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      Michael Brandt

      Michael J. Brandt

      Partner

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      • Background
      • Education
      • Admissions
      • Teaching
      • Publications
      • Memberships
      • Community

      Background

      For the past 25 years, Mike Brandt has devoted himself to defending those who find themselves on the wrong side of the law. Starting as a public defender in 1994, Mike represented clients on every type of criminal charge — from murder to speeding — and conducted jury trials on cases involving homicide, sexual assault, physical assault, drugs crimes, theft, and various other charges. Over the years as a public defender, Mike repeatedly secured dismissals, suppression of evidence, and defeated probation violations. After establishing a record as a zealous advocate for his clients, Mike was courted into private practice.

      In 1999, Mike joined Caplan and Taburino, a prominent Minneapolis criminal defense firm. While there, Mike again defended clients on various diverse charges, including DWIs, vehicle forfeitures, and license revocations.

      Thanks to his reputation and experience, Mike started teaching continuing legal education seminars in the areas of evidence, DWI crime, technological issues, and trial strategies.

      In 2003, Mike left Caplan and Tamburino to start his own firm. For nearly 3 years, the firm of Jasper & Brandt, PLLC represented hundreds of clients on a wide range of criminal charges.

      In December 2005, his law partner became a district court judge in Minnesota’s 10th Judicial District. Upon the departure of his partner, Mike formed Brandt Kettwick Defense, PLLC. Since its start with one attorney and one assistant, the firm has expanded to a team of four attorneys, three paralegals, and four law clerks.

      Mike and his team work together to represent clients facing every type of criminal charge. Mike continues to speak at continuing legal education seminars, as well as acting as a mentor for new attorneys and law students.

      In 2002, Mike was recognized by Minnesota Law and Politics magazine as a Rising Star. In 2003, he was recognized by other attorneys in the state as a Super Lawyer, a distinction given to less than 6% of lawyers in the state, and he has received this honor every year since then. In 2015, Super Lawyers rated Mike as one of the top 100 Super Lawyers in Minnesota. Mike has been rated as a top 100 lawyer every year since 2015.

      Education

      William Mitchell College of Law
      Juris Doctor, cum laude, William Mitchell College of Law
      University of Minnesota
      Bachelor of Arts, University of Minnesota

      Admissions

      Supreme Court of MN
      Minnesota Supreme Court
      District Court of MN
      United States District Court - District of Minnesota

