Brian has attended scores of lawyer training seminars over the years. More importantly, he attended three different trial lawyer colleges: the Minnesota Trial Advocacy course in 1977; a National College course in Houston, TX in 1979; and an advanced trial course by the ATLA National College of Advocacy at Harvard College in 1983.
He is certified as a civil trial specialist by both the Minnesota State Bar Association and the National Board of Trial Advocacy. This is awarded exclusively to trial lawyers with extensive courtroom experience who are subject to strict peer review and must pass a national written examination. Less than two percent of lawyers in Minnesota have achieved this exclusive certification.
Brian served on the Board of Governors of the Minnesota Trial Lawyers Association for ten years, the longest term possible under the By-laws, and was commended for service. He has remained as an emeritus member of the board.
Brian is rated "AV" by the respected, nationwide Martindale-Hubbell Law Directory. The ratings are developed by obtaining confidential opinions from lawyer adversaries and judges before whom the lawyer has appeared. Ability rating categories are A,B,C and no rating. An "A" rating is the "very high to preeminent" category, the highest rating possible. It signifies that the lawyer has reached the heights of professional excellence, recognized for the highest levels of skill and integrity. The "V" rating is the highest for adherence to ethical standards, reliability and diligence.
Brian was appointed by the Minnesota Supreme Court from 1990-98 as a member of the Minnesota Judicial Selection Commission, which was responsible for interviewing and assessing lawyer candidates for judgeships, and making recommendations on appointment to the Governor.
From 1996-99, Brian was a member of the Minnesota Eighth Judicial District Ethics Committee, which investigated ethics charges against lawyers.
Brian was the founder, and host of "Legal Lines" from 1985 to 2001. Brian and guest lawyers educated thousands of Americans on their legal rights in this live, call-in TV show on Pioneer Public TV, KWCM, one of the PBS stations in Minnesota.
