218-736-5493
Makenna Andresen
m.andresen@pemlaw.com | 
Detroit Lakes | 
(218) 847-4858 - phone
Makenna graduated from Detroit Lakes High School in 2020. After high school, she went to North Dakota State College of Science in Wahpeton, ND and graduated in 2022 with a degree in Farm Business Management.
Makenna lives in Detroit Lakes with her husband, Matt, daughter, Rhett, and dog, Cash. Makenna enjoys helping farm and spending time with her family and friends. She works with Attorney Nicole Tabbut and Paralegal Danielle Miller in the area of Family Law.
Abby Baker
a.baker@pemlaw.com | Fergus Falls | (218) 736-5493 - phone
Abby grew up in Osakis, Minnesota. She moved to Fergus Falls while interning for Pemberton in January 2021. After graduating from Minnesota State University Moorhead with a Bachelor of Science degree in Paralegal in May of 2021, Abby was hired full time to work in Employment and Labor Law.
Susan Blondeau, MnCP
s.blondeau@pemlaw.com | Fergus Falls | (218) 736-5493 - phone
Susan is a Senior Paralegal in the law firm's Litigation Department. She joined the law firm in 1983 after receiving her Associate in Science Degree in Legal Secretarial and a Certificate in Computer Operations from the North Dakota State College of Science. Susan has earned the credentials of a Minnesota Certified Paralegal through the Minnesota Paralegal Association and is currently a member of the Red River Valley Paralegal Association, the Minnesota Paralegal Association, and the National Federation of Paralegal Associations.
Her daughter, Amber, is a graduate of Concordia College in Moorhead.
Leigh Brede
l.brede@pemlaw.com | Alexandria | (320) 759-3143 - phone
Leigh was born and raised in Easton, Pennsylvania. She moved to Alexandria, Minnesota a year after graduating from high school and has come to love and appreciate the small-town life. Leigh and her husband reside in Alexandria with their three sons. In her spare time, Leigh loves to travel and spend time with her friends and family.
Leigh joined Pemberton Law in March 2019 as the Legal Assistant to Attorney Charles M. Good in our Alexandria office.
Sue Briese
s.briese@pemlaw.com | Fergus Falls | (218) 736-5493 - phone
Sue is a certified paralegal, currently aligned with Attorney Rob Bigwood in the real estate, estate planning, decedent and corporate areas of law. Sue has been with the firm since 1981, with original roots from a dairy farm near Henning, Minnesota, to graduating from both now known as M-State in Fergus Falls and Alexandria College, in Alexandria, Minnesota. Sue has been a Fergus Falls area resident for over 40 years.
“What I have experienced with Pemberton Law is its forward-thinking and planning, always looking for ways to make the client relationships and work product better with a work environment current with technology, while providing employees with a comfortable work atmosphere and encouraging continuing education. The firm is generous to the communities it serves with its donations and participation in area community events.”
Sue considers herself “living the dream” in rural Fergus Falls, surrounded by family and friends. Outside of the office, Sue enjoys each moment with grandchildren, outdoor recreational activities, reading, crafting and watching local sporting and cultural events. Volunteering time is also an intricate part of Sue’s commitment to Church and community.
Tracy Chaput
t.chaput@pemlaw.com | Fergus Falls | (218) 736-5493 - phone
Tracy Chaput started with the firm in 2001 after having worked for a well-known law firm in her hometown of Hallock, Minnesota, for 14 years. She has since assisted various attorneys and now is Chad Felstul’s primary paralegal, working with him in the areas of corporate law, real estate, utility and energy law, and other matters. She also currently assists Matt Van Bruggen in real estate and corporate law and is the firm’s title insurance administrator. Tracy is a Certified Minnesota Paralegal through the Minnesota Paralegal Association.
Lilly Christen
l.christen@pemlaw.com | Alexandria | (320) 759-3143 - phone
Lilly was raised in Tooele, Utah. She moved to Grand Forks shortly after graduating Tooele High School in 2019 to attend college at the University of North Dakota, where she earned her Bachelors of Science in Psychology and Criminal Justice. Lilly moved to Alexandria, MN in May of 2023 where she currently assists Attorney Curtis Ripley in civil litigation at Pemberton.
In her free time, Lilly loves to read, hike, go to the gym, and spend time with friends/family (and her two adorable cats, Leo and Felix).
Jasmine Craig
j.craig@pemlaw.com | Detroit Lakes | (218) 847-4858 - phone
Jasmine grew up in Staples, Minnesota and graduated from Staples-Motley High School in 2013. She attended North Dakota State College of Science in Wahpeton, North Dakota, to pursue her general studies and play college basketball for a year. She then transferred to Minnesota State University Moorhead (MSUM) to pursue a Bachelor of Science degree in Paralegal Studies and graduated with her degree in 2018. Jasmine started as an intern for Pemberton Law in May 2018.
In her spare time, Jasmine enjoys spending time with her family, friends, traveling, playing basketball, being at the lakes, and being outdoors as much as possible.
