Michael E. Molenda

Michael E. Molenda

  • Retired
Michael E. Molenda

“Be always sure you are right – then go ahead.” ~ Davy Crockett

Areas Of Practice

Honors

  • Super Lawyer in Family Law, 2004 – Present

Bar Admissions

  • Minnesota
  • Wisconsin
  • U.S. District Court District of Minnesota

Education

  • William Mitchell College of Law, St. Paul, Minnesota
    • J.D. – 1982
    • Honors: cum laude
  • University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota
    • M.Ed. – 1975
  • University of Wisconsin-La Crosse, La Crosse, Wisconsin
    • B.A. – 1972
    • Honors: With Honors
    • Major: Physical Education

Ancillary Businesses

  • Swimming and Diving Officiating

Litigation

100%

  • Phi Sigma Epsilon

Mike was born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin in 1950. He grew up in the Milwaukee suburb of Greenfield where he attended high school and participated in swimming, golf, and drama. After high school, Mike attended the University of Wisconsin – La Crosse where he continued to swim and where he met his wife Linda.

Upon graduating from UW-La Crosse, he accepted a position as a physical education teacher at Rosemount Middle School; he also served as head swimming coach for Rosemount High School. He served in both of these roles until 1978 when he left coaching and pursued a law degree from William Mitchell College of Law in St. Paul. Mike graduated from law school, cum laude, in 1982.

Mike currently practices in the areas of family law, criminal law, and personal injury. He also serves as a mediator, parenting time expeditor, parenting consultant and Early Neutral Evaluator in the family law area.

When he is not at work, Mike enjoys golfing and traveling with his wife of 41 years, Linda. They have a daughter, son-in-law, and two grandsons. Mike is very active in the International Association of Lions Clubs, serving as club president, District Governor for the Lions Clubs in Ramsey, Dakota and Washington Counties in 2010-2011 and as Counsel Chairperson for the Lions Clubs in Minnesota, Manitoba and Northwest Ontario in 2011-2012.

Representative Cases

  • Chief City Prosecutor for the City of Apple Valley, Minnesota since 1983
  • City Attorney for Coates, Minnesota since 1993
  • Appointed as guardian ad litem by Dakota County District Court judges in approximately 100 cases before State-wide guardian ad litem program went into effect
  • Airlake Aero Flying Club, Inc
  • Legal Aid of Dakota County, 1983 to Present
  • Legal Advisor to the Minnesota Lions Vision and Hearing Foundations, 2006 to Present
  • Minnesota Association for Justice, Member 1983 – Present
  • Minnesota State Bar Association, Member
  • Dakota County Bar Association, Member
  • American Bar Association, Member
  • Minnesota State Bar Association, Past Governor, 2003 – 2009
  • First Judicial District Bar Association, Member
  • Rosemount Lions Club
  • Minnesota Lions Eye Bank, Inc., Past Chairman of and current Legal Advisor to the Board of Directors. The Minnesota Lions Eye Bank, Inc., encourages cornea donations following death and processes the donated corneas to exacting federal standards. The corneas are used to return the gift of sight to individuals in need of corneal transplants
  • Hastings Chamber of Commerce, Member
  • Apple Valley Chamber of Commerce , Three-year Member of Board of Directors
  • Airplane Owners and Pilots Association, AOPA, Member