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also known as Chris Vatsaas, Christopher Vatsaas
Christopher L. Vatsaas is a shareholder at Tuft, Lach, Jerabek & O’Connell, PLLC. Chris practices exclusively in the area of family law including divorce, child custody, paternity, asset and debt division, spousal maintenance, child support, domestic abuse (including Orders for Protection), and Harassment Restraining Orders. His diverse family law experience ranges from child custody cases involving child endangerment to dissolution matters involving high net worth individuals and sophisticated non-marital tracing. He also serves in a neutral capacity as a family law mediator, parenting consultant (PC), parenting time expeditor (PTE), Social Early Neutral Evaluator (SENE), and Financial Early Neutral Evaluator (FENE).
Since 2019, Chris has been named a “Rising Star” by Super Lawyers®. Only 2.5% of attorneys in Minnesota receive this distinction. Chris was also named to the 2023 list of Top Lawyer in Minnesota by Minnesota Monthly. In 2018 and 2019, Chris received the North Star Lawyer Award from the Minnesota State Bar Association for his pro bono service.
Chris is an Adjunct Professor at the University of St. Thomas School of Law, where he teaches Advanced Family Law as well as coursework within the school’s Mentor Externship Program. He has also presented on topics such as Orders for Protection, Harassment Restraining Orders, Ex Parte Emergency Custody Orders, estate planning, and the use of technology within a family law practice. He is also the editor of the ADR Chapter of the Minnesota Divorce Practice Deskbook by Minnesota CLE and has co-authored legal articles regarding the implications of the COVID-19 pandemic on the practice of family law as well as the impending evolution of child custody issues stemming from cannabis legalization.
Chris is engaged in both the local legal community and the greater Twin Cities community. Chris also has extensive board service experience, including presently serving as President-Elect of the Alumni Advisory Board at the University of St. Thomas School of Law as well as Past President of the Family Law League, a local non-profit organization focused on professional development and networking among family law professionals.
Chris and his family call St. Louis Park home, where he is involved in his local church and community. In his spare time, you’ll find Chris catching a basketball game, hosting a barbeque (ask about his chicken wings), foraging for fun espresso beans at a local coffee shop, or popping open a new bottle of wine with friends. An aspiring wine geek, Chris has obtained his Level 2 Certificate with Merit from the Wine & Spirit Education Trust and dreams of a part-time retirement job of pouring at a local wine bar someday.
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Chat withState: Minnesota
Acquired: 2011
No misconduct found
Tuft, Lach, Jerabek & O'Connell, PLLC, 2109 County Road D East, White Bear Lake, MN, 55109
15 Client Reviews
Showing 1 - 5 of 15 reviews
Posted by anonymous | May 02, 2017 | Hired Attorney | Child Custody
Excellent lawyer
Chris is an incredible lawyer. He was my attorney throughout my custody case, as well as for my estate planning. I recommended him to friends and family, who ended up hiring him, and were as pleased as I was. He is a very professional, no-nonsense kind of lawyer. It's obvious that he knows what he's ...
Posted by Brandie | April 25, 2017 | Hired Attorney
Fantastic Attorney!
Chris was a top notch attorney who was always empathetic to my situation yet professional to my needs at the same time. He Knows his stuff! Chris had many nuances in my case but was always looking out for my best interest. He always figured out the best way to get me what was needed. I didn't feel li...
Posted by Ron | April 25, 2017 | Hired Attorney
Will
Chris did an excellent job of explaining things and keeping me updated. His co-workers also did a wonderful job.
Posted by Amanda | December 22, 2015 | Hired Attorney | Divorce & Separation
Very professional
I met with a few attorneys before meeting Chris and before I met him I was very scared. I was young and about to go through a divorce with 2 young children. I had been judged and put down by many people at the time for even being married let alone going through a divorce and the minute I started talk...
Posted by Isaac | March 25, 2015 | Divorce & Separation
QUITE POSSIBLY THE WORST LAWYER IN MINNESOTA
Christopher Vatsaas does not have a single creative bone in his entire body or the spine necessary to defend his clients’ interests. Having to lose the house but keep the debt in my name was completely insane. I was presented with the same solution to this question over and over again. He would claim...