Nancy Dykhoff
n.dykhoff@pemlaw.com | Detroit Lakes | (218) 847-4858 - phone
Nancy has been a legal assistant at the Detroit Lakes location since 2010, and primarily works with Attorney Charlie Seuntjens in estate planning. Nancy grew up in the Wadena Deer Creek area and currently lives with her husband and two sons on a small hobby farm in rural Erhard. She attended St. Cloud Business College and initially started with the firm in 1996, in Fergus Falls.
Stacey Dykhoff
s.dykhoff@pemlaw.com | Wadena | (218) 631-1400 - phone
Stacey enjoys working as a legal secretary for the Pemberton Law Firm at the Wadena location. She was born and raised in Wadena. Her and her husband, Wayne, are the proud parents of five children, Jake, Justin, Joshua, Jenna, and Jada. Stacey loves living in the country on a small hobby farm in Wadena and attending all of her children’s activities (baseball, football, hockey, volleyball, basketball, and softball). When able in her “spare” time she also enjoys going for walks, gardening, watching sporting events on tv, playing bingo, being outside, and spending time with family, friends, and her granddog, Baker.
Sarah Hanson
s.hanson@pemlaw.com | Fergus Falls | (218) 736-5493 - phone
Sarah was born in Hutchinson, Minnesota. She attended Bemidji State University and Minnesota State University Moorhead (MSUM), graduating with a Bachelor of Science degree in Paralegal. She began working for Pemberton Law in 2013, and is a member of our Employment and Labor law team. She assists attorney Josh Heggem with all areas of his practice, including a focus on investigative matters.
In her free time, Sarah focuses on all the things that make her happy. This primarily means spending every moment she can adventuring and making memories with her daughter. It also includes traveling to her parents’ cabin on Woman Lake in Hackensack, Minnesota, reading, and spending time in nature and with family and friends. Sarah dreams of one day spending her personal time surrounded by loved ones and a menagerie of animals on a small hobby farm.
Robin Hilde
Jolene Holt
j.holt@pemlaw.com | Alexandria | (320) 759-3143 - phone
Jolene joined Pemberton in 2021 after having worked at a law firm in St. Cloud for eight years. She works with attorney Matthew S. Van Bruggen in family law and civil litigation. Jolene received a Bachelor of Science Paralegal Degree in 2011. Jolene and Josh reside in Richmond with their three children, Evelyn, Claire and Rhys. In her spare time, she enjoys spending time with family, reading, golfing and being at the lake.
Allison Jensen
a.jensen@pemlaw.com | Alexandria | (320) 759-3143 - phone
Allison grew up on a farm outside of Comfrey, MN, and moved to Alexandria to join Pemberton Law in 2024. She received her Associate of Applied Science degree in Paralegal from Alexandria Technical and Community College in December 2022, later completing a Liberal Arts and Sciences Associate of Arts degree in 2023. In her free time, Allison enjoys writing, photography, spending time with family and friends, lending her musical talents to her home church, traveling, and exploring the outdoors.
Allison assists attorney Marc Sugden in the areas of estate planning, utility and energy, real estate, and general corporate law.
Mandy Kaatz
m.kaatz@pemlaw.com | Alexandria | (320) 759-3143 - phone
Mandy joined Pemberton Law in 2007. She predominantly works in the areas of Estate Planning, Business/Corporate Law and Real Estate Law for attorney Nicholas Heydt in the Alexandria office. Mandy received her Associates in Applied Science degree in Paralegal from Alexandria Technical and Community College in April of 2007. She then later received her Bachelor of Science degree in Business Management from Southwest Minnesota State University in May of 2010.
Mandy and her husband, Kyle, reside in Villard, Minnesota, with their son, Jude. She enjoys spending time with family and friends, coaching volleyball, traveling and being at the lake.
Danielle Kraus
d.kraus@pemlaw.com | Detroit Lakes | (218) 847-4858 - phone
Danielle grew up on her parent’s resort on Shell Lake, Minnesota and currently resides in the Park Rapids area. She graduated from Frazee-Vegas High School before attending Minnesota State University Moorhead (MSUM) to pursue a Bachelor of Science degree in Paralegal. While pursuing her degree, she worked for a local bankruptcy attorney. She graduated from MSUM in May of 2010 with an emphasis in Civil and Criminal Litigation. After graduation, she worked for a collection and criminal defense law firms in downtown Fargo. In 2012, Danielle moved back to the lakes area and joined the Pemberton Law Firm in May 2013. Danielle primarily works with attorney Charles Seuntjens in Estate Planning, Business Succession, and Corporate Law.
In her free time, Danielle enjoys spending time with her family and friends; camping/​backpacking trips; a good book; baking; gardening; and volunteering with Hubbard County as a Master Recycler and Composter.
Tarin Ladwig
t.ladwig@pemlaw.com | Detroit Lakes | (218) 847-4858 - phone
Tarin is a Legal Assistant in our Detroit Lakes office and has been with the firm since 2006 when the Hummel Law Firm merged with Pemberton Law.
