Aug 20, 2026
Vogel Law Firm is proud to announce that several attorneys have been recognized in the 2027 editions of The Best Lawyers in America®, Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch® in America, and “Lawyer of the Year” Awards. These honors are awarded to attorneys based entirely on peer review, highlighting those who exhibit the highest level of integrity, professionalism, and legal talent.
Attorneys H. Patrick Weir Jr. and Lisa Edison-Smith were each named 2027 Lawyer of the Year, one of Best Lawyers’ highest individual honors. Awarded to only one attorney in each practice area and metropolitan region, the distinction is based entirely on confidential peer evaluations. Patrick was recognized for Personal Injury Litigation – Plaintiffs, while Lisa earned the honor in Employment Law – Management.
This year, Vogel attorneys have been acknowledged across a wide range of legal services, including personal injury and business law, litigation and legal matters affecting the employment, health care and real estate industries. The firm’s continued presence in these prestigious publications reflects our unwavering commitment to delivering exceptional legal counsel to our clients across North Dakota, Minnesota, and beyond.
Best Lawyers honors the top 5% of private practice attorneys nationwide, while Ones to Watch spotlights lawyers who are early in their careers yet already demonstrating outstanding professional excellence.
Join us in congratulating all of our recognized attorneys!
H. Patrick Weir Jr., Personal Injury Litigation – Plaintiffs
Lisa Edison-Smith, Employment Law – Management
Brenda L. Blazer, Medical Malpractice Law – Defendants
R.J. Pathroff, Commercial Litigation, Construction Law, Litigation – Construction
Monte Rogneby, Litigation – Land Use and Zoning, Litigation – Municipal
Jesse Walstad, Criminal Defense: General Practice
Jerilynn Brantner Adams, Family Law
Lisa Edison-Smith, Education Law, Employment Law – Management, Labor Law – Management, Litigation – Labor and Employment
Luke Heck, Criminal Defense: General Practice
Angie E. Lord, Health Care Law
Robert G. Manly, Litigation – Trusts and Estates
Tami Norgard, Environmental Law, Litigation – Environmental, Natural Resources Law, Water Law
Bruce D. Quick, Criminal Defense: General Practice, Criminal Defense: White-Collar, DUI/DWI Defense
Joshua Swanson, Commercial Litigation, Construction Law, Energy Law, Oil and Gas Law
Matthew L. Thompson, Business Organizations (including LLCs and Partnerships)
H. Patrick Weir Jr., Personal Injury Litigation – Plaintiffs
Bennett Johnson, Environmental Law
Briana L. Rummel, Health Care Law, Insurance Law, Medical Malpractice Law – Defendants, Personal Injury Litigation – Defendants
Nick Surma, Commercial Litigation, Litigation – Construction
Seth A. Thompson, Construction Law, Labor and Employment Law – Management, Litigation – Labor and Employment
Erica Hovey, Criminal Defense: General Practice
Andrew D. Smith, Corporate Law, Mergers and Acquisitions Law, Real Estate Law, Securities/Capital Markets Law
For more information about Best Lawyers and the methodology, click here.