Johnson, Killen & Seiler congratulates its attorneys selected in 2010 Minnesota Super Lawyers- Joesph J. Roby and  Robert J. Zallar (Employment & Labor), Nicholas Ostapenko (Professional Liability Defense),  John N. Nys, and the late Thomas A. Clure (Closely Held Business).

The Bankruptcy Section of the Minnesota State Bar Association recognized Attorney Joseph V. Ferguson for performing pro bono service to clients in Northeast Minnesota during 2009. The attorneys recognized for service were honored at a reception in Minneapolis on July 20, 2010.  Mr. Ferguson  is a Shareholder and Director in the law firm of Johnson, Killen & Seiler, P.A.

New officers were elected to the airport authority’s board of directors.  Robert Pearson was selected as Vice-President of the Duluth Airport Authority.

Thomas A. Clure passed away at his home on Sunday, May 23.

Born in 1938 to Arthur and Ruth Zauft Clure, he was a lifelong resident of Duluth.

He was a graduate of Duluth East High School, the University of Minnesota-Duluth, and the University of Minnesota Law School. Upon completing law school in 1963, he returned to Duluth, where he practiced continuously – chiefly in the areas of admiralty and business law – until the winter of 2010.

Throughout his life, Thomas was active in the broader community. Beginning in 1963, he spent eight years in the U.S. Coast Guard Reserves. He served on the Hermantown School Board (1969-71) and taught a course on business law at U.M.D. (1966-71). He was involved with the Minnesota State Bar Association, which included serving as president of the 11th District (1990-1). He was also a past president and board member of First Witness Child Abuse Resource Center and of the Lake Superior Marine Museum. From 1992-2010, he sat on the Board of Directors of the Pioneer National Bank of Duluth and, from 2001 until his death, he was a Commissioner on the Duluth Seaway Port Authority Board. For many years he was also a member of the Rotary Club 25, the Duluth Chamber of Commerce, and the Maritime Law Association of the United States. Thomas’ connections to his hometown and to the larger shipping world were of great personal importance to him.

Thomas is survived by his wife, Patricia; his children, Peter, Cynthia (Jeff) Noble, and Graham; and his grandsons, Benjamin and William Noble.

The Clure family would like to record a special thanks to Dr. Paul Sanford and to the staff at St. Luke’s Hospice.

Laura Weintraub was elected one of the greater Minnesota representatives to the Family Law Section of the Minnesota State Bar this May, 2010.

Joseph V. Ferguson

Attorney Joseph V. Ferguson  was elected Vice-Chair of the Minnesota Lawyers Professional Responsibility Board.  The LPRB oversees the discipline of lawyers in the State of Minnesota.  Members of the Board are appointed by the Supreme Court and serve 6 year terms.

Attorney Robert J. Zallar serves on the St. Luke’s Foundation, and the City of Duluth Civil Service Board.  Mr. Zallar is also the President of the Wildey H. Mitchell Family Foundation.

Atttorney Robert C. Pearson is on the Board for the Duluth Airport Authority where he currently serves as Vice President.

Attorney Joseph J. Roby, Jr.  is the Board Chair for the First Witness Child Abuse Resource Center.

Attorney Nicholas Ostapenko  serves as President of The Military Historical Society of Minnesota which works to preserve and interpret Minnesota’s military history.   Mr. Ostapenko is also on the Board and is Vice President of  the Kitchi Gammi Club of Duluth, MN.

Attorney Joseph V. Ferguson  serves on  the  MN Lawyers Professional Responsibility Board in both the LPRB Executive Committee and Rules Committees.   He also served on Eleventh DEC for 12 years, including 6 years as Chair.  Mr. Ferguson is on the St. Paul’s Episcopal Vestry Board as well.

Attorney Laura Weintraub serves as the Northeastern Chapter’s Liason to the State Board for Minnesota Women Lawyers, and is also President of the HDC Foundation Board.

Attorney Paul W. Wojciak is on the the Board for the 11th District Bar Association and the 11th District Ethics Committee.

Attorney Roy J. Christensen is currently on the  Board of Directors of the Lake Superior Zoological Society.

Attorney Jessica L. Durbin serves on the Board of Directors of the Duluth Regional Care Center, the Board of Trustees of the College of St. Scholastica, the College of St. Scholastica Pre-Law Advisory Board, and the Eleventh District Bar Association Ethics Committee. 

Attorney Diana B. Dodge  is involved with the Duluth Scottish Heritage Association as a dance instructor and Board member.

Attorney Michele L. Miller is a board member of the St. Louis County Historical Society.

Johnson, Killen & Seiler, P.A. has been recognized for their support during the United Way of Duluth 2010 campaign.   For the past several year’s, Johnson, Killen & Seiler, P.A has been  included in the  Top 25 Professional Groups based on total dollars raised in professional groups, as well as for the top 25 Employee Groups on employee per capita basis, and lastly for being in the Top 50 Campaigns for total dollars raised.  

Johnson, Killen & Seiler, P.A. is proud to support the United Way of Greater Duluth.

Johnson, Killen & Seiler Law Firm announced new Officers for 2010:

 Robert J. Zallar, Chair of the Board

Robert C. Pearson, President

Paul W. Wojciak, Secretary

Roy J. Christensen, Treasurer

Johnson, Killen & Seiler, P.A., announces that attorneys  Paul W. Wojciak, Roy J. Christensen, and Jessica L. Durbin were recognized as “Rising Stars” by “Minnesota Law & Politics” magazine.   Only five percent of Minnesota lawyers are awarded this honor each year.

Johnson, Killen & Seiler, P.A., announces that attorneys Thomas A. Clure,  John N. Nys, Robert C. Pearson, Robert J. Zallar, Joseph J. Roby, Jr. and, Nicholas Ostapenko have been names 2009 “Super Lawyers” by “Minnesota Law & Politics” magazine.  Paul W. Wojciak, Roy J. Christensen, and Jessica L. Durbin were also recognized as “Rising Stars”. Only five percent of Minnesota lawyers are awarded this honor each year.

Congratulations to Jessica Durbin who was recently named Trustee at the College of St. Scholastica.

Johnson, Killen & Seiler, P.A., was recently featured as one of the oldest law firms in Minnesota in the April/May 2009 publication of Minnesota Law & Politics

Joseph J. Roby, Jr. was named one of 2008’s Top 40 Employment Law Attorneys by Minnesota Super Lawyers.

Johnson, Killen & Seiler Law Firm announced new Officers for 2009:

John Nys, Chair of the Board

Nicholas Ostapenko, President

Paul Wojciak, Secretary

Roy Christensen, Treasurer

Additionally, the following were elected to Director status:

Richard J. Leighton who practices in the area of Civil Litigation

Jessica L. Durbin practices in the area of Labor and Employment Law

Jessica Durbin of Duluth receives First Young Alumni Achievement Award from The College of St. Scholastica.

Johnson, Killen & Seiler, P.A., announces that attorneys Thomas A. Clure, Steven J. Seiler, John N. Nys, Robert C. Pearson, Robert J. Zallar, Joseph J. Roby, Jr. and, Nicholas Ostapenko have been named 2008 “Super Lawyers” by “Minnesota Law & Politics” magazine. Diana B. Dodge, Paul W. Wojciak, Roy J. Christensen, and Jessica L. Durbin were also recognized as “Rising Stars”. Only five percent of Minnesota lawyers are awarded this honor each year.