Wilkerson Hegna Kavanaugh & Johnston, PLLP

WILKERSON, HEGNA, KAVANAUGH & JOHNSTON

Attorneys at Law

Real Estate • Business • Litigation

Our Services

Real Estate

Wilkerson, Hegna, Kavanaugh & Johnston, PLLP handles all matters relating to real estate, including acquisition, financing, development, leasing and sale.

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Business

For more than 25 years, Wilkerson, Hegna, Kavanaugh & Johnston, PLLP has offered our clients a broad range of business services, including startup services, compliance and acquisitions.

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Litigation

Wilkerson, Hegna, Kavanaugh & Johnston, PLLP has experience with a wide range of litigation, but we also search for the solution that best suits the client, such as offering guidance through mediation, arbitration, or other alternative dispute resolution options to resolve a dispute.

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More Services

In addition to Real Estate, Business and Litigation, Wilkerson, Hegna, Kavanaugh & Johnston, PLLP represents a diverse group of individuals and businesses in all areas of commercial law, including regulatory actions, employment law, and insurance coverage.

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About Us

Wilkerson, Hegna, Kavanaugh & Johnston, PLLP opened its doors in 1989 when Gary Wilkerson and Kyle Hegna joined forces to provide legal resources that would focus on both litigation and the critical day-to-day transactional issues impacting businesses. Gary and Kyle remained partners of the firm until 2014 when Gary retired and Chris Johnston and Morgan Kavanaugh became partners. Kyle and Gary’s legacy of hard work, advocacy and fairness will continue to live on as the guide of Wilkerson, Hegna, Kavanaugh & Johnston, PLLP for years to come.

Unlike other large “full service” law firms, Wilkerson, Hegna, Kavanaugh & Johnston, PLLP has purposefully remained small in size so as to ensure that each client receives the highest level of attention and service. Our small yet enthusiastic team provides legal services in the areas of general real estate law, construction law, eminent domain, general business law, landlord and tenant, entity formation, and property acquisition.

From the small business owner to the nationally recognized property developer, we represent you based on your unique goals and needs. Our attorneys know one case or business deal can make the difference. At Wilkerson, Hegna, Kavanaugh & Johnston, PLLP, we’re committed to making that difference for you.

Our Attorneys

Christopher J. Johnston

Morgan W. Kavanaugh

Anne M. Haslerud

Todd J. Baumgartner

Jeffery W. Jacobs

Gary C. Wilkerson

Our litigation team is focused on more than just cookie-cutter ideas and results. Instead, we are aggressive and sensible attorneys with an eye for creative solutions designed specifically for each client. From real estate matters to business related lawsuits, we have the experience and the know how to resolve your legal disputes and concerns.

We are also fully equipped to assist you with your real estate and business needs. Our transaction attorneys provide personalized plans to achieve your business and investment objectives. Our years of transactional experience combined with our attention to detail and our attentiveness to the desires of our clients have made us a highly demanded firm for businesses.

Our attorneys serve clients in Minneapolis, St. Paul, Bloomington to Brooklyn Park, Minnetonka to Maplewood and throughout Minnesota.

See our former leaders here.

Testimonials

Our clients expect creative solutions and higher standards. Clients have consistently returned to Wilkerson, Hegna, Kavanaugh & Johnston, PLLP for business and personal needs because our attorneys are highly skilled in their respective areas of practice.

“Thank you again for representing me as my lawyer and having me as a client. Knowledge of the law can be quite confusing and scary, but you have been very patient in taking care of matters, making me feel confident and assured.”

“Thank you for all your help and patience. It is nice to have this situation behind us so we can move on with life. Once again thank you for all your help.”

FAQ

What is your process to file a lawsuit?
Do you need to file a lawsuit related to a business or real estate matter? The service-oriented litigators at Wilkerson, Hegna, Kavanaugh & Johnston, PLLP, located in Edina act on your behalf as follows:
1. We demonstrate to the defendant that you are serious. Sometimes litigation can be avoided through a settlement.
2. The legal system requires that a successful lawsuit follow formal procedures and adhere to certain deadlines. Do not wait to file a lawsuit against the offending party. We act to preserve your rights.
3. Know the strengths and weaknesses of your case to determine if a settlement should be accepted. If not, we gather evidence to increase the strength of your claim during the pre-trial period.
4. Determine the optimal legal remedy. Winning isn’t enough. We consider all the players involve and help you decide who to file a lawsuit against. Then, we pursue the most effective solution considering time, cost and chance of a successful outcome.
5. Our trial lawyers will guide your case through the legal system. If necessary, we negotiate the appeal process and pursue enforcement of the court’s award.
View the professional bio of Christopher Johnston.
Can you help with real estate transactions?
An attorney guides the title transfer process by reviewing the title and recommending appropriate title insurance to mitigate title risks. Insurance coverage is negotiable and can be maximized to the owner’s advantage by eliminating exceptions to coverage (which an insurance company will automatically include to serve its own interests), but also by requesting policy endorsements.

