In the Matter of the Welfare of Clausen, 289 N.W.2d 153 (Minn. 1980) - Termination of parental rights established that the court can take judicial notice of files and records from juvenile and criminal divisions of its own jurisdiction to expedite litigation by eliminating cost or delay of proving readily verifiable facts. 

Yost v. Millhouse, 373 N.W.2d 826 (Minn. Ct. App. 1985) - Established that in a consumer fraud case attorney fees are recoverable. 

Tollefson v. Tollefson, 403 N.W.2d 857 (Minn. Ct. App. 1987) - Established a $7,000 award of attorney fees was not an abuse of trial court's discretion in marriage dissolution action where husband's refusal to fully comply with initial court order protracted proceedings and increased wife's legal fees.  Also established that joint legal custody was not appropriate partially based on unusually bitter and hostile attitudes between parties and trial court's strong concerns that parties would be unable to make joint decisions in child's best interests.

Rainbow Terrace, Inc. v. Hutchens, 557 N.W.2d 618 (Minn. Ct. App. 1997) - Established that the law requiring a mobile home park rental agreement be in writing, that requirement can be disregarded.  Established that acceptance of rent constituted a waiver of any defaults related to non-payment of rent. 

Flor v. Flor, No. C3-94-858 (Minn. Ct. App. Oct. 25, 1994) (unpublished decision) - Established that failure to disclose assets and intentionally transferring and concealing marital property account for the difficulty in properly determining appellant's net income.  Stands for the proposition that a full disclosure of assets and income must be made, otherwise the court will probably construe most choices against the non-disclosing party. 

Perleberg v. Perleberg, No. C1-89-200 (Minn. Ct. App. July 18, 1989) (unpublished decision) - Established the principal that in a child custody case newly discovered evidence is not limited to evidence available before trial, but that a child's reaction to the custody decision is new evidence.   Contrary to established law in other civil matters, but firmly establishes that a family law court is an equity court and that the best interests of the children are paramount. 

Education

Law School                Rutgers University

                                    Camden, New Jersey

                                    Juris Doctorate with honors, June 1975         

Undergraduate         St. Olaf College

                                    Northfield, Minnesota

                                    Bachelor of arts, cum laude, May 1968

Special Studies        Dispute Resolution Institute at St. Olaf College
                                    presented by Helen Preddy, U.S. Arbitration
                                    and Mediation of Minnesota