There are two basic categories of legal practice: transaction and litigation. Transactional law
governs the smooth operation of society; examples include sales contracts, business formation, estate
planning, and property transfers. Litigation is the resolution of disputes arising among individuals,
business entities, and governments. At its very core, litigation is any judicial proceeding where two or
more parties intend for a court to determine and allow enforcement of legal rights.
Criminal and DWI Defense
The Founding Fathers understood the importance of preserving the rights of the people to assistance
in criminal defense proceedings.
Attorneys are trained as officers of the courts to help people understand and navigate the American legal
system. Because more is at stake in criminal cases than civil cases, hiring a lawyer early in the case is
important to ensure that the government acts properly in criminal prosecution. If you are arrested in
Minnesota for driving while impaired, seeking
counsel early may help you to retain your
driver’s license.
Predatory Lending Practices
Increases in predatory lending
practices, backed by the lures of attractive interest rates in the recent past and (questionable)
mortgage products that look too good to be true, have driven record sales of mortgages and refinancing
products. As interest rates rise, the number of foreclosures also rises. Victims of predatory lending may be
able to recover against the mortgage lenders that engage in illegal practices.
Probate Litigation
Estate planning is geared toward directing disposition of assets and avoiding disputes among heirs
when a person dies. Most cases pass through probate properly or avoid probate all together. Some cases run
into probate disputes. Probate litigation
can involve contesting the validity of a will, disputing testamentary trust interpretation, and disputing
the appointment of a particular executor or administrator.
Disability Rights
Persons with disabilities are often the most vulnerable in society. They are often vulnerable
because they lack the resources to fight for themselves in the way that others can. Persons with
disabilities are afforded the same civil rights as everyone else, but they are also granted special rights
as a protected class. When those rights are
violated, the offenders must be held to account.
Personal Injury Law
Not every case has merit. Many claims should never become cases. At the same time, personal injury cases with merit should be
settled or judged according to ideals of justified compensation. Accidents happen. But liability still hangs
on the person or entity that was the cause of the accident. The transgressor may have never intended harm,
but certainly the injured victim never wanted to be harmed.
Contact attorney Patrick Oden to discuss your case. Initial phone consultations are always
free.
Patrick Oden is a criminal defense lawyer and civil trial attorney who represents
clients across Minnesota from the Twin Cities metro area and throughout out-state Minnesota. Mr. Oden
represents clients in all counties, including Hennepin County, Ramsey County, McLeod County, Le Sueur
County, Isanti County, Anoka County, Washington County, Dakota County, Scott County, Stearns County, Nicolet
County, Dodge County, Waseca County, Blue Earth County, Kandiyohi County, Polk County, Todd County, Becker
County, Pipestone County, and St. Louis County. Mr. Oden will represent clients in all cities in Minnesota,
including Minneapolis, St. Paul, Roseville, Shoreview, White Bear Lake, Eagan, North Oaks, St. Louis Park,
Minnetonka, Wayzata, Duluth, Proctor, Two Harbors, Grand Marais, Saint Cloud, Waite Park, Salk Center,
Winona, Waseca, Owatonna, Mankato, and Stillwater.
