Working with out-of-state law firms
A client's Minnesota dispute may require local counsel, additional litigation capacity, or a firm prepared to take responsibility for the case. MJB works with referring lawyers and lead counsel on business and banking litigation, with an agreed division of work and clear communication.
Our role may include reviewing Minnesota procedural requirements, assisting with pro hac vice admission where appropriate, preparing pleadings and motions, handling discovery, appearing at hearings, and participating in settlement or trial. The engagement should identify who is responsible for each task, how deadlines will be managed, and how counsel will communicate with the client.
The scope of local counsel's involvement must also satisfy the applicable court rules and professional obligations. It is not simply a signature or filing arrangement.
Minnesota counsel with a national professional presence
MJB Law is based in Minnesota, with a professional presence that extends to national banking and legal audiences. Matthew Bialick is scheduled to speak at the American Bankers Association's national Agricultural Bankers Conference on November 5, 2026. His speaking experience also includes national continuing legal education programs through BARBRI–Strafford in 2026 and Strafford in 2023, addressing farm and agribusiness lending, litigation, workouts and financial risk.
MJB served as Minnesota litigation counsel for Haley Kalil, coordinating with her regular New York attorney in a federal case that attracted national and international media coverage. Matthew Bialick and Karl Johnson handled the defense, obtaining dismissal of the privacy and unjust-enrichment claims in the district court. An appeal followed.
The firm’s bankruptcy practice also extends beyond Minnesota. Karl Johnson represented Cherry Butte Company, a North Dakota Subway franchisee, in a Chapter 11 case covered by TheStreet and Bloomberg Law. He is the author of the “Real Estate in Bankruptcy” chapter in Thomson Reuters’ Minnesota Practice Series.
For out-of-state law firms and financial institutions, that background complements MJB's Minnesota litigation practice and its work alongside existing counsel in lending disputes, creditor recovery and commercial litigation.
Minnesota representation for companies and in-house counsel
A business does not need an existing Minnesota law firm to contact us. If your company has been sued in Minnesota, needs to pursue a commercial claim, or faces a dispute involving Minnesota collateral or assets, MJB can evaluate the matter and discuss direct representation.
We can coordinate with your general counsel, legal department, or regular outside lawyers while handling the Minnesota litigation. The initial discussion should identify the business objective, any approaching deadline, the relevant agreements, and the practical consequences of pursuing or defending the case.
Business and financial disputes
Business and commercial litigation
Contract claims, commercial agreements, business fraud, ownership disputes, and other litigation affecting a company's operations, finances, or control. We represent businesses and owners pursuing claims and defending lawsuits.
Banking and creditors' rights
Disputes involving commercial loans, guarantees, collateral, loan participations, and creditor remedies. We work with financial institutions and their existing counsel on the legal and practical issues surrounding troubled credits and enforcement. We also assist equipment-finance companies and their attorneys with Minnesota equipment finance and leasing litigation.
Fraudulent transfers and asset recovery
Claims involving transferred property, diverted proceeds, and efforts to reach assets beyond the original debtor. The focus is on connecting the transaction record and available remedies with a practical recovery strategy.
Bankruptcy litigation
Contested bankruptcy matters involving businesses, owners, creditors, and trustees. When a Minnesota dispute intersects with bankruptcy, the litigation strategy must account for the bankruptcy proceeding and the relief available there.
First Amendment and privacy litigation
Disputes involving public statements, publication, privacy claims and asserted constitutional defenses. We can work with out-of-state lead counsel or discuss handling the Minnesota litigation directly.
Matthew Bialick's practice includes commercial and banking litigation. James Magnuson represents businesses and owners in commercial and shareholder disputes and is a contributing author to Shareholder Litigation and Advising Minnesota Corporations and Other Business Organizations. Karl Johnson handles bankruptcy litigation and contested financial matters, and Kyle Bear's experience includes commercial and agricultural banking disputes.
Representative litigation experience includes Matthew Bialick's work for Glenwood State Bank in litigation involving fraudulent transfers and successor liability, and for Bremer Bank in contested fraudulent-transfer litigation. These matters illustrate the substantive creditor-recovery experience that can support an engagement alongside existing counsel.
Pro hac vice admission and local-counsel responsibilities
An attorney's admission in another state does not automatically authorize an appearance in every Minnesota court. Minnesota state district courts and the U.S. District Court for the District of Minnesota have separate admission requirements.
For Minnesota state district-court matters, Rule 5 of the Minnesota General Rules of Practice governs appearances by out-of-state lawyers. Federal district-court admission is governed separately by District of Minnesota Local Rule 83.5. MJB can discuss the applicable process and the Minnesota counsel's responsibilities as part of evaluating a proposed engagement.
Admission remains subject to the court's requirements and approval. The relevant court and case should be identified before deciding the appropriate admission procedure.
Official admission information: Minnesota General Rule of Practice 5 · District of Minnesota attorney admissions
Questions about Minnesota local counsel
Can MJB work with our existing law firm?
Yes. We can work alongside out-of-state lead counsel or a company's regular lawyers. The engagement should define the division of responsibility, communication with the client, and the work MJB will handle, subject to the duties imposed on counsel by the applicable court.
Can you handle the Minnesota lawsuit directly?
Yes. Businesses and financial institutions can contact MJB directly to discuss representation in a Minnesota dispute. We can also coordinate with existing corporate counsel while taking responsibility for the litigation, depending on the matter and the agreed engagement.
Do you serve as local counsel in banking and commercial cases?
Yes. Our practice includes business and commercial litigation, banking and creditors' rights, asset recovery, and bankruptcy litigation. The appropriate attorney and scope of representation depend on the claims, forum, conflicts review, and needs of the case.
Can you assist with pro hac vice admission?
We can discuss assisting eligible out-of-state lawyers with the applicable admission process as part of a local-counsel engagement. State and federal courts have different requirements, and admission is subject to court approval. We first identify the court, case, and proposed responsibilities.
What should we provide for an initial discussion?
Start with the parties' names for a conflict check, the court and case number if a lawsuit has been filed, any approaching deadline, and a short description of the dispute and the role you need us to perform. Please arrange an appropriate method with the firm before sending confidential documents.
Discuss a Minnesota matter
Tell us whether you need local counsel working alongside your firm or direct representation for a business dispute. Identify any approaching deadline and the court involved so we can assess the proposed engagement.