Attorney Jessica Maher, Walling, Berg & Debele, P.A., Minneapolis, Minnesota

Adoption

Marriage Dissolution / Divorce

Custody and Third Party Custody

Paternity

Parenting Access

Domestic Abuse and Harassment

Juvenile Delinquency

Child in Need of
Protection or Services (CHIPS)

ARTS / Surrogacy
Agreements

Mediation-Juvenile and Family Law

Antenuptial, Postnuptial, and Cohabitation Agreements

Licensing Board Issues

Minnesota Tribal Court Family Law

Appellate Practice

Estate Planning and Wills

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Jessica J. Maher
Minneapolis, Minnesota

Senior Associate, since 2005 Associate Attorney
phone	(612) 335-4291 (Direct)
fax	612-340-1154
email	Jessica.Maher@wbdlaw.com

Experienced in all areas of family law, including contested and non-contested adoption matters; interstate and complex adoption matters; third party custody and/or visitation matters; appellate practice including the Court of Appeals and Minnesota Supreme Court; dissolution; paternity and juvenile court issues.

Year Joined Organization:: 2000

Areas of Practice:: Adoption; Appeals; Custody; Juvenile; Marital Dissolution; Paternity

Bar Admissions:: Minnesota, 1999

Education:: University of Minnesota Law School, Minneapolis, Minnesota, 1999
Juris Doctor
Honors: Cum Laude
Honors: Dean's List With An A Average, 1998 - 99 and 1997 - 98
Honors: National Moot Court, Administrative Director 1998 - 99, Member 1997 - 98
Honors: Legal Writing Student Instructor
Honors: Honor Code Council Representative
Honors: Kennth and Lilliam Smith Scholarship
Honors: Judicial Externship with The Hon. Gary Larson (4th Judicial Dist.); Minnesota State University, Mankato, MN, USA, 1996
Bachelor of Arts
Honors: Summa Cum Laude
Honors: Who's Who in American Colleges and Universities 1995-96
Honors: Honors Program, University Scholar Designation
Major: History

Published Works:: Birth Father's Rights in Adoption: A Minnesota Perspective (Co-Author with Wright S. Walling, Esq.), Minnesota Institute of Legal Education Seminar, 2003; Editor, Family Law Issue, The Hennepin Lawyer, May, 2007

Representative Cases:: Heidbreder v. Carton, 645 N.W.2d 355 (Minn. 2002); In the Matter of the Petition of T.D. and J.D. to Adopt N.T.K., and B.L.W. as mother and natural guardian of D.J.F., a minor, and D.J. F., individually, v. A.K., as mother and natural guardian of J.M.K., a minor, and J.M.K. individually, 677 N.W.2d 110 (Minn. Ct. App. 2004); In re the Welfare of the Children of J.L.H., 2005 WL 3470525 (Minn. Ct. App. 2005); Zeidler v. Zeidler, 2004 WL 1326778 (Minn. Ct. App. 2004); Brennan v. Braun, 2003 WL 21694157 (Minn. Ct. App. 2003); Sundbloom v. Keul, 2002 WL 1613866 ( 2002)

Classes/Seminars Taught:: Birth Father's Rights in Adoption: A Minnesota Perspective, MILE, February 19, 2003 - Present; Teaching Assistant to Wright S. Walling, Esq., Adjunct Prof. for Adoption Law Class, University of St. Thomas School of Law, January 1, 2006 - May 1, 2006; Teaching Assistant to Wright S. Walling, Esq., Adjunct Prof. for Adoption Law Class, University of St. Thomas School of Law, January 1, 2007 - May 1, 2007

Honors and Awards:: L&P Rising Star, 2005

Professional Associations and Memberships:: American Academy of Adoption Attorneys, 2006 - Present; Fellow; Minnesota State Bar Association, 1999 - Present; Member; Hennepin County Bar Association, 1999 - Present; Member; Minnesota Women Lawyers, 2000 - Present; Member

Past Employment Positions:: Hon. Gary Crippen, Minnesota Court of Appeals, Judicial Law Clerk, 1999 - 2000; Office of the General Counsel, University of Minnesota, Law Clerk, 1998 - 1999; University of Minnesota Law School, Student Instructor-Legal Research & Writing, 1997 - 1998

Fraternities/Sororities:: Phi Alpha Theta