Our Attorneys                                

Below is a directory of attorneys who volunteer for the CDSI panel:

*Denotes on-call attorneys

Scott D. Baker

Scott practices exclusively in criminal law. He has personally tried over 26 jury trials (including 14 felony cases) and has handled cases ranging from low-level misdemeanors to criminal sexual conduct and homicides.  Scott earned his bachelor’s degree and MBA from Drake University and his J.D. cum laude from the University of Minnesota Law School.  He is also a lecturer at the University of Minnesota.

Eileen Bergmann

Eileen's private practice includes: Criminal Defense, Civil Litigation, Real Estate and Probate law.  She graduated in 1987 cum laude with a J.D. from William Mitchell College of Law and in 1984 with a B.A. from the University of Minnesota, with a major in Philosophy and a minor in Political Science.

Shawn M. Betts

Shawn has been a licensed practicing attorney in Minnesota since 1996, having now practiced law for over 10 years.  He is a current member of the Minnesota State Bar.  Shawn worked as a judicial law clerk in Ramsey County for two years, then as an associate attorney with a firm in Maplewood.  He is currently in solo practice with an office in Maplewood, Minnesota, focusing primarily on criminal defense, handling cases statewide, and is the Minnesota Resident Partner for the California firm of Imhoff & Associates, P.A.  Shawn is both a Board Member and Panel Member of CDSI, as well as Program Coordinator of the Washington County Defense Panel.  In 2006, Shawn worked as a prosecutor for the cities of Maplewood and White Bear Lake, Minnesota.  He received his Bachelor’s Degree from Lake Superior State University and J.D. from Hamline University Law School.

John Biglow

John is a private attorney who practices in the areas of Civil Litigation, Criminal Litigation, Real Estate, Estate Planning, and Probate and Family Law.  In 1992, he obtained his J.D. from William Mitchell College of Law.  He obtained his B.A. from the University of Minnesota Duluth in 1989.

Charles F. Clippert

Charlie was first admitted to the Minnesota bar in 1994 following his graduation from William Mitchell College of Law with a J.D. cum laude.  Prior to law school, Charlie graduated from Colby College, Waterville, Maine, 1986 with a B.A. in Economics.  He served as an Assistant Public Defender with the Ramsey County Public Defender's Office from 1996-2005 when he left to become an Associate with the law firm of Bethel, Grieme & Clippert in St. Paul, MN. 

Trygve A. Egge

In addition to working with CDSI on criminal defense matters, Trig practices in the areas of Personal Injury, Automobile Accidents, Wrongful Death, Workers Compensation, Trusts and Estates, Family Law, Real Estate and Civil Litigation.  He was admitted to the practice of law in 1975, following graduation from William Mitchell College of Law with a J.D. degree.  Trig also graduated from St. Olaf College with a B.A. in 1971.  In private practice in Shoreview, a northern suburb of St. Paul, Trig has been a volunteer with CDSI since nearly its inception.  Now he volunteers primarily as back up for others handling initial appearances and on cases coming into the office outside of the courtroom.  Trig also has experience in criminal motions, trials and appeals to Minnesota Supreme Court and Court of Appeals and 8th Circuit Court of Appeals.  His other volunteer work includes Ramsey County Pro Se Panel and Judicare of Anoka County.

Shannon Elkins

Shannon is a private criminal defense attorney whose office is in Minneapolis.  She received her undergraduate degree summa cum laude from the University of Minnesota.  In 2003, Shannon graduated with honors from the University of Minnesota law school.  Both during law school and as an attorney, she gained valuable experience working with the Hennepin County Public Defenders Office.  Shannon is currently an associate with the Hawkins Law Office.

 Patrick W. Flanagan 

Patrick is a former Chief Prosecutor who has been practicing law since 1993 and now represents individuals in criminal defense and civil litigation matters.  He graduated from William Mitchell College of Law with a J.D. 1993.  He was elected Mower County Attorney in 2002.  Patrick's practice focuses on Criminal Defense and Civil Litigation, including  DWI's, drug charges, felony murder charges, sex crimes, misdemeanors, felonies, divorce, personal injury, land issues and restraining orders.

Eric Hawkins is a criminal defense attorney in private practice in Minneapolis.  He received his undergraduate degree from the University of California at Berkeley where he majored in Legal Studies.  In 1997, he graduated from the University of Minnesota Law School.  Eric worked for the prosecutor's office at the Ramsey County Attorney's Office, working in both Adult Felony Court and Juvenile Court.  Eric also previously worked for the Anoka County Public Defender's Office, prior to starting his own firm.

Brockton "Brock" D. Hunter

Brock is a current member of the CDSI Board of Directors and the Misdemeanor and Felony Arraignment Panels.  He is a 1997 cum laude graduate of the University of Minnesota Law School and has been in solo practice, focusing on criminal defense since 1999.  Having served in the Army as a reconnaissance scout, Brock finds a similar sense of challenge and purpose in defending the rights of the accused in courts throughout Minnesota.  He also serves on the Board of Directors of the Minnesota Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers and, as their Legislative Chair, has lobbied for criminal justice reforms at the Minnesota Legislature for the past four years.  In his off time, Brock often heads north to explore Lake Superior's remote islands via sea kayak.  In 1999, Brock, along with four other Twin Cities kayakers, completed an 88-mile unsupported crossing of Lake Superior to help the National Wildlife Federation draw attention to the Lake's imperiled health.

Kristi D. McNeilly

Kristi is an attorney in private practice focusing primarily on ciminal defense.  Kristi graduated from Hamline University School of Law in St. Paul, Minnesota.  Kristi McNeilly was born and raised in Minnesota, and has a long history of public service including active duty in the United States Military. As a practicing lawyer, Kristi is known for the zealous advocacy she consistently administers. This is a lawyer who is passionate about her work and committed to getting satisfactory results for her clients. Kristi McNeilly is licensed to practice in both state and federal courts.

Ben is a relatively new addition to the CDSI panel of attorneys.  He is currently a partner in the law firm of Dejvongsa Myers & Associates, LLC in Minneapolis, Minnesota. His private practice focuses primarily on criminal defense work, including: Criminal Defense, Traffic Violations Defense, Drug Crimes Defense, Theft Crimes Defense, Fraud and White Collar Crimes Defense, Assault Defense, and Civil Litigation.  Ben was admitted to the Minnesota bar in 2004 following his graduation from Hamline University School of Law, St. Paul, Minnesota, 2004 with a J.D. degree.  Ben also graduated with a B.A. degree from Texas Tech University, Lubbock, Texas in 2001 where he majored in History and minored in Political Science and English.

Linda D. Morrison