HOWSE AND THOMPSON, P.A. - Key Persons
April joined Howse & Thompson in May 2021, to practice estate and gift planning, related real estate, business succession, corporate law, planning, funding, and administering gifts in trust or through probate administrations. Immediately prior to joining Howse & Thompson, she spent three years in a family office serving one of Minnesota's longest-established families of wealth, after several years in private practice as a solo attorney. She is a member of the Minnesota State Bar, including its elder law and estates and trusts sections, and has served on the Board of Minnesota Christian Legal Society for seven years and counting.
Craig has represented and counseled numerous family businesses in both their business and commercial matters as well in their business succession planning. He appreciates and enjoys the dynamics of business, and particularly the multi-generational aspects of family businesses. His background and experience gives him the ability to weave both business and estate planning into workable solutions for his clients to preserve the family business and family relationships while minimizing or eliminating the estate tax consequences of succession planning.
Craig has also worked on numerous commercial transactions ranging from the acquisition of downtown office buildings and hotels to development properties. His background in accounting provides him a strong perspective on finance and business and is a unique advantage to clients. Craig has also represented many non-profit organizations in organizational and transactional matters. He understands the integration of mission and operation and enjoys furthering the objectives of ministries through legal counsel.
As part of his transactional practice, Craig has significant experience in representing clients before governmental boards and commissions on zoning and land use applications. This included representing clients on land use issues in State and Federal Court. Craig has prosecuted and defended these cases in MN State and Federal District Court, the Minnesota Court of Appeals, and the Minnesota Supreme Court, as well as MN Tax Court.
Jeff Thompson primarily represents and advises clients in family law issues and in civil and real estate litigation. Jeff is a family law mediator, listed on the Minnesota State Neutral Roster, having become a qualified neutral under Rule 114 of the Minnesota General Rules of Practice for Family Law Matters. Jeff has also advised and provided representation for contractors, small business owners and other individuals in a variety of litigation, contract and related matters and in estate planning.
Prior to the 2002 start of Howse & Thompson, P.A., Jeff was an associate with Vest & Howse, P.A., in Brooklyn Center, and worked for the City of St. Paul, Minnesota, as a criminal prosecutor.
Jeff lives in Big Lake, Minnesota, He is married and enjoys time with his children, step-children, and grand-children.