Timothy D. Lees - Edina, MN
Attorney at Lees Family Law, Ltd.
Family Law Lawyers in Edina, MN
7650 Edinborough Way Suite 100 Edina, MN 55435
- Free Consultation
- 1 Super Lawyers®
-
33
Years
Experience
Edina Family Law Lawyer
Updated: 05/07/2026
Areas of Practice
- Family Law 95%
- Appeals 5%
Litigation: 75%
Attorney Information
Overview
Timothy Lees earned his undergraduate degree from Gustavus Adolphus College in 1989, and graduated cum laude from William Mitchell College of Law in 1993. Mr. Lees is licensed to practice in the State of Minnesota, U.S. District Court, and the Courts of the Prairie Island Mdewakanton Dakota Community, and the Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux (Dakota) Community. Mr. Lees is a member of the Minnesota State Bar Association and Ramsey County Bar Association. Since 1994 he has engaged in private practice, and has been named by his peers as a Rising Star and as a Super Lawyer. He has significant successful trial and appellate experience.
Timothy Lees believes that, at its core, the divorce process must be seen as damage control: Minimize the damage to your finances; minimize the damage to your children; and minimize the impact that the divorce will have on your life going forward. Accordingly, settlement should be pursued at the earliest opportunity in the proceedings. This presumes, of course, that both sides are willing to come to the table, make full disclosure, and truly desire settlement. Resolving issues via negotiated agreement allows you to have input and participate in the decisions that will affect you and your family, versus requiring the Court to make these decisions based on a trial where the Court cannot possibly learn everything that is important regarding you and your family. Mr. Lees likes to say that resolving a case through negotiation allows you to divide your property with a scalpel, whereas the Court may resolve it with a meat cleaver. Not all cases need be a war. In fact, most divorce cases are resolved by settlement.
However, Mr. Lees also recognizes that there are cases that cannot be settled, and that litigation and trial are at times necessary. The difficult issues which tend to reach trial include spousal maintenance, child custody, complex property cases, and nonmarital claims. Mr. Lees is very comfortable yet dynamic in the courtroom, and understands that results are garnered by a clean, neat, and cogent presentation of the evidence.
Awards and Honors
Honors
- Law and Politics Rising Star
- Law and Politics Super Lawyer
Other Sources of Feedback About Timothy D. Lees
Included on the 2026Minnesota Super Lawyers list
Past Lists
- 2025 Minnesota Super Lawyers list
- 2024 Minnesota Super Lawyers list
- 2023 Minnesota Super Lawyers list
- 2022 Minnesota Super Lawyers list
- 2021 Minnesota Super Lawyers list
- 2003 Minnesota Super Lawyers list
- 2002 Minnesota Super Lawyers list
- 1999 Minnesota Super Lawyers list
Education
-
Legal Education
-
William Mitchell College of Law,
St. Paul,
Minnesota, 1993
J.D.
Honors: cum laude
-
William Mitchell College of Law,
St. Paul,
Minnesota, 1993
-
Non Legal Education
-
Gustavus Adolphus College,
St. Peter,
Minnesota, 1989
B.A., Bachelor of Arts
Major: Economics and Scandinavian Studies
-
Gustavus Adolphus College,
St. Peter,
Minnesota, 1989
Current Employment Position(s)
-
Sole Practitioner
Past Positions
- Hennek Klaenhammer & Lees, P.A., Shareholder, 1999 - 2014
- Lawrence D. Olson & Associates, P.A., Associate, 1996 - 1999
Classes and Seminars
- Family Court Orders, Minnesota Association of Sheriffs, 2014 - Present
Pro Bono Activities
- Ramsey County Self-Help Legal Clinic, 2012 - Present
Representative Cases
-
Youker v. Youker
- Citation: 661 N.W.2d 266
- Court: Minn. Ct. App
- Year: 2003
-
Tressler v. Tressler
- Citation: CX-02-1861
- Court: Minn. Ct. App
- Year: 2003
-
Geske v. Marcolina
- Citation: 624 N.W.2d 813
- Court: Minn. Ct. App.
- Year: 2001
Bar Admissions
- Minnesota, 1993
- U.S. District Court District of Minnesota, 2000
- Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux (Dakota) Tribal Court, 2001
- Prairie Island Indian Community Tribal Court
Other Affiliations
- Minnesota State Bar Association (Member)
- Ramsey County Bar Association (Member)
Reviews
-
Verified ClientHired Attorney 2015Tim was an incredible resource to me during a long and difficult divorce process. He was kind, thorough, and professional every step of the way. I cannot recommend him or his services highly enough!
Contact
7650 Edinborough Way
Suite 100
Edina, MN 55435
Fax: 651-222-7989
Email: Send a message
Hours: 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Evening and weekend appointments are available
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