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Bemidji Personal Injury Lawyer
Overview
I was born in Jamestown, North Dakota, where my dad grew up. We moved to a suburb of Minneapolis in 1962 when I was 5. My dad was a blue-collar tradesman who could do anything from build large commercial buildings to fine furniture to rebuild engines. So I grew up around that stuff. We bought a fishing resort in the fall of 1972 and moved to Northern Minnesota. Hard work and long days in season but we met so many people from the 5-state area who stayed at the resort and became long-term friends. I graduated from Bemidji High School in 1976 and went to college only to play football. No plan for what I wanted to do. A fellow defensive back told me to go into Industrial Education because "you get to work on all the machines" - so that is what I did. The student teaching experience left me second guessing a teaching career. Got married in 1979 after playing in the homecoming game. My wife was headed into teaching. An uncle, who was a lawyer, was back to my parent's resort and after discussing my lack of desire to teach he told me to go to law school and he would give me a job. So, by mere happenstance I went to law school, graduating from the University of North Dakota School of Law in 1985. My wife Diane and I raised our 4 children in the Bemidji area. Diane retired from teaching about 6 years ago and spends much time with our 6 grandchildren. We have just completed a new home on a lovely chain of lakes and love lake living. In October 2000 I attended Gerry Spence's Trial Lawyers College (famed Wyoming trial attorney), am past president of the Minnesota Association of Justice and frequent presenter on and have written extensively on all aspects of trial skills. For about 10 years I have studied significantly in the field of neuro-linguistics and neuro-semantics and breaking down every aspect of trial practice from presence to story structure to semantic use of space in the courtroom. My practice is limited to personal injury with much emphasis on product liability. I am licensed in Minnesota, North Dakota, Alaska, Red Lake Nation and Leech Lake tribal courts.
The relationship you form with your lawyer is the difference that makes a difference. The insurance adjusters sense the difference, and the jurors see the difference. When we know your story we can tell your story in a way that the felt sense is that of a lived experience. That is what it motivates the adjuster or jurors to act make it right. That is true justice.
About Gary M. Hazelton
Current Employment Position(s)
- Founder
Practice Areas
- Personal Injury
Litigation
- 100%
Qualifications
Bar Admissions
- Minnesota, 1985
- North Dakota, 1985
- U.S. District Court District of Minnesota, 1985
- U.S. District Court District of North Dakota, 1986
- Red Lake Nation Tribal Court
- Court of the White Earth Band of Chippewa
Specialties and Certifications
- MSBA Board Certified Civil Trial Specialist
Other Affiliations
- Minnesota State Bar Association
- Minnesota Association for Justice
- Minnesota Association for Justice (Board of Governors)
- Minnesota Association for Justice (Executive Committee)
- Minnesota Association for Justice, 2012 - 2013 (Treasurer)
- Minnesota Association for Justice, 2013 - 2014 (Secretary)
- Gerry Spence’s Trial Lawyers College (F-Warriors Board Member )
- Halpern Group – Litigation Advisory Board
- American Association for Justice
- Anishinabe Legal Services (Past Board of Directors & Chair)
- The Minnesota Association of Justice (Past President)
Classes and Seminars
- An Independent Examination of the Independent Examiner MTLA Mid-winter Convention, 1999
- Snowmobile Liability MTLA spring, 1999
- Check it out: Does the Medical Literature Really say what the Adverse Examiner says it says? MTLA Annual Convention, 2000
- Medical Records Documentation Numerous, Minnesota Chiropractic Association, 2001
- Medical Records Documentation Minnesota Chiropractic Association Spring Convention, 2001
- Voir Dire Laboratory – Jury Selection Demonstration Minnesota Trial Lawyers Association February, 2003
- Damages Workshop – Course Chair Minnesota Trial Lawyers Association March, 2003
- Voir Dire Laboratory – Jury Selection Demonstration 2004 Minnesota Trial Lawyers Assoc. Annual Convention
- Anatomy of a Personal Injury Trial - "Direct Examination of Lay Witnesses" Minnesota Trial Lawyers Assoc. February 2005
- Dram Shop & Liquor Liability – Course Chair – Lectures: “Claims for Furnishing Alcohol to Minors” & “Undermining the Defense Toxicologist and Bartender/Staff on Cross Examination – Minnesota Trial Lawyers Assoc. April 2005
- Getting Your Evidence and Expert Testimony Admitted Into Court in North Dakota, June 2005
- Minnesota Motor Vehicle Crash Seminar – MLTA - Multiple
Past Positions
- Cann, Haskell, D'Albani, Schueppert, Hazelton & Rodgers, 1993 - 1999
- Durnaske & Hazelton Law Offices, Partner, 1987 - 1993
Education
- University of North Dakota School of Law, Grand Forks, North Dakota, 1985
J.D. - Bemidji State University, Bemidji, North Dakota, 1980
B.S. Industrial Education
Major: Construction - Bemidji High School, 1976
Fees
Accepts Credit Cards
Articles
Published Works
- Three part series on jury selection for The Warrior – Publication of Gerry Spence’s Trial Lawyers College, 2002 – 2003
- The Minnesota Motor Vehicle Accident Book – Straight Answers for the Injured and their Families – Word Association Publishers, 2010
- The Minnesota Liquor Liability Book – Legal Remedies when Bars Overserve Drunk Drivers – Word Association Publishers, 2010
- Wolf in Sheep’s Clothing – What your Insurance Company Doesn’t Want you to Know and Won’t Tell you Until it is too Late – Celebrity Press Publishing, 2010
Office Information
Address
110 Mag Seven Ct SWSuite 100 Bemidji, MN 56601
Phone
Websites
Achievements
Other Sources of Feedback About Gary M. Hazelton
Included on the 2024 Minnesota Super Lawyers list
Past Lists
- 2023 Minnesota Super Lawyers list
- 2022 Minnesota Super Lawyers list
- 2021 Minnesota Super Lawyers list
- 2020 Minnesota Super Lawyers list
- 2019 Minnesota Super Lawyers list
- 2018 Minnesota Super Lawyers list
- 2017 Minnesota Super Lawyers list
- 2016 Minnesota Super Lawyers list
- 2015 Minnesota Super Lawyers list
- 2014 Minnesota Super Lawyers list
- 2013 Minnesota Super Lawyers list
- 2012 Minnesota Super Lawyers list
- 2011 Minnesota Super Lawyers list
- 2010 Minnesota Super Lawyers list
- 2009 Minnesota Super Lawyers list
- 2008 Minnesota Super Lawyers list
- 2005 Minnesota Super Lawyers list
- 2003 Minnesota Super Lawyers list
Honors
- Selected as a Minnesota SuperLawyer 18 times - 2003, 2005, 2008-2023.
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