HARVEY & CARPENTER - Key Persons

Chris is a graduate of Hamline University and Mitchell Hamline School of Law. His current practice areas include workers compensation and social security disability. However, he began his career representing individuals in a variety of personal injury matters. Often, injuries or disabilities involve more than one area of law and his prior experience helps navigate the interplay between multiple areas of law. He is a member of the Minnesota State Bar Association and the Minnesota Association for Justice. Chris is active in the community, coaching youth hockey and baseball. He also serves on the leadership committee of Connect with Community, a local non-profit engaged in helping young professionals gain valuable experience through community involvement. HE IS ADMITTED TO PRACTICE IN: Minnesota United States Federal Court, District of Minnesota

Chris is a 1994 graduate of Jamestown College (Summa Cum Laude) and a 1997 graduate of William Mitchell College of Law (Magna Cum Laude). Chris has spent his entire career helping disabled or injured individuals. When practicing Workers' Compensation law, he only represents injured workers and never represents insurance companies or employers. Chris uses his knowledge and experience to guide you through each step taken on your case and inform you of all available options. He is a strong and well-respected advocate who is a leading attorney in the fields of Workers Compensation and Social Security. He is member of the Sixth District Bar Association having served as President, Vice-President and Secretary/Treasurer. He is also an active member of the Minnesota Association for Justice. Chris is admitted to practice law in both state and federal courts. His primary areas of focus are: Chris Carpenter obtained a $57,000 settlement for a client who had a heart attack at work. The insurer denied her claim as she had two heart attacks before starting this job and had many other health issues. About a year later he also helped her with her social security case and was able to get her benefits that dated all the way back to the date of her heart attack.

Ruth received her law degree from the University of Minnesota and has been helping injured and disabled clients since 1980. Sometimes your injury or disability could involve more than one area of law and Ruth knows how these work together. She knows what steps need to be taken to make sure your rights are not endangered. She is active in the Minnesota State Bar Association and past chair of the Civil Litigation Section. Ruth has published articles in professional journals, including helping a committee rewrite Minnesota Jury Instructions for Civil Trials. In our community, Ruth served on and chaired the United Way Board; was a member of the YWCA Board of Directors and Trustees; and served on the Boy Scouts Twin Valley Council. In 2004 she received the "Woman of Distinction" award from the YWCA. She practices in the following areas of law: Ruth Harvey secured a sizeable settlement for a client on Medical Assistance and Bob Chesley was able to protect the proceeds with a Special Needs Trust. Although the trust was challenged by the Department of Human Services, Bob was successful in protecting the trust in court. The result of this workers' compensation case is a much-improved quality of life for our client in that she now can get better and receive more care in her nursing home while still qualifying for Medical Assistance. She now has access to more frequent baths and she is able to be in a larger room with a more accessible bathroom. She also has cable TV and can get personal services such as having her hair washed and styled. Although she couldn't take her dog to the nursing home she is able to have the dog visit her with the care for her dog being funded from the trust.