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 'ith 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.

Dennis Casey

Peter H. Dahlquist

Peter has earned a reputation as an aggressive advocate for his clients.  His efforts have resulted in successful results for clients charged with homicide, serious assault, DWI, theft, and juvenile matters.  His practice is statewide. He has represented hundreds of indigent clients as an attorney with the Ramsey County Public Defenders office.  During law school, Pete worked in the Appellate Office of the State Public Defender drafting appellate briefs and motions for post conviction relief for dozens of clients.

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.

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.

Mark Horton

Mark Horton received his undergraduate degree from the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities and his J.D. from William Mitchell College of Law.  Mark is a lawyer who can assist you with DUI or DWI, estate planning, criminal defense, and civil litigation. He has offices throughout the Minneapolis St. Paul area and can provide services throughout Minnesota.

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.

A. Michael Kuehn

Michael is a lawyer in private practice in Richfield, MN, working mostly in Criminal Law and looking to expand into Wills and Trusts.   He also works as a part-time public defender in St. Paul, MN.  Michael graduated cum laude from William Mitchell College of Law in 2006. and holds a B.A. in Theater from the University of Minnesota, Twin Cities.  He began his own law practice in 2007.  In addition, he has worked for the Indian Legal Assistance Program, providing public defender services for the Mille Lacs band of Ojibwe in Mille Lacs County, Minnesota.

Christopher Kuhlman

Raised in Eden Prairie, Minnesota, Chris is the founder and principal attorney of the Law Offices of Christopher Kuhlman, PLLC. Prior to opening his firm, Chris worked as a U.S. District Court extern for Judge Lesley Brooks Wells, advocated on behalf of personal injury clients in London, and worked for several years as an associate at one of the nation's largest law firms; Robins, Kaplan, Miller & Ciresi.  Chris graduated cum laude with a B.A. degree from Colby College prior to graduating from the University of Chicago Law School with a Juris Doctor degree.

Daniel L. McGarry

Daniel practices law with McGarry Law Office in Roseville, MN.  He was admitted to the Bar in 2004 following his graduation with a J.D. from William Mitchell College of Law.  In addition to criminal law, Daniel practices in the areas of Real Estate Litigation, Family Law, Personal Injury, Construction Law, Criminal Law, Commercial Litigation and Estate & Probate Litigation.

Murad Mohammad

 Linda D. Morrison*