Clear title is a critical goal of buyers, sellers and lenders. Beyond title issues, we help buyers and sellers of commercial and residential real estate achieve their objectives and long-term goals for their real estate investments. We assist brokers and mortgage lenders in meeting the needs of their clients. Real estate professionals, such as developers, real estate investors, landlords, tenants and contractors rely on our industry knowledge and guidance to conduct business. Our practice areas include:
- Clearing Title Insurance Issues (i.e. Title Commitment, Exceptions and Title Risks)
- Negotiations with Municipal Authorities and Zoning Agencies
- Conducting loan closings on behalf of buyers and sellers
- Title issues pre-closing and post-closing
- Commercial and Residential Leases for Landlord and Tenant
- Covenants, Conditions and Restrictions
- Closing Documents, Loan Documents and Deed Transfer
- Easements and Common Area Agreements
- Clearing liens for materials and labor supplied
- Drafting lien releases
- Real Estate Investment and Development
- Homeowner Associations
- Negotiating disputes with landlords and tenants
- Mechanic’s Liens
View the professional bio of Morgan Kavanaugh, a member of the Minnesota State Bar Association Real Property Section.
Do you represent parties in commercial real estate disputes?
We represent parties involved in all variety of commercial real estate disputes. Initiating litigation on your behalf includes thorough preparation and demonstration of intent to go to trial. From pre-trial to trial we aggressively pursue accomplishment of your objective. Although we have a history of successful trial outcomes, we also have experience with the post-trial appeal process. Our practice areas includes:
- Investors, shareholder, partner and ownership disputes
- Easement and boundary disputes
- Land use and zoning appeals
- Breach of lease options
- Fraudulent nondisclosure
- Performance disputes
- Right of first refusal
- Buy-sell agreements
- Construction litigation
- Eminent domain
- Contract disputes
- Mechanics liens
- Tax appeals
How do I form an LLC?

The attorneys at Wilkerson, Hegna, Kavanaugh & Johnston, PLLP have a wealth of knowledge and experience in the area of formation and review of LLC and Corporate Agreements. For more than 25 years, we have offered our clients a broad range of services, including drafting and review of buy/sell agreements, shareholder agreements, maintaining and updating necessary information, including minutes, annual shareholder and member registration, and preparing stock certificates.
Can you assist with property tax appeals?

For numerous reasons, municipalities in Minnesota seem to be over-dependent upon property taxes as a source of revenue to fund public improvements like road construction and installation of sewer lines and sidewalks. These special assessments can be an enormous burden on residential property owners, often costing tens of thousands of dollars or more. The attorneys at Wilkerson, Hegna, Kavanaugh & Johnston, PLLP are sympathetic and tired of municipalities taking advantage of property owners through special assessments that are often unnecessary. Our attorneys are prepared to help their clients challenge these assessments. With a breadth of knowledge and experience, our attorneys representing property owners in property tax appeals, appearing before boards of assessment appeals, obtaining appraisals, attempting to amicably resolve excessive assessments, and pursuing appeals. Because of the complicated nature of special assessment laws, property owners must act quickly to guarantee their rights are protected. Our attorneys are prepared to make sure our clients aren’t charged more than the government is legally allowed to charge.
What are your fee arrangements?

In an ever-changing marketplace, Wilkerson, Hegna, Kavanaugh & Johnston, PLLP continues to meet and exceed the expectations of our clients by providing proactive, cost-effective legal services. Our approach to billing is crafted with the goals of the client at the forefront, whether it is a one-time consultation, facilitation of a complex transaction, or lengthy litigation event.

At Wilkerson, Hegna, Kavanaugh & Johnston, PLLP, we understand that transparency and trust are key connectors in the client-attorney relationship. Delivery of effective, efficient, and responsive client service is our first priority. For more information on our fee arrangements, please contact any Wilkerson, Hegna, Kavanaugh & Johnston, PLLP attorney.

Specific questions?

News

Neighbor Sues Irwin Jacobs’ Estate on Lake Minnetonka

A neighbor of the late Minnesota businessman Irwin Jacobs is suing the estate and the City of Orono over their plan to divide the estate’s 20-acre property into six subdivisions that would be sold to build new houses and streets.According to the neighbor, Barbara Burwell, the redevelopment violates the City’s lakeshore setback rules and could […]

Edina Launches Program to Save Affordable Homes from Teardown

Since 2008, nearly 1,000 Edina homes have been demolished and replaced by larger, more expensive homes. This accounts for roughly 8% of the City’s single-family homes. The average value of the homes that have been torn down sits at $421,420, while the average value of the homes that replace these tear downs is $1,165,786.Residents of […]

District Court Judge Rules in Favor of Afton House and Against the City of Afton

After a six-year battle with the City of Afton, a Washington County District Court judge has ruled in favor of Afton House Inn and against the City’s motion to vacate the Court’s judgment. Last year, a judge ruled that the City of Afton would be required to pay Afton House Inn $805,000 in damages, over […]

News Archive

Contact

7300 Metro Blvd., Suite 300, Edina, MN 55439

(952) 897-1707

(952) 897-3534

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Wilkerson & Hegna, P.L.L.P.

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