Steve Ness

Steven Ness earned his undergraduate degree from Luther College in Decorah, Iowa, and his Juris Doctorate at William Mitchell College of Law. For more than twenty-five years the primary focus of Steve’s practice has been business planning and serving as general counsel for many closely held businesses.

Steven also has extensive litigation experience ranging from complex cases involving intellectual property issues, licensing, sales representatives, breach of contract, unfair competition and negligent trust administration to defending and prosecuting large and small disputes between business owners.

Steve is also an experienced estate planner and has represented financial institution trust departments. He has a wide range of experience in the merger, sale or acquisition of businesses, business succession, exit strategies and real estate.

Steven is admitted to practice in State and Federal District Courts, the U.S. Court of Appeals. Steve is a member of the Hennepin County and Minnesota Bar Associations and is also on the Minnesota Supreme Court’s list of approved neutrals and serves as on the complex commercial dispute panel with the American Arbitration Association, National Arbitration Forum and provides private mediation services through Advance Mediation Center, Inc.

Steve is a frequent lecturer on his areas of practice to various business organizations and professional groups, and serves as a mediator in:
• Shareholder disputes
• Employment cases involving claims of discrimination and sexual harassment
• Unfair competition matters
• Property disputes
• Mechanic liens
• Divorce
• Child custody matters

Steven strongly encourages mediation in legal disputes. It is the one stage in the dispute resolution process that the parties themselves control. As a mediator, it is critical to be a good listener and sounding board while remaining neutral. An effective mediator provides productive feedback to the parties and their respective counsel, if present; sometimes challenging positions and perceptions.