Join Our Team
We are seeking a lateral-hire attorney with 5-7 years practice experience in Worker’s Compensation, Administrative law, School Law, and other family or civil work. This position requires the ability to handle all aspects of litigation, from inception through resolution. Interested candidates should submit a cover letter and resume.
Join the SPOE Team
Smith, Paulson, O’Donnell & Erickson (SPOE) is a team of dedicated lawyers and legal professionals who use experience, vitality, and enthusiasm to advocate for our clients.
Our Team is made up of six attorneys, including a MN State Bar Association Certified Specialist; an honor held by approximately three percent of attorneys practicing in Minnesota. Our attorneys are supported by a staff of highly qualified assistants, including paralegals, legal assistants, and front desk staff. Our attorneys have been recognized by AVVO.com, Superlawyers.com, and Martindale Hubbard for excellence.
We at Smith, Paulson, O’Donnell & Erickson provide big firm service with small town values. Our clients come to us because of our experience, knowledge, expertise, track record in and out of the courtroom, and our reputation for integrity and client satisfaction. We have deep roots in the community, since opening here in 1968. The significant involvement of our attorneys and staff in the community means that our Firm enjoys a high level of credibility with attorneys, judges, and other professionals in the field.
Now Hiring: Attorneys
We are seeking a lateral-hire attorney with 5-7 years practice experience in worker’s compensation, administrative law, school law, and other family or civil work. This position requires the ability to handle all aspects of litigation, from inception through resolution.
Our ideal candidate:
- Is a self-starter with a commitment to providing superior service.
- Is professional, with clients, staff,and colleagues.
- Possesses creative intelligence.
- Possesses extensive substantiveand procedural legal knowledge.
- Takes pride in and attention to producing qualitywork products.
- Enjoys working in a team-based environment.
- Has excellent research and writing skills.
- Has an interest in partnership and desire to grow with a growing firm.
- Has 4-6 years case-handling experience.
Civil Litigation Attorney
SPOE is seeking a Civil Litigation Attorney who is ready to take ownership of a diverse caseload and guide matters from initial evaluation through resolution. This role is ideal for an attorney who is confident in strategy, motion practice, discovery, negotiation, and courtroom advocacy, while also understanding that great client service matters just as much as strong legal analysis. We are looking for someone who can think creatively, communicate clearly, and work well with clients, colleagues, and court personnel. At SPOE, civil litigation is an opportunity to solve real problems for individuals and businesses throughout Monticello, Wright County, Sherburne County, and the surrounding west-metro communities.
Workers’ Compensation Attorney
SPOE is looking for a Workers’ Compensation Attorney who can handle claims with skill, compassion, and a steady focus on practical results. The right candidate will be comfortable managing files from intake through hearing or settlement, advising clients through a process that can feel unfamiliar and stressful, and balancing strong advocacy with responsive communication. We value attorneys who are organized, self-directed, and able to move cases forward while keeping clients informed and supported. This position is a strong fit for someone who wants to grow with a long-standing Minnesota firm that combines substantive legal work with a genuinely team-oriented culture.
Criminal Defense Attorney
SPOE seeks a Criminal Defense Attorney who can provide calm, strategic representation when clients are facing some of the most difficult moments of their lives. This attorney should be prepared to handle criminal matters with sound judgment, persuasive advocacy, and respect for the human side of the case. We are looking for someone who is confident in court, thorough in preparation, and committed to protecting clients’ rights at every stage of the process. The ideal candidate understands that criminal defense requires both toughness and empathy, and can build trust quickly while delivering clear guidance and strong representation.
Estate Planning + Probate Attorney
SPOE is hiring an Estate Planning and Probate Attorney who can help clients plan thoughtfully, protect what matters most, and navigate probate matters with confidence. This role is well suited for an attorney who enjoys building long-term client relationships and translating complex legal issues into practical, understandable advice. The right candidate will be comfortable handling wills, trusts, probate administration, and related matters with care, efficiency, and attention to detail. We are looking for someone who values personalized service and understands that estate planning and probate work often involves both important legal decisions and deeply personal family dynamics.
Now Hiring: Paralegal
SPOE is also seeking a Civil Paralegal with a paralegal certificate who is ready to play a meaningful role in a busy, collaborative legal environment. This position is ideal for someone who is organized, detail-oriented, and comfortable supporting attorneys through all phases of civil matters, including drafting, file management, discovery coordination, scheduling, and client communication. The right candidate takes pride in producing polished work, keeps cases moving, and understands how valuable a steady, dependable paralegal can be to both the legal team and the client experience. We are looking for someone who wants to contribute to a firm culture built on integrity, professionalism, and service.
Why Move?
Smith, Paulson, O’Donnell & Erickson(SPOE), is a fast-growing firm with more than 50years servicing Wright and Sherburne Counties and the surrounding west-metro area.
