Laura is an experienced and skilled legal and consulting professional. She’s an attorney, an advocate, a problem solver, a mediator, a strategist, a negotiator, an educator, and a facilitator. She’s spent her career educating herself (through her studies, and life and professional experiences), expanding her knowledge, and refining, practicing, developing, and honing her skills. She’s fortunate to have found a sweet spot at the intersection of law and life. This sweet spot makes it possible for her to practice in the way she believes she is meant to – diligently, meaningfully, effectively, competently, exceptionally, responsively, proactively, compassionately, and creatively.

 

Her background makes her uniquely situated to serve people, families, businesses, nonprofits, and communities in West Central Minnesota. By engaging her qualities and qualifications, and other attributes, she seeks to build a firm that is an integral part of the lives of her clients, as well as the community as a whole. Her background also positions her to approach each client matter comprehensively, understanding the context surrounding each client’s experience, while drawing on her focused expertise in the way that best serves each client. She’s committed to our clients and she dedicates herself to understanding their individual circumstances, challenges, and goals in order to meet their needs. Laura listens to and hears our clients, and she partners with them to guide them in successfully navigating the matters and issues they’re facing or anticipating.

 

Laura grew up in Morris, obtained her undergraduate degree from the College of Saint Benedict in St. Joseph, and obtained her law degree from William Mitchell College of Law (now Mitchell Hamline School of Law) in St. Paul. Following law school, she served as a judicial law clerk to Judge David C. Higgs in Ramsey County, then worked for a Minneapolis-based law firm thereafter. Before returning to the Morris area, she worked as staff counsel for a nonprofit in Minneapolis and had her own law practice in St. Paul. She also has a Master’s Degree in Public Affairs, with a concentration in community and economic development, from Humphrey School of Public Affairs at the University of Minnesota – Twin Cities.

 

She lives in Donnelly with her husband (Joe) and their three dogs (Rune, Jeb, and Sal). Beyond SCHMIDT Law + Consulting, she is an active member of her local and regional community, an entrepreneur, a yoga instructor, and an embracer of life. In her spare time, she enjoys connecting with family and friends, watching documentaries, cooking, and adventuring with Joe.