well that’s a good question I used to be

a prosecutor so I know a little bit

about how prosecutors think generally

the way that I deal with prosecutors is

to be a very straightforward and honest

with them and and require them to be the

same with me and sometimes we can agree

about things and sometimes we can’t I

think that the best way to deal with

prosecutors is to help them understand

what your view the law on the facts is

and to help them understand that you

will do whatever you need to do within

the bounds of the law to represent your

clients and see if it’s possible to work

together to achieve a solution and if

not to try a case in a manner that

maximizes your clients chances to win

and is consistent with the finest

traditions of the bar

so I’ve been a lawyer since 1981. I

began my career as a prosecutor I was a

prosecutor for a few years since then

I’ve been defending people accused of

crimes I have received every honor that

every meaningful honor that’s available

to a criminal defense lawyer I’ve been a

member of the American College of trial

lawyers for I don’t know 15 years which

is an honor limited to the top one

percent of lawyers in the state I’ve

been admitted to the fellowship in the

American Board of criminal lawyers I’ve

been certified by the national board of

trial advocacy for

34 years I think I was the first lawyer

to be certified

as a criminal trial specialist by the

Minnesota State Bar Association I’m

currently uh the second vice president

of the National Association of criminal

defense lawyers on the track to be

president in a few years I’m a past

president of the Minnesota

Association of criminal defense lawyers

I was appointed by the Minnesota Supreme

Court to be on their uh advisory

committee for the rules of criminal

procedure these are a few of my

achievements in the law