Minnesota Lawyer Names SiebenCarey's Jeffrey Montpetit "2014 Attorney of the Year"
MINNEAPOLIS — December 23, 2014 — SiebenCarey today announced that Minnesota Lawyer has named Jeff Montpetit, a shareholder at the firm, one of its “2014 Attorneys of the Year.” Recipients of the annual Attorneys of the Year award are selected based on leadership in the profession and involvement in major cases. Montpetit was part of a trial team that also included attorneys Robert Bennett, Andrew Noel, and Katie Bennett of Gaskins Bennett Birrell Schupp LLP.
In 2014, the Kucera Trial Team filed a lawsuit against the Koochiching County Sheriff’s Department for the improper handling of a prisoner. While in custody, Kathryn Marie Schneider, a vulnerable young lady, committed suicide. Information from the Minnesota Department of Corrections showed that the Koochiching County Jail was, in this case, and had been non-compliant with the rules and policies regarding well-being checks during the department’s last three inspections of the facility. Further, the DOC determined: “actions taken to correct this deficiency have been inadequate for at least the past three years.”
The Koochiching County Sheriff’s Department failed to take appropriate precautions and safeguards to prevent Schneider’s death and the case was resolved affecting changes in the department’s jail policies and procedures and a $2 million settlement.
“It’s our mission at SiebenCarey to represent the rights of Minnesotans and ensure they receive the justice they deserve,” said Montpetit. “I am pleased with this outcome, which resulted in improvements to the Sheriff’s Department jail policies and procedures, and compensation for the loss of a mother, daughter, sister and friend.”
A graduate of the William Mitchell College of Law in 1998, Montpetit is a partner at SiebenCarey and is admitted to practice law in the States of Minnesota and Wisconsin, Minnesota Federal District Court, and the 8th Circuit Court of Appeals.
Montpetit will receive the Minnesota Lawyer award on February 19, 2015.
