May
22

Effective Expungements – Legislative Change for Expungements

For years, individuals previously convicted of certain low-level crimes (also evictions, juvenile matters, etc.) and their attorneys have expressed legitimate concerns about the limited effects of Minnesota expungements. Under a previous and somewhat controversial decision of the Minnesota Supreme Court, district courts considering expungements only had authority to seal or destroy judicial records, leaving related records maintained by non-judicial sources open and accessible. This meant that records at police departments, business screening services, the Bureau of Criminal Apprehension,...

May
22

The Name Game: Establishing and Terminating Parental Rights in Minnesota

Minnesota’s laws on the legitimacy and custody of children address the establishment of a parent and child relationship when the parents are not married.  Although a child may bear his biological father’s last name, this does not mean that the father is legally recognized or has any rights to the child if the child was born outside of marriage.  Similarly, a parent cannot change legal parentage of a child simply by changing the child’s to the mother’s last name or to a stepparent’s last name. 

When a child is born in a hospital to an unmarried mother, she has the option of...

May
20

Photo of Minnesota Women Lawyers Leadership Award Ceremony

David Wilson, Wilson Law Group's Managing Attorney, accepted Minnesota Women Lawyers' Leadership Award this past Monday.  Congratulations!

May
15

If You Received DACA in 2012, It Is Time to Renew!

If you were one of the first recipients to receive Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) in the fall of 2012, then your renewal date is rapidly approaching. 

DACA recipients, also known as “Dreamers,” have temporary relief from removal and qualify for work authorization for a two-year period.  At the end of the two-year period, DACA and work authorization will expire unless the recipient applies for renewal.  If you are not sure when your DACA expires, check your Employment Authorization Document (EAD) and your Form I-821D Approval Notice for the expiration date.

USCIS has...

May
13

Minnesota Women Lawyers Presents Leadership Award to WLG

Wilson Law Group is thrilled to announce that Minnesota Women Lawyers will be presenting WLG with its 2014 Leadership Award on May 19th.  Minnesota Women Lawyers established its Leadership Award to recognize legal employers throughout the state that strive to enhance the status, influence and effectiveness of women lawyers in their employ.

From the Award Nomination: “Wilson Law Group has been developing innovative ways to promote women in the legal profession and to facilitate a healthy work life balance for all staff members since the firm’s inception [in 2003]…Women are recruited...

May
12

WLG Attended the ILCM Gala

ILCM Gala

In addition to sponsoring the ILCM gala at the advocate level, WLG also attended the gala on May 9.  As you can see, our staff members enjoyed the event.  You may learn more about ILCM here.

May
9

WLG Accepts Excellence Award

On May 6, WLG proudly accepted a Small Business Excellence Award presented by the Small Business Administration. WLG was recognized for various reasons including our response to adversity, service to our community, growth, longevity and innovation of products and services. A big thank you to all WLG clients, past and present; without all of you, this award would not have been possible.

May
7

Do I Have the Right to Access my Personnel File?

A common question that arises after an individual separates from his or her employer is whether he or she has the right to access his or her personnel file.  The answer is often “Yes,” but exactly when, what, and how often varies between states.  A review of the states surrounding Minnesota reveals several subtlety different approaches.

North Dakota, for example, does not provide such a right to private employees.  It instead limits the right of access to state employees under North Dakota Century Code 54-06-21.  South Dakota is no different (see S.D. Cod. L. Ch. 3-6A-31).

Iowa...