Hutchinson MN Minnesota Lawyers, Attorneys Law Firm in Olivia, Renville, McLeod County, estate planning, personal injury, divorce law

The year was 1916. The Minnesota Golden Gophers football team fielded one of its finest teams in the game's history. (They defeated their first four opponents by a combined score of 236-14 and lost just one game all season.)

The Kraft, Walser, Hettig, Honsey & Kleiman law firm traces its roots back to that year. In 1916 a prominent attorney, Leo J. Lauerman, opened a law practice in Olivia.

During his career Lauerman served as a county attorney state senator, and secretary to Charles Lindbergh's father in the House of Representatives.

Our firm began in Olivia in 1916
(pictured circa 1940)

Gordon Keith was Lauerman's first partner. Harold Pfeiffer joined him in the early 1930's. After that, many lawyers were associated with him over the years until his death in 1965.

DePaul Willette joined Lauerman in December, 1961. They were joined by James Zeug in 1962. The firm was known as Lauerman, Willette and Zeug until Lauerman's death.

In 1966, John Kraft moved to Olivia and joined the firm. Jim Zeug was appointed District Court Judge in 1970 and the firm was then known as Willette and Kraft.

Our Hutchinson office is located on Main Street.
(pictured circa 1960).

Donald H. Walser joined the firm in 1972. Paul A. Nelson came in 1975, Steven E. Hettig joined the firm in 1979, Daniel B. Honsey joined in 1994, and Christopher A. Kleiman joined the firm in 2002.

DePaul Willette was appointed District Court Judge and served in that capacity from 1977 to 1982. He then rejoined the firm, which was known as Willette, Kraft, Walser, Nelson & Hettig. Willette left the firm in 1992 to become the Executive Secretary of the Minnesota Board of Judicial Standards.

Paul Nelson was appointed District Court Judge in 1997. He is the presiding District Court Judge in Montevideo.

Ninety years later, the attorneys of Kraft, Walser, Hettig, Honsey & Kleiman continue the tradition of providing legal solutions for greater Minnesota.