"Chris is immaculately prepared and sees all the angles. He solves complex problems and will push hard for his clients."
"I fully endorse Chris Vatsaas in the area of family law. In the time I've worked with Chris, he has demonstrated a significant breadth of knowledge in the family law arena, commitment to clients, and common sense approach to issues. If you have a family law issue, you should contact Chris."
"I endorse and trust Chris. Chris is a family law powerhouse, helping clients with dissolution, child custody, mediation, and much more. I feel privileged to work alongside Chris, and to know him personally. You are in good hands with Chris."
"I have worked with Chris on several matters. He approaches issues directly and maintains a level head even in tough situations. Chris' clients have a dedicated advocate on their side."
"Chris is a forward thinking and dedicated attorney. He’s easy to work with and I highly recommend him for estate planning as well as family and business law matters."
"Chris is a great attorney with a big heart. His values and skills are a great asset to his clients."
"Chris takes a thorough and thoughtful approach to his cases and strives to achieve the best possible outcome for his clients. He truly is a trusted adviser and knows how to achieve the best possible outcome in each case."
"Chris is an exceptional lawyer. He has the ability to remain calm during difficult cases while still effectively advocating for his client's interests."
"Chris is an exceptional mediator, who truly cares about the outcome for the parties involved. He puts his whole heart into reaching a resolution, and his background in finance is extremely useful and helpful."
"Chris is a thoughtful, passionate attorney who treats every case as if it was his only case. He offers creative solutions to his clients, and zealously advocates for them in the courtroom."
"Chris will always understand the complicated details as well as the big picture of every one of his cases. His clients appreciate his ability to analyze their cases, and provide detailed options to help them achieve their goals."
"Chris is an extremely conscientious and dedicated attorney. His clients regularly see better-than-expected results thanks to his hard work and passion."
"I acted as a mediator in a case in which Mr. Vatsaas represented one of the parties. Mr. Vatsaas came to the mediation well prepared and was an excellent advocate for his client while maintaining professional civility."
"Christopher and I work in the same area and I have had the privilege of having him as opposing counsel on a family law matter. Christopher is passionate about family law and extremely dedicated to his practice and clients. Christopher is honest, straight forward and reasonable. In the case we had together, he was a strong advocate for his client yet was focused on settlement. I believe that Christopher has a great deal of integrity and would be an excellent choice for anyone looking for quality legal representation in a family law matter."
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2018
North Star Lawyer, Minnesota State Bar Association (MSBA)
2010
Dean's Award, Legal Research & Writing, University of St. Thomas School of Law
2024 - Present
Shareholder, Tuft, Lach, Jerabek & O'Connell
2018 - Present
Adjunct Professor, University Of St. Thomas School Of Law
2019 - 2024
Partner, Chestnut Cambronne PA
2017 - 2018
Associate Attorney, Chestnut Cambronne PA
2015 - 2017
Attorney, Johnson/Turner Legal
2012 - 2015
Associate Attorney, Brown Law Offices, P.A.
2011 - 2012
Associate Attorney, Tessneer Law Office
2010 - 2010
Law Clerk, Osterbauer Law Firm
2010 - 2011
Law Clerk, Guzman Law Firm, PA
2014 - Present
Mentorship Program, University of St. Thomas School of LawMentor
2017 - 2022
Minnesota Family Law LeagueBoard Member
2013 - 2018
Cradle of Hope ... motherhood fundPresident, Board of Directors
2012 - 2015
Minnesota Magic BasketballCoach
2011 - 2024
Minnesota State Bar AssociationMember
2010 - 2011
Minnesota Heat BasketballCoach
2011
Juris Doctor
2008
B.S.B. - Bachelor of Science in Business
2016
Orders for Protection, Harassment Restraining Orders, and Ex Parte Motions in Family Law Cases
2012
Estate Planning 101
2011
Estate Planning Basics
2017
2017
2016
2012
English
Legal Answers