Nicole Martinson
n.martinson@pemlaw.com | Detroit Lakes | (218) 847-4858 - phone
Nicole joined Pemberton Law in January of 2024 at the Detroit Lakes location. She earned her Legal Assistant Degree in 1993 from Minnesota State University-Detroit Lakes, her Bachelor’s Degree in Business Management in 2003 from the University of Mary in Bismarck, North Dakota, and her Master’s Degree in Organizational Behavior in 2012 from Benedictine University in Chicago, IL. Nicole has over 25 years of experience working in the legal field in various areas of the law. She works for Attorney Charlie Seuntjens in Estate Planning.
Nicole was born and raised in Detroit Lakes, MN and resides there with her husband and son. In her spare time, she enjoys listening to her old vinyl’s and doing anything that involves being in or near the water. Being at the lake with her family and friends is her happy place.
Monica Metz
m.metz@pemlaw.com | Fergus Falls | (218) 736-5493 - phone
Monica Metz joined Pemberton in February of 2019. Monica graduated from Minnesota State Community and Technical College in 2018 with an Associates in Applied Science Paralegal Degree and graduated from Bemidji State University in 2024 with a Criminal Justice, Bachelor of Science degree with a Law Enforcement emphasis. Monica works for attorney Katrina Wass in the area of Family Law.
Monica and her husband Kyle have two boys, Jayden and Landyn. On her time off, Monica loves watching her kids play hockey, fishing, trying new foods, going on walks, traveling to California to visit her family, and traveling anywhere warm where she can sit on the beach all day long.
Danielle Miller
d.miller@pemlaw.com | Detroit Lakes | (218) 847-4858 - phone
Danielle grew up in Raton, New Mexico. After graduating from the University of Colorado-Boulder in 1998 with a business degree, she moved to Phoenix, Arizona. When she moved to Phoenix, she decided she wanted to be a paralegal. She attended Phoenix College and received her degree in Paralegal Studies in 2000 and in that same year passed NALA’s certification exam and became a certified paralegal. She also attended Arizona State University in Tempe, Arizona and graduated with a Master’s Degree in Legal Studies in 2005.
In February, 2023, after spending over 25 years in Arizona, Danielle and her husband Cal (and 4 fur babies) decided to move to Vergas, Minnesota. In March, 2023, Danielle began working at Pemberton Law, she works with attorney Nicole J. Tabbut.
In her spare time Danielle enjoys drawing, traveling, listening to jazz, watching sports, and most importantly snuggling with her cats and dog.
Ben Olson
b.olson@pemlaw.com | Fergus Falls | (218) 736-5493 - phone
After nearly a decade in Minneapolis, Ben returned to his hometown, Fergus Falls, to begin his career at Pemberton Law in 2020.
Ben previously worked for an estate recoveries company as a senior estate claims specialist. His extensive experience in task management, meeting deadlines, and team collaboration helped prepare him for his role as a legal assistant at Pemberton Law. As part of the litigation team, he primarily assists attorney Kendra Olson with civil litigation matters.
When Ben isn’t working, he enjoys spending time with family and friends, being involved in the church, and creating music.
Donna Ripplinger
d.ripplinger@pemlaw.com | Fergus Falls | (218) 736-5493 - phone
Donna attended Minnesota State Community and Technical College for the Administrative Assistant program. Donna joined Pemberton Law in June 2017. She is a legal assistant to Attorney Nick Heydt and works in the areas of Probate and Estate Planning.
Allie Staples
a.staples@pemlaw.com | Alexandria | (320) 759-3143 - phone
Allie was born and raised in Evansville, MN and resides there with her husband on her grandparents old farm. She graduated from North Dakota State University in 2022 with her bachelor’s degree in business administration. She joined the Pemberton team in 2024 and currently works for attorney Nicholas Heydt in the area of Estate Planning.
In her free time, you can find Allie spending time with family and friends, playing with her dog, Doug, working out, or cooking.
Julia Sorenson
j.sorenson@pemlaw.com | Alexandria | (320) 759-3143 - phone
Julia grew up in Ontario, Canada and moved to Minnesota in 2007. For the seven years prior to joining Pemberton in 2019, she worked at a law firm in St. Cloud. Julia now resides in Alexandria with her two sons. In her spare time, Julia enjoys listening to music, spending time with family and friends.
Julia works with attorney Marc Sugden in the Alexandria office, in the areas of real estate, commercial lending, and general corporate law.
Candi Wangen
c.wangen@pemlaw.com | Alexandria | (320) 759-3143 - phone
Candi received an Associate Degree in Applied Science from Alexandria’s Technical College Legal Administrative Assistant Program. Prior to joining Pemberton Law in 2013, Candi worked for Tillitt, McCarten, Johnson & Haseman Ltd. Candi assists attorney Nick Adams in the areas of Estate Planning and Probate. Candi and her family enjoy outdoor activities, such as hunting, fishing and four-wheeling, as well as spending time with family and friends.