OUR HISTORY
Brink Lawyers, P.A. was founded by Lyman Brink in 1934. Mr. Brink was a well-known litigator, prosecutor, and judge, whose professional career lasted until his death in 1972. During that time Mr. Brink served almost continuously as County Attorney for Kittson County. He was deeply involved in business pursuits sitting on a number of bank boards and was a regent for the University of Minnesota. Mr. Brink has been described as a “hard-nosed, tough as nails, personal injury litigator” who was and who is still well known throughout the entire Red River Valley region.
Photographs by Josh Lysne, The Fishing Foodie
COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT
For the attorneys and staff at BRINK, community is key. Our attorneys are committed to preserving and enhancing our quality of life in the northern Red River Valley and throughout the region. We also believe that serving our communities makes us better—better lawyers, better family members, better neighbors and friends, and better able to understand and meet the needs of our clients.
Members of the firm have a long history of public service. All of the attorneys have served as attorneys for Legal Services of Northwest Minnesota at different times in their careers.
Robert Albrecht was an assistant Kittson County Attorney for nearly thirty years until becoming the County Attorney starting in 2019. As a father of six kids, Bob has volunteered for numerous groups, organizing and fundraising for youth hockey, volleyball, basketball, football, robotics, and church activities, and also served on local civic groups such as the former Hallock Jaycees.
Jeffrey Hane currently serves as the President of the Kittson County Salvation Army and is a board member for Hallock Area Community Fund. He is a former Scoutmaster and former Committee Chairman for Hallock Troop 76. Jeff has served as an assistant county attorney continuously since 1996.
Outside of Kittson County, Jeff was appointed by Gov. Dayton to the Minnesota Board on Aging, serving from 2011-2017. He currently sits on the board of directors for Legal Services of Northwest Minnesota where he has served for over twenty years.
In addition, BRINK LAWYERS has provided support to the following groups or activities: Area I Envirothon, Tri County Schools After Prom Party, SAC Schools After Prom Party, Roseau Schools Prom Party, Violence Intervention Project, KCC Bearcats Booster Club, Two Rivers Golf Club, the Shrine Circus, Lancaster Schools Yearbook, Kittson Central Schools Yearbook, Lancaster FCCLA, the Jerry Wilson Memorial Run, Argyle Parks & Recreation Golf Tournament, Kittson Memorial “Score Fore,” Wojo’s Greenbush Rodeo, CMC Project Future (Newfest), Bronson Fest, Hallock Arena, Hallock Curling Club, Stephen Curling Club, Grasshopper Run/Ride/Roll, Lancaster Schools Robotics, Kittson County Health Fair, Minnesota Deer Hunters Association, Karlstad Fire Department, Kittson County Historical Society, Lancaster Lions, Hallock Firemen’s Relief, KCC Booster’s Club, KCC Junior Class (magazine drive), KCC Robotics and Kittson County Salvation Army.
In October of 2018, Dennis Sobolik retired as the senior shareholder. Dennis was born in Fordville, North Dakota, attended UND Law School after serving in the Army and was first admitted to the practice in 1959. He actively practiced law for nearly sixty years. Mr. Sobolik served as Kittson County Attorney for 20 years. Locally, he served on or supported numerous boards and community organizations, including the Kittson County Fair, the Kittson County Hospital, and Grace Lutheran Church.
Outside of the county, Dennis was also deeply involved in service. Among his many involvements, he served 12 years on the Board of Governors for the Minnesota State Bar Association and also served as a regent for Gustavus Adophus College. Mr. Sobolik is a talented litigator and was deeply involved in banking and all aspects of agribusiness for his entire career. He litigated cases in many state and federal courts across the United States, and provided wise guidance to businesses all over the region. He received numerous awards recognizing his trial skills and service to the profession.
STAFF
The legal assistants with BRINK LAWYERS have exceptional experience and a broad base of knowledge to support our attorneys and serve our clients. Together they have well over 100 years of experience on legal matters. You can count on them for proper forms, timely filings, and attention to deadlines and detail.
Janelle
Started working at BRINK LAWYERS on May 1, 1979, mainly working as a legal assistant to attorneys Roger C. Malm and Robert M. Albrecht. Her primary focus has been personal injury litigation, real estate transactions, estate planning, probate administration, and general practice matters. She has also administered the firm’s billing system for about 20 years, and most recently has also been an assistant to an attorney working with family law and personal injury litigation. On top of all of this, Janelle has been the primary staff member for the Kittson County Attorney on criminal prosecution matters. When not working, Janelle is often playing keyboard for the Popple Ridge Pickers, busy at church, or traveling with her husband to see their children and grandchildren. Like Karen and Jane, Janelle also has a farm background.
Jane
Began her employment with BRINK in 2003. Jane is the primary coordinator of most real estate closings and title insurance matters. She is also responsible for payroll, pension, insurance, and office management duties. Jane is a wife, mother, and grandmother. When she is not playing with her grandchildren or driving between locations, Jane also enjoys being with family or hiding at the lake.
Miranda
Joined BRINK LAWYERS, P.A. in October 2019 as a Legal Assistant. She primarily assists Attorney Jeffrey W. Hane, focusing on criminal prosecution, estate planning, probate, business entities, guardianship/conservatorships, real estate, and various litigation matters. Outside of the firm, Miranda can be found engaging in creative hobbies like photography, or spending time with her nephew.
