Erika N. Donner
by Jane Pribek
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Born: Aug. 5, 1977; Eagan, Minn.
Education: University of Kansas School of Law, J.D., 2002; University of Kansas, B.S.W., 1999
Employment: Kuhn Law Firm, associate, 2008-present; Dady & Garner, associate, 2003-06
Professional Associations: American Bar Association, Hennepin County Bar Association, Minnesota State Bar Association
Community Activities: MOMS Club of Minneapolis Lakes
Hobbies/Interests: Family activities, University of Kansas Jayhawks
Personal: Husband, Scott; two sons
Kuhn Law Firm, P.L.L.C.
Education: University of Kansas School of Law, J.D., 2002; University of Kansas, B.S.W., 1999
Employment: Kuhn Law Firm, associate, 2008-present; Dady & Garner, associate, 2003-06
Professional Associations: American Bar Association, Hennepin County Bar Association, Minnesota State Bar Association
Community Activities: MOMS Club of Minneapolis Lakes
Hobbies/Interests: Family activities, University of Kansas Jayhawks
Personal: Husband, Scott; two sons
Attorney Erika N. Donner says she’s “passionate about the little guy.”
A case exemplifying that commitment took place a few years ago while she was employed with Dady & Garner in Minneapolis, a small firm with a nationwide franchise litigation practice. Donner represented a small-business owner who she argued was wrongfully terminated from his distributorship of a large company. The arbitrator agreed and awarded him compensation.
Millions of dollars weren’t at stake, but rather the client’s business, livelihood and dignity. It was uplifting to help him achieve a positive result, she says.
Donner has always wanted to be a lawyer, and says she can imagine herself in public interest law eventually. For now, she’s building her practice with attorney C.J. Kuhn at Kuhn Law Firm in Minnetonka, a boutique concentrating in business transactions and litigation.
She’s doing this part time, easing back into her work, having just had a baby in January. In fact, she now has two little guys to be passionate about: baby Davis and her firstborn, 2-year-old Brennan.
In addition to her work and family responsibilities, Donner is very active with the New Lawyers Section of the Minnesota State Bar Association. She now serves as vice chairwoman of the 4,000-plus member group.
All told, she has donated hundreds of hours to the state bar association, mostly coordinating continuing legal education, social events and service projects. This year, for example, the New Lawyers Section is assisting the Wills for Heroes program, and Donner has been getting the word out to recruit volunteers.
A Minnesota native, Donner received her education at the University of Kansas. She returned in 2003 after law school, and doesn’t anticipate working full time again until her children are in school full time as well.
“I’ve always been concerned about finding that ideal work-life balance, and I think I’ve found it,” Donner says.
“My former firm was very good to me; they let me take five months maternity leave and work partly from home. But it was still too much,” she says. “I just didn’t want to work all the time. I was ready to make my family the biggest part of my life, and I’ll definitely do that for a few years to come.”
In the meantime, “I love staying connected with part-time work and with the state bar. I’ve met a lot of good people and that’s been my main motivation for staying involved,” Donner says.
