Michael James Brandt

Michael James Brandt

4.8
Rating: 9.8

Licensed for 31 years

Criminal defense Lawyer at Anoka, MN
Practice Areas: Criminal Defense, DUI & DWI, Domestic Violence ... +2 more

2150 Third Avenue North, Suite 210, Anoka, MN

About Michael

Practice Areas

5

Practice Areas

Criminal Defense 30%

33 years | 4,000 cases

30%
DUI and DWI 30%

33 years | 500 cases

30%
Domestic Violence 20%

33 years | 300 cases

20%
Speeding and Traffic Ticket 10%

33 years | 1,000 cases

10%
White Collar Crime 10%

33 years | 200 cases

10%

Fees and Rates

We have not found any cost information for this lawyer


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Licenses

Licensed in Minnesota for 31 years

State: Minnesota

Acquired: 1994

Authorized to Practice

No misconduct found

Location

Brandt Criminal Defense

2150 Third Avenue North, Suite 210, Anoka, MN, 55303

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Michael James Brandt's Reviews

Avvo Review Score

4.8 /5.0

19 Client Reviews

5 star (18)
4 star (0)
3 star (0)
2 star (0)
1 star (1)

Posted by Barto | August 22, 2025 | Hired Attorney

This review is from a person who hired this attorney.

A Rock Star in the courtroom

I’ve had the pleasure of working with Michael Brandt for over 10 years . Let’s just say I’ve had a colorful past with many missteps . Michael was always the first person I saw when I was at my lowest.No matter what was going on I could always count on him to show up and be there for me. ... He never judged me or looked down on me .His first words were always ,”How you holding up” and “ Let’s get you out of here”. His knowledge and experience are matched by no one in the Judicial System. Even when I was facing some pretty serious charges I always felt at ease in the courtroom because of his presence and overall demeanor. He represents and treats his clients like they are family , fighting tooth and nail for them . Excepting nothing but the very best outcome for his clients. I’ve put my troubled past behind me but I know with absolute certainty that without Michael Brandt representing me , I would not be here today to write this review.

Posted by anonymous | October 21, 2024 | Hired Attorney

This review is from a person who hired this attorney.

Clear concise and compassionate

It was such a joy to work with Mike and his team. Especially in a tense situation. I highly recommend Mike and his team.

Posted by anonymous | April 23, 2024 | Hired Attorney

This review is from a person who hired this attorney.

Great Results

In July of 2022 I was wrongly accused. Mike and his team were awesome in explaining the process and, most importantly, executed a strategy that proved the police overembellished their position. Further, his team put together their findings and documents showing that the prosecutor's case would fai...l, resulting in the County Attorney dismissing the case, all without ever having to step foot in a courtroom. Their knowledge, professionalism, and foresight is unmatched.

Posted by Charles | January 16, 2024 | Hired Attorney

This review is from a person who hired this attorney.

A fair and understanding professional.

We researched the market and concluded that Mike Brandt is considered a top 3 attorney in this area. Mike Brandt is not only highly skilled as a specialist in this field, but also has the respect of the judicial community. This was evidenced by how he was treated in the courtroom. Mike’s skill and ...integrity were clear in all our dealings with the court system. Our case was satisfied better than expected. We highly recommend Mike Brandt both as an attorney and as a fair and understanding professional.

Posted by Daniel | July 13, 2023 | Consulted Attorney

This review is from a potential client who consulted with this attorney.

Great experience

Many thanks to you Mark and your firm for direction, advice, and expertise. Friendly, to the point, with resolution in sight. I cannot be more thankful to you for your care; you went far above my expectations and I am so grateful to you for your help. Thank you so much!

See All Client Reviews

Michael James Brandt's Lawyer Endorsements

Endorse Michael
William S Sherry headshot
William Sherry

Criminal defense lawyer | Mar 03

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"Mike Brandt is well respected by judges, attorneys, court staff and professional colleagues. He has earned an excellent reputation as a smart, well-prepared and effective attorney. I have known Mike a long time, and I would gladly refer to him with confidence that he would do an outstanding job."

Glen Adam Kotten headshot
Glen Kotten

Criminal defense lawyer | Nov 01

Relationship: Other

"Mike is a great senior criminal defense lawyer. He was very helpful in assisting me with a probation question I had for one of my clients."

Jessica Laural Portz Birken headshot
Jessica Birken

Unknown lawyer | Jun 30

Relationship: Worked for lawyer

"Mike is one of the most engaging, approachable and talented criminal defense attorney's I've had the privilege to work for. He's very likable and is able to explain difficult concepts in plain language. I've learned many lessons from Mike over the years. Mike is hands down, my go-to call whenever a friend or client is in need of defense work. I highly recommend Mike."

View All Endorsements
Sarah Marie Kimball headshot
Sarah Kimball

Criminal defense lawyer

Daniel Wade Homstad headshot
Daniel Homstad

Criminal defense lawyer

Mark W Malzahn headshot
Mark Malzahn

Personal injury lawyer

John J. Leunig headshot
John Leunig

Criminal defense lawyer

Experience

Rating:  9.8 (Superb)

Honors

2012

Super Lawyer, SuperLawyers

2011

Super Lawyer, SuperLawyers

2010

Super Lawyer, SuperLawyers

2009

Super Lawyer, SuperLawyers

2008

Super Lawyer, SuperLawyers

2007

Super Lawyer, SuperLawyers

2006

Super Lawyer, SuperLawyers

2005

Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers

2004

Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers

2003

Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers

Work Experience

2005 - Present

Owner, Brandt Criminal Defense

2003 - 2005

Partner, Jasper and Brandt, PLLC

1999 - 2003

Associate, Allan H. Caplan & Associates

1994 - 1999

Assistant Public Defender, 10th Judicial District Public Defenders

Associations

2008 - Present

Minnesota Society for Criminal Justice

Member

2003 - Present

Anoka County Bar Association

Treasurer

2000 - Present

National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers

Member

1999 - Present

Minnesota Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers

Treasurer

1999 - Present

Minnesota State Bar Association

Member

Education

1994

William Mitchell College of Law

JD - Juris Doctor

1987

University of Minnesota

BA - Bachelor of Arts

Speaking Engagements

2012

Expert on Criminal Law

“Expert” for criminal law questions

2012

47th Annual Criminal Justice Institute

Dirty Dozen - ETG Testing

2008

DWI Seminar

DWI Defense

2008

43rd Annual Criminal Justice Institute

Shultz Issues with the Intoxilyzer 5000

Publications

2013

Minnesota CLE DWI Deskbook- Evidence Chapter

Languages

English

Spanish

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 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