SCHOLARSHIP OPPORTUNITIES
LAW SCHOOL SCHOLARSHIPS
($500 per semester, $1,000 total annually for UND School of Law)
($500 per semester, $1,000 total annually for a Minnesota law student)
BRINK LAWYERS PA, provides two scholarships each semester to qualified law students, one for UND School of Law students and one for students attending any Minnesota law school.
These scholarships recognize the current serious crises of lack of representation (especially for the poor and underserved) in the Northern Valley caused by the slow decline in the number of attorneys. In our rural area, as current attorneys retire or otherwise leave practice, fewer and fewer young attorneys come to replace them. One goal of these scholarships is to support prospective attorneys who might be inclined to consider practicing in the Northern Valley.
Current law students attending the UND School of Law or a Minnesota law school are eligible to apply if they have successfully completed at least one semester of law school and are otherwise in good standing.
Preference will be given to students who currently are (or previously were) residents of Kittson, Marshall, Roseau, Pembina, Cavalier, or Walsh counties (the “Northern Valley”), or who can demonstrate some family, spouse or other connection to the Northern Valley.
Secondary criteria for applicant evaluation include interest in rural practice, service to the rural community, practical legal experience, and overall scholarship. (Scholarship will be considered only if applicants are deemed to be otherwise equal in other criteria.)
One $500 scholarship will be awarded in November for the Spring semester, and each April and November thereafter. A successful applicant may re-apply for one or more subsequent awards through their final semester.
Applicants should supply a brief application letter (no more than two pages) clearly addressed “NORTHERN VALLEY SCHOLARSHIP” setting forth their current law school enrollment and their: 1) ties to the Northern Valley; 2) career goals; 3) service to the rural community; 4) practical legal experience; and 5) overall scholarship. Applicants are encouraged to attach a brief resume (no more than one page) to supplement the application letter. Applicants should not include any data that might reveal their gender, age, race, ethnicity, religious affiliation, or sexual orientation.
Please submit your application letter to Jeffrey W. Hane at BRINK LAWYERS PA, 234 Birch Ave. So., Hallock, MN 56728, or by email at jeff.hane@brinklawyers.com. To receive funding for the Spring semester, all application letters must be received by 4:30 p.m. on November 15th. To receive funding for the Fall semester, all application letters must be received by 4:30 p.m. on March 22nd.
CAREERS
ATTORNEYS
If you want a legal arena described as challenging work, excellent clients, and a vibrance of community, we invite you to contact us. At Brink Lawyers, you'll be mentored by attorneys who have been recognized as top attorneys in major publications throughout the country. You'll be encouraged to contribute both as a lawyer and as a leader in the communities where we live and the national and international markets where our personal injury clients and businesses are located. You'll find a firm that works with you to build your skills and grow your legal practice as well allows you to live a life outside of the office.
We believe that our success derives from a culture that emphasizes teamwork and compassion. Attorneys at Brink Lawyers come from all different areas of North Dakota and Minnesota and have diverse practice. We office together, working down the hall from one another and thus allowing each person to bounce ideas off the other.
What we offer:
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A diverse practice.
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Flexibility in hours, so you can attend child/family events.
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A cafeteria plan for payment of medical/dental expenses with pre-tax dollars.
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An opportunity to participate in a 401(k) plan.
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Potential reimbursement of some moving expenses.
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Reimbursement of associates for their annual attorney licensing fee, membership in the state and local bar association and the costs of Continuing Legal Education course requirements
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Collegial atmosphere and face-to-face mentoring. You won't be e-mailing your colleagues!
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Reasonable work schedule.
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Salary plus bonus at the end of each year (depending on our success and your progress).
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No initial billable hour requirements. (Targets may be set after you get your feet wet.)
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Wonderful opportunities for hunting and fishing.
HALLOCK/KITTSON COUNTY
We're only 75 minutes from Lake-of-the-Woods, the state's premier walleye fishery, 75 minutes from Grand Forks, home to shopping, recreation, the University of North Dakota, and world class Division I hockey. 90 minutes away from Winnipeg, an international city graced with art, music, and recreation, and home to seven different malls.
For you, forget your rush hour commute! Here in Minnesota's great northwest, you'll find limited traffic and a chance to drive without stress or gridlock. For your children, our schools enjoy small classes, so students receive plenty of individual attention, and opportunities are great for participation in athletics and other extra-curricular activities. Plus, our schools and towns are safe with little significant crime.
SECRETARIES & PARALEGALS
At Brink Lawyers we treat our secretaries and paralegals as equals and with respect. We do our best to work around scheduling conflicts with family, and we provide a general schedule of between 37 and 40 hours per week, fit into the hours of 8:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m.
What we offer:
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A cafeteria plan for payment of medical/dental expenses with pre-tax dollars.
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An opportunity to participate in a 401(k) savings plan.
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Reasonable work schedule.
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Friendly and experienced secretaries and paralegals who will help you in your transition.
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Paid vacation.
Interested? Email your cover letter and resume to Jeffrey Hane at contact@brinklawyers.com. Please no phone calls. If we are not hiring you will receive an email response and the firm will keep your contact information for 1 year.
JOB OPENING: RECEPTIONIST/TYPIST
We are currently taking resumes for a permanent full-time position, hours 8-5, M-F. Must have solid English skills, learn quickly, be friendly, work well with others, pay attention to details and be organized. Salary commensurate with experience and training. Mail or deliver resumes to: Brink Lawyers PA, P.O. Box 790, 234 Birch Ave. S., Hallock, MN 56728 or email to Jeff Hane.
The "Careers" section of this website displays information which is subject to change and does not represent an offer of employment. Interested parties should inquire as to current openings and terms.