with that.  Meanwhile, for all you people of substance, are there general legal questions or issues you’d like to understand better? Do you have any suggestions for post topics? Or would you rather just see pictures of lawyers making fun of themselves?

For example, I asked Lance yesterday why someone should use a lawyer to draft documents for a business formation rather than just using boilerplate from the internet and paying the State’s fee. He had a pretty good answer for that. So, that’s a topic one of them will be blogging about soon.

Traffic court? The litigation process? Why a statute doesn’t necessarily mean what you think it means?  The kinds of things I think might be interesting or informative may be complete clunkers. If you can provide ideas by simply telling me the questions that have crossed your minds, or circumstances you’ve run into that could have been improved by more or better legal information, now’s your chance. There’s no doubt that such information could benefit others facing similar situations.

Understand, of course, that Tim’s, Lance’s, and Maren’s posts are not considered legal advice.  (They made me say that.)  And yes, I am getting paid for helping them with this. And they did pay for a Premium Plus level LG membership.

All that being said, the partners and I welcome your suggestions, so I hope I get some here!

City attorney contract selection process detailed

attorneys Pages 15-22 of Monday’s Northfield City Council meeting and work session packet (PDF) includes details on the process used by the Selection Committee in recent months. See also the Sat. Nfld News: Swanson’s letter to city isn’t swaying mayor’s opinion.

I’ve copy/pasted the text from pages 18-22 here to make it easier to reference for discussion.  I’ve turned off comments here. Continue the discussion on our Sept. blog post, What’s up with the City Attorney selection process? (continued)

Continue reading City attorney contract selection process detailed

Carl Arnold opens his own law practice

Carl Arnold,

Attorney Carl Arnold, formerly with the Lampe Law Group, has opened Arnold Law and Mediation LLC, leasing space in the Reppe Law Office at 5th and Division. Carl continues to post to his family law blog, the Always Family Center.