Allison W. Maxim

Allison W. Maxim

4.9
Rating: 9.2

Licensed for 19 years

Divorce and separation Lawyer at Saint Paul, MN
Practice Areas: Divorce & Separation, Family, Mediation, Domestic Violence

W-1100 First National Bank Building, 332 Minnesota Street, Saint Paul, MN

About Allison

Biography

Practice Areas

4

Practice Areas

Divorce and Separation 50%

When family disputes rise to the level where legal intervention is necessary, it is important to hire an experienced, knowledgeable divorce attorney to protect your interests and your family.

20 years

50%
Family 20%

At Maxim Law, we help individuals resolve their most complex family law disputes. Helping with International Divorce, Child Custody, and Child Support Issues.

20 years

20%
Mediation 20%

As a mediator, Allison Maxim facilitates calm, thoughtful discussion and negotiation to help parents reach mutually beneficial agreements regarding child custody, visitation and support. We also use mediation to help couples complete the divorce process in the most efficient manner possible.

20 years

20%
Domestic Violence 10%

Located in St. Paul, Minnesota, Maxim Law represents clients throughout the Twin Cities and surrounding suburbs in obtaining or defending against claims of domestic abuse and assault. We also consider the role and impact of physical and emotional/psychological abuse in interstate and international child custody matters.

20 years

10%

Fees and Rates

We have not found any cost information for this lawyer


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Licenses

Licensed in Minnesota for 19 years

State: Minnesota

Acquired: 2006

Authorized to Practice

Lawyer disciplined by state licensing authority in 2013

Location

Collins, Buckley, Sauntry & Haugh PLLP

W-1100 First National Bank Building, 332 Minnesota Street, Saint Paul, MN, 55101

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Allison W. Maxim's Reviews

Avvo Review Score

4.9 /5.0

18 Client Reviews

Filter Avvo Reviews (18) Refine reviews to match your needs. Use the filters to quickly surface reviews that align with your case or priorities.

Showing 1 - 4 of 4 reviews | General Knowledge

Posted by Doug | May 28, 2020 | Hired Attorney | Child Custody

Great Lawyer

I worked with Allison with Allison in a very difficult situation child custody situation. She was always professional, confident, and knowledgeable. She is compassionate and reasonable. I would highly recommend her practice to anyone who needs the service.

Posted by Neil | September 18, 2015 | Hired Attorney | Family

My experienced with Allison Mixim Law firm

I contacted the Maxim law firm because I was going through some legal problems (family matters) that I could not handle. At this point, I have been to the courts multiple times with no clear understanding. Allison and her staff were very knowledgeable about my case and they helped me settled my case.... I am so please with the level of professionalism that they exhibited. Plus, they are some of the honest law people I have encounter. I will recommend my friends and family and anyone who is struggling with legal matters within the family courts, to talk to them first.

Posted by Sara | June 09, 2015 | Divorce & Separation

A Trusted Advocate

I would recommend Allison without reserve to anyone needing a divorce attorney. From our very first meeting, it was obvious that Allison was extremely knowledgeable, an excellent listener, and someone who would help me navigate a situation in which I had never imagined myself. I came with many ques...tions, and she helpfully and continually walked me through what the process would look like, always in a kind and understanding manner. My case involved custody issues, division of property, and spousal maintenance, and in a situation that was often acrimonious and emotional, Allison was calm, reassuring, and supportive. At the same time, she was a fierce advocate for me, firmly and assertively fighting for what she felt to to be fair and right. In a situation like divorce, I have learned that you just don't know what you don't know. I trust Allison implicitly to know- the law, the facts of my case, and what will be best for me and my kids. I truly can't imagine having gone through this with anyone else.

Posted by Chuck | July 01, 2012 | Alimony

Divorce Related Services from Allsion Maxim

Allison Maxim was my counsel for a reduction in maintenance and later a Caron waiver in 2009 through early 2011. Actions included: appearances in family court before a referee; mediation discussions for the Caron waiver; advice on best approaches in settlement strategy; guidance during meetings with... the other side; and drafting appropriate documents for corespondence with opposing counsel, the mediator, and the family court referree. Ms. Maxim was both timely and responsive to my multiple concerns which often arise in contentious discussions. Her sound advice and well written documents led to a good outcome as I finished my responsibilties to my ex-wife. I would resommend her highly.

See All Client Reviews

Allison W. Maxim's Lawyer Endorsements

Endorse Allison
Jacob Mathias Birkholz headshot
Jacob Birkholz

Family lawyer | May 11

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"Allison is smart, practical, sensitive, yet wholly practical when she solves clients issues. Her legal intellect is only bested by her strong advocacy skills and will definitely get you the best result possible. She has a deep understanding and intimate knowledge of all family law issues. I refer cases to her."

