Hello, I am Dennis, a Master Certified Coach and an experienced lawyer. I’ve known career satisfaction. Over the years, I’ve also known the challenges of a demanding career. I’ve made many transitions, from public practice for two State Agencies to private practice with two law firms. I’ve practiced on the East Coast and in the Midwest. I live wholeheartedly, accessing the wisdom of my lived experience for the benefit of my coaching clients. My desire to become a career coach was the culmination of my interest in people, years of legal experience, and education in psychology. I am uniquely positioned to provide career coaching to lawyers and executives.
“Over 30 years as a successful lawyer and 20 years as a certified coach, is a rare combination that distinguishes me from other coaches.”
I am passionate about coaching and I love the legal profession; here’s a snapshot of my career:
1971: I’ve helped to shape environmental law, both locally and nationally, beginning in Pennsylvania as an Assistant Attorney General, representing the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Resources.
1980: I was appointed as a Special Assistant Attorney General for the State of Minnesota, assigned to represent the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency.
1988: I entered private practice, becoming a shareholder at Hart, Bruner & O’Brien.
1990: I joined Fredrikson & Byron and became a shareholder and Chair of the Environmental Law Group. Concurrently, I was appointed Chair of the Hennepin County Bar Association Environmental Law Committee, a position I held for more than six years. In addition, I served for many years on the Minnesota State Bar Association Environmental and Natural Resources Section.
2000: With the support and advice of my own coach, I studied at the Hudson Institute of Santa Barbara and was certified as an Individual and Organizational Coach. I became Of Counsel at Fredrikson & Byron and launched my coaching and consulting practice.
2006: I earned my certification as a Somatic Coach at the Strozzi Institute of California.
2012: I was certified by the Strozzi Institute as a Master Somatic Coach.
Honors
During my legal career, I was included in:
- Best Lawyers in America
- Who’s Who in American Law
- Leading American Attorneys
- Super Lawyer
I have served as a contributing editor for The Complete Lawyer and have written for other publications, including the Hennepin Lawyer. Today, I write for the Minnesota Lawyer.
Education & Teaching
- B.A., Psychology, University of Minnesota
- J.D., Villanova University School of Law
- Former Adjunct Faculty, Master of Arts program in Human Development, St. Mary’s College
- Former Adjunct Faculty, University St. Thomas, teaching law