Janet Stellpflug, founding partner of Stellpflug Law PLLC, has more than 30 years of experience defending corporate clients in a variety of civil matters and arbitration proceedings. Her practice is focused on defense of complex construction and product liability litigation. She is devoted to client-driven results, whether the need is risk prevention, early resolution or trial. Her substantial civil trial and arbitration experience includes serving as first chair for more than 30 jury trials in state and federal court in Minnesota and Wisconsin. In a recent arbitration proceeding, Janet successfully enforced her client’s indemnity provisions in a contract entered after the effective date of the 2013 anti-indemnity amendments to Minn. Stat. §337.02, et al.
Since 1993, Janet has been certified as a Civil Trial Specialist by the Minnesota State Bar Association, a distinction achieved by less than one percent of women lawyers in Minnesota. She has also continuously held the AV Preeminent Rating from Martindale-Hubbell, the most well-respected legal directory in the legal community, for professional skills and integrity. Early in her career, she worked as a judicial law clerk for the Honorable Robert H. Schumacher. Her pro bono work includes serving as a volunteer conciliation court referee.
Janet works with a wide variety of clients, including large construction companies, international manufacturers, high-profile non-profits and small businesses. She represents her clients directly, and in some circumstances, as defense counsel appointed by their insurance carriers.
Elizabeth Roff has a proven track record of effectively and passionately representing clients in civil litigation matters in Minnesota and Wisconsin.
With more than 10 years of courtroom experience, Liz has taken the lead on 400+ civil matters involving commercial losses, with a focus on construction defect and product liability disputes. She also defends companies alleged to have violated federal and state employment practices including harassment and discrimination.
Her career highlights include numerous successful trial verdicts, settlement awards and procedural dismissals. Liz provides thought-out practical advice to her clients but is not afraid to make a plaintiff prove a case to a jury when necessary.
In the insurance arena, she provides clients with straight-forward coverage opinions and representation in disputes arising under commercial policies.
Widely considered an expert on commercial general liability policies, she co-authored “Minnesota Commercial General Liability Insurance Policy: Annotated,” cited as authority by the Minnesota Court of Appeals in Grinnell Mutual Insurance Co. v. Ripley, No. A09-179 (Minn. Ct. App., Dec. 29, 2009).
She is also the primary author of the Post Loss Duties of an Insured chapter of the Minnesota Continuing Legal Education Deskbook.
In her spare time, Liz enjoys time with her family and gives back to the community as a mentor to law school students and volunteer lawyer.
Law clerk Zoe I. Graham assists firm attorneys and paralegals with a wide range of case activities, including legal research and writing documents and pleadings for large, complex litigation cases, discoveries and trials.
Zoe came to Stellpflug Law PLLC with nearly ten years of real-life team building, problem solving and managerial experience, including the creation of a new business and operational strategy for a major resort property. Her action-oriented work ethic and collaborative approach have proven to benefit colleagues, clients and business partners alike.
Zoe attends Mitchell Hamline School of Law, where she expects to earn her Juris Doctor in May 2022. Active in the student community, she serves as a writing associate for the Mitchell Hamline Law Journal of Public Policy & Practice, as Vice President of the Minnesota Justice Foundation, which connects volunteer law students with opportunities to assist attorneys in meeting the legal needs of low-income communities, and as the Family Director of the Mitchell Hamline School of Law Self-Help Clinic, where she leads clinic operations, including supervising student and attorney volunteers and managing client expectations.
She also volunteers for the Home Line Tenant Advocacy program, researching tenant rights issues and assisting tenants in rental disputes. Throughout these experiences, Zoe has consistently demonstrated her ability to analyze new situations and find practical approaches to each case.
In her youth, Zoe demonstrated grit and resilience through her experiences playing on Brainerd Amateur Hockey Association (BAHA), boys’ teams, and on her high school girls’ varsity team, where she was named captain, MVP, and all-conference during her senior year. Her personal interests include basic coding, computer building, gaming, the performing arts, ethnography, tennis, and hockey.
Marissa Powers specializes in construction litigation. She also has extensive experience working as a national coordinating counsel paralegal, where she assisted in developing defense strategies for a client across multiple jurisdictions across the nation.
In her role as a paralegal, Marissa spends much of her time working with diverse document databases which assist clients and attorneys engaged in production and review of very large scale document productions for complex litigation. She works closely with attorneys, clients and experts to bring documents together into usable formats for depositions, expert discovery, arbitration hearings, motions, trials, and all forms of dispute resolution. Marissa is also responsible for drafting various pleadings and discovery, and updating clients.
Marissa graduated from Minnesota School of Business in 2008 with a Paralegal Degree. She is a member of the Minnesota Paralegal Association (MPA).
With nearly 20 years of experience as a legal administrative assistant, Staci provides key support to the firm’s litigation team and client base. She is responsible for a variety of legal and administrative tasks, including court filings, scheduling appointments, depositions and mediations, managing calendars, preparing documents and correspondence, and database maintenance.
Staci is proficient in legal technologies, with substantial experience in electronic discovery, trial technology, and external database hosting for our clients. She is well-versed in the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure as well as multiple state court rules, and is skilled in navigating matters that cross multiple jurisdictions.
Staci manages multiple responsibilities with attention to detail and has a proven record of solid performance in high-volume, high-pressure litigation environments.
She earned her Legal Secretary Certification from the Minnesota School of Business.
Katie Johnston oversees the firm’s administrative operations – finance, facility, and personnel. She has overall responsibility for creating best practices for internal processes and procedures, as well as training and educational initiatives which allow the firm to better serve its clients.
Her responsibilities include maintaining accounts payable, receivables and monthly billing, and management of the administration of policies, programs and practices within the firm. Well-versed in organizational management and administration, Katie’s enthusiasm and strong technical and interpersonal skills serve to enhance firm operations and client service.
Prior to joining the firm, Katie worked as a research assistant and served in the admissions office at the University of Minnesota, managing and interpreting high volumes of data. Her educational background includes accounting, strategic human resources management, healthcare business and finance, law and ethics in administration of healthcare, and US health care systems.
Katie holds a B.S. in Psychology with a minor in Health Services Management from the University of Minnesota.
Liz Hersey has helped emerging and established companies alike build strategic marketing and communications programs that positively “influence the influencers” – the key media, industry, and investment communities that influence brand recognition, corporate reputation and customer decisions.
In both agency and corporate settings, Liz has garnered editorial awards and numerous media/analyst reviews for corporate strategy, new technology, and new product introductions. With attention to clear, concise and consistent messaging, she has led successful communications strategies and initiatives through all business phases and climates.
Her experience includes securing funding for a growing business and facilitating the sale of two private technology companies; helping to establish and grow an international legal association to more than 4000 members worldwide; and leading the design and development of various brand-building web-based initiatives, including an award-winning eCommerce web site.
She has served on the Board of Directors of the National Investor Relations Institute Twin Cities, taking national honors for Distinctive Communications, Best Annual Plan and Best Overall Chapter; as chair for the Communications Working Group, Storage Networking Industry Association (SNIA); and on the PR Committee of the I2O Special Interest Group.
Liz has also been active in organizations including PRSA and the Legal Marketing Association (LMA). In 2013, she was named an Unsung Legal Hero by Minnesota Lawyer Magazine.
As Marketing Director for Stellpflug Law PLLC, Liz directs all firm marketing and communications strategies and works with firm attorneys to leverage their unique strengths for competitive advantage.