View All Endorsements
Jacob Mathias Birkholz headshot
Jacob Birkholz

Criminal defense lawyer

Experience

Rating:  9.2 (Superb)

Professional misconduct

This lawyer was disciplined by a state licensing authority in 2013.

Reprimand issued in MN, 2013

updated on 01/12/2026

Reprimand means an attorney did something wrong but may still practice law. The State gives the lawyer a public reprimand in hopes that he or she will not repeat the behavior.

Allison’s comment:

“Over 13 years ago, I posted a fake review of an opposing attorney on a very high conflict case I had with her. It was a stupid thing to do and I apologized to her and reported myself to the Office of Lawyers Professional Responsibility, which resulted in the reprimand. This sanction did not involve anything having to do with how I handle my own client's cases or their funds. I have handled many cases since then with positive reviews and feedback. I am happy to answer any questions about it.”

Honors

2015

North Star Lawyer, Minnesota State Bar Association

2013

Rising Star, Superlawyers

2013

North Star Lawyer, Minnesota State Bar Association

2012

Rising Star, SuperLawyers

2011

Rising Star, Superlawyers

Work Experience

2022 - Present

Attorney, Collins, Buckley, Sauntry and Haugh, PLLP

2012 - Present

Principal Attorney, Maxim Law

2020 - 2022

Partner, Maxim Smith Family Law PLLC

2006 - 2012

Attorney, Walling, Berg & Debele, PA

2004 - 2006

Law Clerk, Walling, Berg & Debele, PA

2003 - 2003

Law Clerk, Hennepin County Family Court Self Help Center

2000 - 2001

Information and Referral Specialist, Optum

Associations

2019 - Present

Collaborative Law Institute

Current Board President

2012 - Present

Ramsey County Bar Association

Member

2011 - Present

Association of Family and Conciliation Courts

Member

2006 - Present

Minnesota State Bar Association

Member

2021 - 2022

Hennepin County Bar Association

Member

2015 - 2016

Minnesota State Bar Association

Vice Chair - Solo and small firm section

2012 - 2013

Hennepin County Bar Association, Family Law Section

Co-chair

2012 - 2013

Hennepin County Bar Association

Board Member

2006 - 2014

Minnesota Women Lawyers

Member

Sample of Legal Cases

In Re the Matter of Jill Marie Newstrand and Jamison Robert Arend

Favorable outcome for Maxim Law client

In Re the Marriage of Shandin Cowle Moyne and Fabrice Jacques-Pierre Moyne

Favorable outcome for Maxim Law client

In Re the Marriage of Andrew. J. Redleaf vs. Elizabeth Grace Redleaf

Our client's award of post-judgment interest was affirmed.

In Re the Marriage of Andrew. J. Redleaf vs. Elizabeth Grace Redleaf

Achieved client's goal of preventing Husband from reopening Judgment and Decree of Dissolution.

Hubbard County Health and Human Services v. Zacher

Achieved client's goal of reversing district court decision to include retained earnings in his gross income for determining his child support obligation

See More Legal Cases

Education

2005

University of St. Thomas School of Law - Minneapolis

JD - Juris Doctor

2001

Minnesota School of Professional Psychology

MA - Masters

1993

Ohio University

BA - Bachelor of Arts

Speaking Engagements

2014

The Evaluation and Assessment of Parenting: Another Tool in the Family Law Toolbox Parenting Assessments in Family Law Cases

2014

The Collision of Family and Criminal Law: The Ins and Outs of Criminal DANCOs, Civil OFPs and HROs Domestic Violence OFP, HRO and Criminal DANCO's

2013

N/A

The Trauma of Family Court: Understanding Your Clients Experience in the “System”

2011

International Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers

Law in the Foreign Jurisdiction: The Strange, the Mysterious, and the Unusual

2009

Child Support: An Overview of Law and Procedure

Child Support

2008

Minnesota Family Law Institute

Divorce and Family Law

Publications

Languages

English

Avvo Rating

Our Rating is calculated using information the lawyer has included on their profile in addition to the information we collect from state bar associations and other organizations that license legal professionals. Attorneys who claim their profiles and provide Avvo with more information tend to have a higher rating than those who do not.

What determines Avvo Rating?
  • Experience & background Years licensed, work experience, education
  • Legal community recognition Peer endorsements, associations, awards
  • Legal thought leadership Publications, speaking engagements
  • Discipline
    This lawyer was disciplined by a state licensing authority in 2013
    Disciplinary information may not be comprehensive, or updated. We recommend that you always check a lawyer's disciplinary status with their respective state bar association before hiring them.
Avvo Rating Levels
10.0 - 9.0 Superb8.9 - 8.0 Excellent7.9 - 7.0 Very Good6.9 - 6.0 Good5.9 - 5.0 Average4.9 - 4.0 Concern3.9 - 3.0 Caution2.9 - 2.0 Strong Caution1.9 - 1.0 Extreme Caution