SPOE is not another small-town law firm. It is a place for the right candidate to grow in a prospering community on the I-94 corridor with quick access to Courthouses in Wright, Sherburne, Anoka, Hennepin, Stearns, and Benton Counties.
In 2018, SPOE was awarded the honor of “Best Service Based Business of More Than 10 Employees” at the Business Excellence Forum in San Diego, California, which is a competition involving businesses from all over the U.S., Canada,and the Caribbean. We take care of our clients, our team,and operate our law firm as a business.
While SPOE continues to grow, we aspire to remain a community-based, family-oriented firm and an awesome place to work –regardless of how much larger we grow.
Why Join SPOE?
Smith, Paulson, O’Donnell & Erickson is a successful general practice firm in Monticello, Minnesota. We are a growing firm with a 50-year history of serving the Monticello and surrounding west metro communities. As we grow, we aspire to remain a community-based, family-oriented firm that is an awesome place to work.
In 2018, SPOE was awarded the honor of “Best Service Based Business of More Than 10 Employees” at the Business Excellence Forum in San Diego, California. This is a competition involving businesses from all over the U.S., Canada, and the Caribbean. We take care of our clients, our team and operate our law firm as a business.
Our Vision
Building dynamic relationships with our team, clients, and community to achieve growth and prosperity for all.
Our Mission
Smith, Paulson, O’Donnell & Erickson is a team of dedicated legal professionals who use their broad experience, compassion, and enthusiasm to solve our clients’ problems. Clients value our personalized service through our seasoned lawyers, paralegals, and support staff. We can and do serve each client’s unique needs.
We offer big-city firm services with small-town values and caring: all the legal services most businesses and individuals ever need. Our reputation for integrity, client satisfaction, and results – in and out of the court room – is shown by community and client referrals of their friends and family to our skilled team. We are active in our community and our profession, which has earned us the trust and credibility of attorneys, judges, and other professionals.
The strength and confidence of our team drives how we serve our clients. Our confidence comes from our combined legal experience and successes in handling a broad range of legal challenges. Our passion for justice fuels our dedication to achieve the best possible outcomes. This allows our clients to enjoy the reassurance that they are receiving the level of attention and service their problems and challenges deserve.
Our Firm Culture
Integrity + Respect: We treat clients, potential clients, and fellow team members respectfully and with concern. We are accountable, take responsibility for what we do, and are committed to always living and acting “above the line.”
Clients ARE Our Business: SPOE exists to serve. We are productive and caring when tackling our clients’ problems and challenges; they become our problems and challenges to solve. We aspire to inform and carry out what our clients CAN do rather than dwell on what they CANNOT do.
Having Fun Growing: We are a team that laughs (and laughs!). We are open to and accept the suggestions and contributions of fellow team members, foster inclusiveness and strive to build up all team members professionally and personally. Whenever circumstances deem it appropriate, we include clients and colleagues in our fun and encourage the sense of belonging.
We Give Back as We Grow: SPOE, its team members and their families support our community and the legal profession with service, social contributions, and a return of dollars and time. We express our gratitude by and believe in the action of giving back.
Ready to Apply?
Interested candidates should send a cover letter and resume to pam.clark@spoelawyers.com. We look forward to meeting you!
Recent Blogs
What Is a Felony Vs. Misdemeanor in Minnesota?
A criminal charge can change the tone of a day in an instant. Maybe it starts with a traffic stop. Maybe a disagreement gets out of hand. Maybe the police call, or a citation arrives, or someone you love is suddenly sitting in jail and nobody in the family knows what...
What Happens After A DWI Arrest in Minnesota? A Step-By-Step Guide
A DWI arrest can make everything feel like it is moving too fast. One moment, you are dealing with flashing lights in the rearview mirror. The next, you may be facing chemical testing, license issues, court dates, and questions you never expected to ask. Can you...
How To Contest a Will in Minnesota
After someone dies, families often expect the will to settle things. Sometimes it does. The document is filed, the estate moves through probate, and everyone may not love the outcome, but the process is fairly straightforward. Other times, something feels off. Maybe...
How to File for Legal Separation in Minnesota
Not every struggling marriage ends with an immediate decision to divorce. Sometimes a couple needs space. Real space. Separate homes, separate finances, a clearer parenting schedule, and time to figure out what comes next. For some spouses, divorce feels too final....
What Happens After a Fatal Police Encounter in Minnesota?
When a fatal police shooting or other deadly encounter happens, the first hours and days can feel disorienting. Families are grieving, witnesses are trying to process what they saw, and the public is left with more questions than answers. In the middle of all that, it...
How Long Does a Lawsuit Take (and Why)?
One of the first questions people ask after filing a lawsuit, or being served with one, is simple. How long is this going to take? The honest answer is that it depends. Some cases resolve in a matter of months, while others take a year or more. The timeline is shaped...
