Hi, my name is Scott Rowland, an attorney here at Meuser, Yackley & Rowland, P.A. I represent individuals injured both at work and outside of work. I also represent Minnesota’s peace officers and firefighters in obtaining their disability benefits and healthcare under both PERA and MSRS.

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.

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.