One question I want to address today is what is the process like when you come in to consult with myself or another attorney at Meuser, Yackley & Rowland if you are a police officer or firefighter or other first responder that is concerned that they may be experiencing symptoms consistent with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). I have heard from clients over the years many times that they considered calling me and it took them months to gather the courage to do so. For what it’s worth I want to assure you that my goal at the end of a consultation with an individual that is concerned about symptoms consistent with PTSD my goal is to try to give you some reassurance that things are going to be OK. That is the only objective I have during those initial consultations.

There are many ways to win an argument. Oftentimes, an experienced attorney will make arguments “in the alternative” to increase the probability of winning.

Successfully arguing, in the alternative, at the Minnesota Supreme Court

When I argued before the Minnesota Supreme Court in January, 2020 (see below), I argued four alternative perspectives to put my client in the best position to win her case, and to ensure the best outcome for future cases affected by the Court’s decision.

Forward by Ron Meuser, Jr. 

Jen Yackley & I originally met with Dana (who wrote the story below in 2019), her husband Ed and his service dog Rex to hear their story and learn how I can help. They founded an organization called Soldier’s 6 whose mission is to provide honorably discharged veterans, police officers, and firefighters with specially trained K-9 dogs. The support they provide these brave individuals is nothing short of amazing and, unfortunately, very needed. We hear from our police officer & firefighter clients with PTSD that the suffering doesn’t end when the job is over and many don’t want the job to end. Dana and Ed’s story is very real, heartbreaking, and a reminder that we must be continuously supportive in any way we can. Please join Meuser, Yackley & Rowland, P.A. in supporting this worthy organization by going to https://www.soldiers6.com/how-can-i-help.

My husband has been a Minneapolis Police Officer for 14 years. Through the highs and lows of it all, I have been infinitely proud of his character, resilience, and sense of duty. This life takes a toll on you. To be frank, this is not the lifestyle I would have chosen on my own. Every day, my husband walks out the door and I tell him to be safe. Then I say a prayer asking for him to just come home after work. This life is incredibly hard. Now, it’s even harder. If you’re reading this, I don’t need to tell you that our lives have changed, quite literally, overnight.