Minnesota is one of only a few states in the country that uses volunteers to help investigate complaints against lawyers. Each DEC consists of a chair appointed by the Court and other volunteer members. DEC members other than the chair may serve a series of three-year terms up to a total of 12 years. Importantly, public members (non-lawyers) fill at least 20 percent of DEC seats, and lawyers may fill up to 80 percent of DEC seats.
There are 21 district ethics committees throughout Minnesota and more than 250 DEC volunteers. The DECs investigate the complaints, and review investigation results at committee meetings. Most DECs vote as a committee on the report and recommendation to the Director. DEC recommendations are not final or binding, and the OLPR reviews each recommendation before making a final determination. Many DEC investigations
are completed, and a final determination is issued by the Director, in 6-7 months, but this is an average and some investigations can take longer.
If you are interested in volunteering, visit Volunteer Opportunities. To find your district, scroll to the bottom of this page for a map that shows which Minnesota counties are in which districts.
Michelle F. Horn, Chair
860 Blue Gentian Road, Suite 200
Eagan, MN 55121
(612) 351-2322
michelle@hornfamilylaw.net
Appt. October 23, 2020
Term expires October 23, 2026
Deanna N. Natoli, Liaison Chair
Gregory J. Egan, IV, Chair
445 Minnesota Street, Suite 2000
St. Paul, MN 55101
(651) 352-2613
greg.egan@pubdef.state.mn.us
Appt. December 24, 2024
Term expires December 24, 2030
Catherine “Katie” Lavigne, Vice Chair
60 South Sixth Street, Suite 3620
Minneapolis, MN 55402
(651) 302-8123
katie.lavigne@quarles.com
Caitlin Guilford, Liaison
Michael E. Flaherty, Chair
111 Riverfront, Suite 306
Winona, MN 55987
(507) 205-4905
meflaherty@flaherty-hood.com
Appt. January 12, 2025
Term expires January 12, 2031
Binh T. Tuong, Liaison
Corinne Ivanca, Chair
Mail Route 10905
2925 Chicago Avenue
Minneapolis, MN 55407-1321
(612) 201-0148 Cell
(612) 262-0054 Office
Corinne.Ivanca@allina.com
Appt. November 30, 2021
Term expires November 30, 2027
Joel Van Nurden, Co-Vice Chair
9800 Bren Road East, Suite 290
Hopkins, MN 55343
(612) 455-8945
joel@vannurdenlaw.com
Eric Bain, Co-Vice Chair
3201 Hennepin Avenue South
Minneapolis, MN 55408
(612) 206-3767
ebain@ericbainlaw.com
Karin K. Ciano, Liaison
Alan B. Goldfarb, Co-Liaison
B. Steven Messick, Chair
7595 Currell Boulevard, #251444
Woodbury, MN 55125
(651) 505-0085
steve@messicklaw.com
Appt. June 28, 2022
Term expires June 28, 2028
Joanna Labastida, Liaison
Renee C. Rubish, Chair
151 Saint Andrews Court
Building 1010
Mankato, MN 56001
(507) 625-6600
rrubish@mrr-law.com
Appt. April 27, 2022
Term expires April 27, 2028
Krista D. Barrie, Liaison
Christopher A. Wills, Chair
4140 Thielman Lane, Suite 110
P.O. Box 7456
St. Cloud, MN 56302-7456
(320) 251-1055
chris@rgp.law
Appt. December 23, 2024
Term expires December 23, 2030
Joanna Labastida, Liaison
Robert C. Whipps, Chair
65 South Park Avenue
Le Center, MN 56057
(507) 357-2278
rwhipps@co.le-sueur.mn.us
Appt. September 30, 2024
Term expires September 30, 2030
Amanda L. Siefman, Liaison
Dean Zimmerli, Interim Chair
2700 South Broadway
P.O. Box 458
New Ulm, MN 56073
(507) 233-0376
dzimmerli@gislason.com
Krista D. Barrie, Liaison
Abigail Ehret, Chair
411 South Broadway
Albert Lea, MN 56007
(507) 377-5192 Work
(320) 237-4235 Cell
abigail.ehret@co.freeborn.mn.us
Appt. February 16, 2023
Term expires February 16, 2029
Krista D. Barrie, Liaison
Mia E. Thibodeau, Chair
302 West Superior Street
Suite 700
Duluth, MN 55802
(218) 722-0861
mthibodeau@fryberger.com
Appt. June 28, 2022
Term expires June 28, 2028
Deanna N. Natoli, Liaison
Kristine A. Peterson-Lahr, Chair
P.O. Box 1123
Willmar, MN 56201
(320) 262-3915
krispeterson@anderlawmn.com
Appt. January 29, 2025
Term expires January 29, 2031
Amanda L. Siefman, Liaison
Braden M. Hoefert, Chair
1530 Airport Road, Suite 400
Worthington, MN 56187
(507) 295-5298
bhoefert@co.nobles.mn.us
Appt. September 24, 2020
Term expires September 24, 2026
Jennifer M. Novak, Liaison
Stephen D. Larson, Chair
201 N. Broadway, Suite 2
Crookston, MN 56716
(218) 281-4168
slarson@nwmnlaw.com
Appt. December 23, 2024
Term expires December 23, 2030
Amanda L. Siefman, Liaison
Open
Jennifer M. Novak, Liaison
Neil T. Nelson, Chair
605 South Lakeshore Drive
Suite 100
Glenwood, MN 56334
(320) 634-4581
neil@onlawmn.com
Appt. April 1, 2021
Term expires April 1, 2027
Jennifer M. Novak, Liaison
Ashley J.P. Schmit, Chair
410 Springfield Parkway
Jackson, MN 56143
(507) 847-3239
ashley@focusedlawfirm.com
Appt. March 28, 2024
Term expires March 28, 2030
Amanda L. Siefman, Liaison
Greg T. Kryzer, Chair
Wright County Government Center
3560 Braddock Avenue N.E., Suite 3200
Buffalo, MN 55313
(763) 682-7377
greg.kryzer@co.wright.mn.us
Appt. June 26, 2025
Term expires June 26, 2031
Joseph Ambroson, Liaison
Lindsey O’Connell, Chair
2109 County Rd D East
Maplewood, MN 55109
(651) 771-0050
lindsey@tuftlaw.com
Appt. March 3, 2025
Term expires March 3, 2031
Jennifer M. Novak, Liaison
Hannah Casey Forti, Chair
1932 Second Avenue East, Suite 2
Hibbing, MN 55746
(218) 262-6601
hannah@prebichlaw.com
Appt. April 22, 2021
Term expires April 22, 2027
Deanna N. Natoli, Liaison
Kelsey R. Kelley, Chair
2100 Third Avenue, Suite 720
Anoka, MN 55303
(763) 324-5444
Kelsey.Kelley@anokacountymn.gov
Appt. December 23, 2024
Term expires December 23, 2030
Joseph Ambroson, Liaison