      Teaching

      Topic
      Association
      Date

      Criminal Law Trial School

      MSBA Continuing Legal Education

      2019

      Castle Doctrine Laws

      KARE 11 News

      2019

      DWI Collateral Consequences

      MSBA Continuing Legal Education

      2019

      Delivering Excellent Client Service

      University of St. Thomas School of Law

      2019

      Avoiding Ethical Issues in Criminal Practice

      Minnesota Lawyers Mutual

      2018

      Criminal Law Trial School

      MSBA Continuing Legal Education

      2018

      Personal Trial Victories

      Minnesota Society for Criminal Justice

      2017

      Collateral Consequences of Certain Charges

      MSBA Continuing Legal Education

      2016

      Forfeitures in Minnesota and Pretrial Use of Polygraphs

      MSBA Continuing Legal Education

      2015

      Motion Practice in a Criminal Case

      Minnesota State Bar Association

      2015

      Direct Examination of Your Client in a DWI

      Minnesota Society for Criminal Justice

      2015

      Using Police Reports in Implied Consent Hearings

      MSBA Continuing Legal Education

      2014

      Litigating Order For Protection Cases

      Anoka County Bar Association

      2013

      Interstate Compact on Adult Offender Supervision

      MSBA Continuing Legal Education

      2013

      Anoka County Procedures

      Minnesota Society for Criminal Justice

      2012

      Anoka County DWI Procedures

      Minnesota Society for Criminal Justice

      2012

      Utilizing Court Interpreters

      Anoka County Bar Association

      2010

      Motor Vehicle Forfeitures in DWIs

      Minnesota Society for Criminal Justice

      2010

      Basics of DUI

      Anoka County Bar Association

      2009

      Disaster Preparedness and Recovery

      Anoka County Bar Association

      2009

      Challenging the Intoxilyzer Machine

      MSBA Continuing Legal Education

      2008

      Evidence in a DWI Case

      MSBA Continuing Legal Education

      2005

      Criminal Law 101

      West Publishing

      2005

      Challenging the Intoxilyzer Machine

      Minnesota Public Defenders

      2005

      Trial Advocacy

      Hamline Law School

      2005

      Winning the One-on-One Sex Case

      MSBA Continuing Legal Education

      2004

      Cultivating DUI Defenses

      All-District Legal

      2004

      Challenging the Intoxilyzer Machine

      Minnesota Public Defenders

      2004

      Trial Advocacy

      Hamline Law School

      2003

      DWI Basics

      MSBA Continuing Legal Education

      2003

      Evidence in a DWI Case

      MSBA Continuing Legal Education

      2003

      Successful Negotiations in DWI Cases

      All-District Legal

      2003

      Evidence in Courtrooms

      Minnesota Institute of Legal Education

      1999

      Challenging the Intoxilyzer Machine

      Minnesota Public Defenders

      2003

      Publications

      Article
      Publication
      Date

      Evidence and Discovery Chapter

      Minnesota DWI Deskbook – Minnesota CLE

      2019

      The Legality of Search and Seizure in DUI Cases

      Aspatore Books

      2019

      Evidence and Discovery Chapter

      Minnesota DWI Deskbook – Minnesota CLE

      2018

      The Legality of Search and Seizure in DUI Cases

      Aspatore Books

      2018

      Evidence and Discovery Chapter

      Minnesota DWI Deskbook – Minnesota CLE

      2017

      The Legality of Search and Seizure in DUI Cases

      Aspatore Books

      2017

      Evidence and Discovery Chapter

      Minnesota DWI Deskbook – Minnesota CLE

      2016

      The Legality of Search and Seizure in DUI Cases

      Aspatore Books

      2016

      Evidence and Discovery Chapter

      Minnesota DWI Deskbook – Minnesota CLE

      2015

      The Legality of Search and Seizure in DUI Cases

      Aspatore Books

      2015

      Evidence and Discovery Chapter

      Minnesota DWI Deskbook – Minnesota CLE

      2014

      The Legality of Search and Seizure in DUI Cases

      Aspatore Books

      2014

      Evidence and Discovery Chapter

      Minnesota DWI Deskbook – Minnesota CLE

      2013

      The Legality of Search and Seizure in DUI Cases

      Aspatore Books

      2013

      Evidence and Discovery Chapter

      Minnesota DWI Deskbook – Minnesota CLE

      2012

      The Legality of Search and Seizure in DUI Cases

      Aspatore Books

      2012

      Evidence and Discovery Chapter

      Minnesota DWI Deskbook – Minnesota CLE

      2011

      The Legality of Search and Seizure in DUI Cases

      Aspatore Books

      2011

      Evidence and Discovery Chapter

      Minnesota DWI Deskbook – Minnesota CLE

      2010

      The Legality of Search and Seizure in DUI Cases

      Aspatore Books

      2010

      Evidence and Discovery Chapter

      Minnesota DWI Deskbook – Minnesota CLE

      2009

      The Legality of Search and Seizure in DUI Cases

      Aspatore Books

      2009

      Evidence and Discovery Chapter

      Minnesota DWI Deskbook – Minnesota CLE

      2008

      The Legality of Search and Seizure in DUI Cases

      Aspatore Books

      2008

      Evidence and Discovery Chapter

      Minnesota DWI Deskbook – Minnesota CLE

      2007

      The Legality of Search and Seizure in DUI Cases

      Aspatore Books

      2007

      Evidence and Discovery Chapter

      Minnesota DWI Deskbook – Minnesota CLE

      2006

      The Legality of Search and Seizure in DUI Cases

      Aspatore Books

      2006

      Evidence and Discovery Chapter

      Minnesota DWI Deskbook – Minnesota CLE

      2005

      The Legality of Search and Seizure in DUI Cases

      Aspatore Books

      2005

      Evidence and Discovery Chapter

      Minnesota DWI Deskbook – Minnesota CLE

      2004

      The Legality of Search and Seizure in DUI Cases

      Aspatore Books

      2004

      Evidence and Discovery Chapter

      Minnesota DWI Deskbook – Minnesota CLE

      2003

      The Legality of Search and Seizure in DUI Cases

      Aspatore Books

      2003

      Memberships

      Position
      Association
      Date

      Member

      Hennepin County Bar Association

      2018-present

      Member

      Minnesota Society for Criminal Justice

      2008-present

      Member

      Anoka County Bar Association

      2003-present

      Member

      National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers

      2000-present

      Member

      Minnesota State Bar Association

      1999-present

      Member

      Minnesota Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers

      1999-present

      Board Member

      Minnesota Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers

      2007-2015

      Former President

      Anoka County Bar Association

      2014-2015

      Former President

      Minnesota Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers

      2014-2015

      Community

      Position
      Association
      Date

      Mentor

      Mitchell Hamline School of Law

      2018-present

      Mentor

      University of St. Thomas Law School

      2016-present

      Guest Lecturer

      Toulouse Law School

      2016-present

      Guest Lecturer

      St. Louis Park High School

      1995-present

      Guest Lecturer

      Edina High School

      1995-present

      Guest Lecturer

      Wayzata High School

      1995-present

      Member

      Anoka County Courthouse Remodeling Committee

      2013-2015

      Volunteer Coach

      St. Louis Park Soccer

      2002-2005

      Volunteer

      St. Louis Park Hockey

      2000-2003

      Volunteer

      St. Louis Park Baseball

      1996-2004

      Board Member

      St. Louis Park Human Rights Commission

      1998-1999

      Board Member

      St. Louis Park Little League

      1997-1999

      Board Member

      10th Judicial District Bias Elimination Team

      1996-1999

      Board Member

      University of Minnesota Student Legal Services

      1990-1991

      Member

      Anoka County Court Appointed Counsel Committee

      Member

      Anoka County Domestic Abuse Pilot Project

      Member

      Minnesota Supreme Court Race Committee

      Michael Brandt

      Locations

      Anoka Office
      2150 Third Avenue North, Suite 210 Anoka, MN 55303

      Hopkins Office
      25 9th Ave North, Hopkins, MN 55343

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