Our Firm

In 1908, Carl and Otto Baudler opened a law office in Austin, Minnesota. At the core of their practice, from the beginning, was a commitment to integrity, quality, and personalized service to their clients. These essential values are the foundation of our firm’s success and longevity, and that tradition continues today.

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The firm currently has eight attorneys who specialize in various areas and collectively provide comprehensive legal services to clients throughout south central and southeastern Minnesota.

We have and continue to successfully represent clients in the following areas (for further details on selected areas, please click on the “Practice Areas” tab):

Business Law:

We act as “general counsel” to numerous small and large businesses, advising our clients on issues including start-up of new companies, purchase and sale of an existing business, employment matters, trademarks, trade secrets, shareholder agreements, supply and sale agreements, loan agreements, and litigation, among others.

We take pride in our ability to provide quality legal counsel on every issue confronting our business clients today. Jeffrey M. Kritzer, former in-house counsel for Hormel Foods Corporation and a former retail manager, will offer tailored and practical counseling in all areas of business law.

Trademarks:

We have successfully registered numerous trademarks for our clients with the United States Patent and Trademark Office, and we can counsel you on how to protect your trademark rights, both before and after registration. Please contact Jeffrey M. Kritzer to discuss your trademark rights.

Commercial Litigation:

We have represented clients in a broad range of commercial disputes over the 100 year history of our firm. We have successfully pursued and defended lawsuits in matters involving shareholder disputes, supply and sale contracts, license agreements, equipment leases, real estate leases, warranty claims, trade secret misappropriation, insurance claims, and product liability, among others. Contact Thomas C. Baudler or Jeffrey M. Kritzer.

Employment Law:

One of our partners, Jeffrey M. Kritzer, is former in-house counsel for Hormel Foods Corporation in the area of employment and labor law. Mr. Kritzer regularly counsels and represents employers throughout southern Minnesota in all aspects of employment law, ranging from employee leaves of absence and wage and hour requirements to discrimination and sexual harassment claims.

Personal Injury:

All of our trial attorneys have earned the respect of insurance companies, judges, and juries. We will make sure you get the compensation you deserve, either by persuasively presenting your claim to the insurance company and negotiating a fair settlement or taking your case to trial.

Our litigation and trial team of Bryan J. Baudler, Lawrence E. Maus, Robert M. Maus, Thomas C. Baudler, and Jeffrey M. Kritzer has handled dozens of cases in state and federal court and will get you the compensation you deserve. There is no fee until you recover.

Family Law:

One of our partners, Thomas C. Baudler, has focused his practice for more than 20 years on all aspects of family law, including divorce, child custody and visitation, child support, spousal maintenance, and division of assets. In family law more than perhaps any other area, Mr. Baudler’s quality personalized service to his clients distinguishes him from the mass of attorneys practicing family law today. Family law disputes are some of the most stressful times in our clients’ lives, and Mr. Baudler and the other family law practitioners in our firm will be there for you every step of the way.

Estate Planning and Probate:

Our attorneys have extensive knowledge and experience in all aspects of estate planning and probate, from the simplest to the most complicated estates, including wills, health care declarations, revocable trusts, supplemental needs trusts, business succession planning, probate administration, estate tax, and litigation over trusts and estates. Contact David L. Forman, Bryan J. Baudler, Jeffrey M. Kritzer, or Kelly M. Wagner.

Elder Law:

Elder law has become a specialty area within estate planning, and one of our partners, David L. Forman, is an expert in the laws and regulations surrounding long-term care costs, financial planning, capacity and vulnerability issues, and other legal issues specific to the elderly.

Government and Municipal Law:

We are currently “general counsel” for numerous cities and townships throughout south central and southeastern Minnesota. We counsel city council members and township supervisors on every facet of governing, from ordinance drafting to special assessments. We also prosecute crimes for the cities we represent, and in that capacity we have prosecuted hundreds of contested hearings, court trials and jury trials. Contact Jeffrey M. Kritzer.

Commercial Real Estate:

Our attorneys have extensive experience in leases and the sale and purchase of commercial real estate. The best way to avoid disputes and litigation is to make sure that all the important points are covered in a lease or purchase agreement. Contact Robert M. Maus or Bryan J. Baudler.

Residential Real Estate:

We are the leading law firm in both Austin and Spring Valley in the area of residential real estate closings, largely due to our exceptional team of paralegals who provide prompt, first-class service to local buyers, sellers, real estate agents, and bankers. Contact Robert M. Maus, David L. Forman, or Bryan J. Baudler.

Bankruptcy:

When finances go bad, we can help you achieve a fresh start. Robert M. Maus, a partner in the firm, has extensive experience in all aspects of consumer bankruptcy filings.

Workers’ Compensation:

Your employer has attorneys and other professionals advising them on workers’ compensation issues, and if you have been injured on the job, you need an attorney in your corner, too. Robert M. Maus will make sure you get the compensation to which you are entitled under the law.

Social Security Disability:

Most social security disability claims are initially rejected by the Social Security Administration. Robert M. Maus will help you navigate through the bureaucratic red tape and get the benefits you deserve.

Criminal Defense:

One of our senior attorneys, Lawrence E. Maus, has built a career on providing an aggressive defense for his clients who have been accused of a crime, from the most serious felonies to DWIs to misdemeanor assaults.