Michael P. Helgesen

Working to help people in need comes naturally to Michael Helgesen.

As a teenager, he joined the United States Navy where he served as a medic from 1961 to 1965. He also served in the Minnesota National Guard. He attended the Universities of Kentucky, Illinois and Wisconsin, where he studied literature, chemistry, anthropology and education. After receiving multiple degrees, he taught at the Wisconsin State Historical Society. He then became a home school coordinator for Dunn, Chippewa and Eau Claire Counties in Wisconsin.

He was eventually promoted to the position of regional director for this tri-county project, which included facilitating education, employment and housing for Native Americans.

In 1977, Michael and his wife, Ernestine, opened a group home for troubled Native American adolescents. The experience led him into teaching and he spent several years working with students in both elementary and high school classrooms.

He graduated from William Mitchell College of Law in 1987. For the past 18 years, he has been a member of the Paige J. Donnelly, law firm. During that time he has become an experienced personal injury trial lawyer.

Michael and Ernestine live on Grey Cloud Island with their four youngest children whom they are in the process of adopting. Their three grown children have families of their own. Ernestine and all of the couple's children are enrolled members of the HoChunk or Winnebago Tribe of Wisconsin.

Education:

William Mitchell College of Law, JD, 1987
University of Wisconsin, BA, Elementary Education, 1977
University of Wisconsin, BA, Anthropology, 1973
United States Hospital Corps School, 1962.

Bar and Court Admissions:

State of Minnesota, 1987
State of Wisconsin, 1997
United States District Court, District of Minnesota, 1989
United States District Court, Western District of Wisconsin, 1990
United States District Court, Northern District of Illinois, 1998

Professional memberships and affilliations:

Chosen as a "Super Lawyer" by Minnesota Lawyer Magazine, Minnesota Law & Politics Magazine, and Minneapolis/St. Paul Magazine

Minnesota Trial Lawyers Association

Wisconsin State Bar Association