Michael C. Black

I am a 1975 magna cum laude graduate of St. John's University in Collegeville, Minnesota. I graduated from the University of Wisconsin Law School cum laude in 1978.

I have been practicing law since 1978, the entire time as a private practitioner in general practice. I concentrate my legal services in the area of family law, real estate, general litigation and wills and probate. I have broad experience in many areas. If I can not handle the matter for you, I will refer you to another attorney who is well-qualified to serve you.

During my years of practice, I have represented clients at every level of practice in the Minnesota court system. I have appeared in court in all of the metropolitan counties and many counties in greater Minnesota.

The foundation of my practice is the quality relationship which I maintain with my clients. I work hard to treat my clients with integrity and respect for their needs and objectives. I take pride in my ability to assist clients in identifying their goals and adopting sensible strategies to achieve them.

My office is located at 265 West 7th Street in downtown St. Paul, at the intersection of West 7th and Walnut Streets, two blocks west of the Xcel Energy Center. Free parking is available in the parking lot of the Dairy Queen, located across West 7th Street from my building. I rent several spaces there for clients. You can park in any spot at any time, unless there is an event at the Xcel Energy Center. You can enter my building through the door marked 265." My office is on the second floor. There is no elevator in the building. If you cannot use the stairs for some reason, please call ahead and we can make alternative arrangements for our meeting.

Honors

2006- 2015 Super Lawyer. From 2006 to 2015, I was selected as a Minnesota Super Lawyer in the fields of Family Law and Alternative Dispute Resolution (Mediation) by Minnesota Law & Politics magazine. Super Lawyers names Minnesota's top lawyers as chosen by their peers and through the independent research of Law & Politics. 2006 Minnesota Super Lawyers is based on surveys of approximately 16,500 active lawyers across the state. The goal was to select as Super Lawyers the top 5 percent of Minnesota attorneys in more than 60 practice areas. Minnesota Super Lawyers is published annually in August in a special advertising sections in Twin Cities Business and Mpls. St. Paul, and in the August/September issue of Minnesota Law & Politics.

2004 Pro Bono Award. In 2004 I was awarded the first annual Pro Bono Award for the Second Judicial District (Ramsey County). Local district court judges nominate the recipients of this award in each of Minnesota's ten judicial districts to recognize exceptional pro bono legal services provided to residents of the district. My award was granted for my long association with Southern Minnesota Regional Legal Services, where I have been a volunteer attorney since 1978. Over that time I have handled over 200 different legal matters for clients who could not otherwise afford legal counsel.

Martindale Hubbell AV rating. Martindale Hubbell publishes a national directory of attorneys which includes a rating system based on reviews by lawyers and judges. I have achieved the rating of AV, which is the highest one available and is based on ethical standards and legal ability.

Professional Memberships

Throughout my career I have been a member of the American Bar Association (ABA), the Minnesota State Bar Association (MSBA) and the Ramsey County Bar Association (RCBA). I am also member of the Family Law Section in all three of those associations. I also serve on the Memorials Committee for the RCBA.

In 2000 I joined the Minnesota Association of Mediators and served on its board of directors for two years before it merged with the Association for Conflict Resolution - Minnesota. I now serve on the board of directors and as treasurer of the merged organization, Conflict Resolution Minnesota (CRM). CRM is a voluntary association of mediators and arbitrators which seeks to advance the professional standing of its members, sponsors education programs and provides outreach to the public. I am also a member of the Association for Conflict Resolution, a national association of mediators and arbitrators, of which CRM is a chapter.