About the Firm

Melchert Hubert Sjodin provides aggressive legal representation for our clients. Founded in 1927 by Judge Arlo Haering, our firm is currently one of the oldest and largest firms in the Southwest Twin Cities area. Today, our attorneys provide a wide range of legal services. From estate planning and real estate transactions to local government and family law, we bring both local and national experience to the table for our clients.

We value each of our clients and have offices located in Waconia and Chaska to provide convenient, face-to-face, access to our attorneys. Using secure technology, we also serve clients located outside of the Twin Cities area.

Our Offices

Waconia Office
Main Street Exchange Building
Suite 200
121 Main Street West
Waconia, MN 55387
Phone: (952) 442-7700
Map & Directions

Chaska Office
510 Chestnut St N, Ste 100
Chaska, MN 55318
Phone: (952) 442-7700
Map & Directions

Serving Our Community

The attorneys and staff of Melchert Hubert Sjodin proudly support the communities we serve. Over our firm’s 60-year history, we have enjoyed serving as active members and leaders in Rotary, Lions and the Chamber of Commerce. We also serve on several nonprofit boards including the Ridgeview Foundation, the ISD 110 Foundation, McLeod Parent Connection, and the Hutchinson Center for the Arts. Lending a hand to Relay for Life, Feed My Starving Children, highway cleanup, local fireworks displays, community choir/band events, and numerous other activities is something we do without a second thought.

In addition to lending a hand, we donate funds to worthy causes including the Waconia Food Shelf, Ridgeview Medical Center, the Susan G. Komen Foundation, the CAP Agency and Southern Minnesota Regional Legal Services. We invite you to read more about our Community Giving Policy. If you’re interested in applying for a charitable contribution, please fill out this form.

We believe our community involvement both enriches the communities we serve and makes us better citizens. We live where we work, and we love where we live.

Our History

MHS was founded in Waconia by Judge Arlo Hearing in 1928 and a partnership developed with Bill Glaeser of Waconia in 1951. Paul Melchert joined the firm in 1959 and has grown to what the firm is today. The goal of our law firm is to serve the communities of our offices with prompt, effective and affordable legal services. We are general practitioners of law, but our size enables each attorney to focus on particular areas of law in order to better meet the needs of our clients.

Our Hutchinson office was merged with the Jensen Law Office in 2011 to broaden the services provided into areas of law including employment law, banking law, municipal law and personal injury. Neil Jensen founded the Jensen Law Office in 1981 and represented individuals and businesses in the Hutchinson and surrounding areas in various areas of business law, real estate, estate planning, probate and trust administration and family law representation.

Our Chaska office has been serving the community since 1968.

Retired Attorneys

Paul Melchert, retired 2020

Paul Melchert retired on May 31, 2020 after practicing law for over 60 years. Paul’s values have always guided his interactions with others and set a tone of integrity for Melchert Hubert Sjodin. Paul sought talented and well-rounded attorneys who do the best possible job for their clients, their families and their community. He modeled a culture of structured professionalism, competence and fairness at the growing law firm.

Paul was one of the founders of the Waconia Chamber of Commerce in 1961. He also has been a long-time and active member of the Waconia America Legion and the Waconia Lions. And the gazebo at City Square Park constructed in 2004 is dedicated in recognition of his lifetime of service. Paul is also the past president of the Carver County Historical Society, and as founder and president of the Waconia Heritage Association he helped publish two books on the history of Waconia.

Neil Jensen, retired 2020

Neil practiced law and represented clients in his hometown of Hutchinson for over 30 years. He understood the importance of protecting assets for the future and represented many families for generations, including complex planning for farm families whose land has increased in values exponentially providing greater tax exposure.

Neil served as president of the McLeod County Bar Association. He was also a member of the Minnesota State Bar Association (MSBA), Eighth District Bar Association, American Association for Justice, and the Minnesota Association for Justice. Neil previously served on the Minnesota Trust Account Board and the Eighth District Ethics Committee.

R. Lawrence Harris, retired 2021

Throughout Larry Harris’ 41 year career as an attorney with Melchert Hubert Sjodin, he handled a wide range of matters for clients, always working to find the right solutions that were cost-effective and created the best possible outcomes. Larry’s clients trusted him to be an integral part of the their process, and sought his advice and counsel, when putting deals together – the right way. He was frequently brought in by other attorneys and judges to mediate or arbitrate significant disputes in areas including agri-business, commercial finance, closely held business disputes, and governmental matters.

Nationally, Larry was a sought after speaker and regular presenter at a number of Continuing Legal Education (CLE) programs throughout the country on a wide variety of topics including commercial and agri-business, commercial finance, creditors’ rights, government development, contracting, and financing.

David P. Hubert, retired 2022

More to come…

Mac R. Willemssen, retired 2022

More to come…

Bradley W. Solheim, retired 2022

More to come…

In Memoriam

Keith E. Sjodin, Former Partner

We mourn the loss of our friend and colleague, Keith Sjodin, who passed away peacefully Monday April 3, 2023.

Keith supported the growth of Melchert Hubert Sjodin since he joined the firm in 1975. He provided compassionate legal counsel in many areas of law, focusing primarily on Personal Injury and Workers Compensation. Keith led the firm’s Litigation practice group and served as Managing Partner of the firm for more than 25 years.

We miss his presence in our firm and extend our deepest sympathy to Keith’s family and friends.

You may view his obituary here.

What Our Clients Say

I appreciate the fact that they are willing to work with our other legal counsel. They have done this in several situations over fairly complex bond financing issues or with health care law. Yet we look at Melchert Hubert Sjodin similar to in-house counsel because of their broad experience and ability to turn things around quickly. They have fabulous turnaround time and we’ve always felt that their rates were fair and accurately portrayed the work they did.

John D., client since the 1950s

Melchert Hubert Sjodin helps us with issues related to selling and developing real estate. They have a genuine interest in serving as our partner in the process versus a service provider. Their actions prove that. They focus on finding fair solutions for issues and not just setting up adversary relationships.

Terry H., client since 1987

We are a 100-year-old highway heavy construction company. I grew up in the firm and my forefathers have used Melchert Hubert Sjodin for as long as I can remember. I’m of the thinking that if it isn’t broken, don’t change anything. We’ve continued to have a good experience and have never shopped fees; the relationship has been much more important.

Richard W., client since the 1950s

Individuals

Business & Industry

About the Firm

Our Offices

Serving Our Community

Our History

Retired Attorneys

Paul Melchert, retired 2020

Neil Jensen, retired 2020

R. Lawrence Harris, retired 2021

David P. Hubert, retired 2022

Mac R. Willemssen, retired 2022

Bradley W. Solheim, retired 2022

In Memoriam

Keith E. Sjodin, Former Partner

What Our Clients Say

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Waconia Office

Chaska Office