Erdmann, Lindsey K.

Linda Olup is one of Minnesota's leading family law attorneys and mediators, known for her work in successfully helping individuals and families transition through the complicated maze of divorce, dissolution and separation, creating a bridge to their future. She is known for her creative, thoughtful, and assertive representation throughout the settlement process and in litigation, if the case cannot be settled.

Since her career began, Linda has been a leader in the legal community.  Linda is one of a handful of family lawyers who have been listed annually in Minnesota Super Lawyers since its inception in 1991 and is recognized as one of the "Top 50 Women Lawyers in Minnesota." She holds an AV® Preeminent Peer Review Rating in the distinguished legal directory, Martindale-Hubbell®, a peer review rating distinguishing her as a one of the preeminent attorney in the United States, rated at the highest level of professional experience and ethical conduct.* Linda has also been listed as a leading divorce lawyer in the Guidebook to Law and Leading Attorneys and has been recognized in Who's Who in American Law. Linda was named to the Mpls.St.Paul Magazine's list of Who's Who in ADR.

Representing men and women for more than 35 years, Linda seeks problem-solving solutions that are designed to manage clients' emotional stress and legal expenses, and minimize the need for litigation, all while maximizing the potential for reaching a successful outcome. Linda understands that each client is unique and has different needs as goals.  Tailoring her approach to fit each client's case and specific circumstances, Linda often manages the high costs associated with divorce through the use of early neutral appraisals and evaluations, as well as alternative dispute resolution (ADR), to settle family matters out of court. Because of her years of experience in family law, she is frequently sought out to mediate many family law matters.  She is listed on the Minnesota Supreme Court's roster of Rule 114 qualified neutrals and is certified by the Minnesota State Bar Association (MSBA) as an arbitrator. She also serves as a Parenting Time Expeditor and Parenting Consultant.

Linda works closely with clients to address their most pressing financial and custodial issues.  She is a seasoned negotiator and litigator.  Linda represents individuals with varying marital estates and incomes including those with simple marital assets and high net worth divorces involving complex financial interests and assets exceeding $1M. She has significant experience handling divorce cases involving complex business and real estate valuations, executive compensation, closely-held businesses, family trust and estate issues, intellectual property, tax issues, non-marital assets, long- and short-term spousal maintenance, child support and child custody. She regularly counsels parents on a variety of issues, including the establishment of cooperative shared parenting agreements and sole custody arrangements when there is a basis for sole custody. Linda was instrumental in drafting language found in the parenting consultant contracts still widely used today throughout Minnesota and other states.

Throughout her career, Linda has had a strong interest in protecting the rights of children.  She worked with the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers (AAML) in creating a "Children's Bill of Rights" for children with parents experiencing separation and divorce. Her interest in protecting the rights of children included her involvement in an amicus brief submitted by the AAML in the landmark U.S. Supreme Court case of Troxel v. Troxel. Since 2002, Linda has served on the Advisory Board for the Minnesota Urban Debate League (MNUDL) which creates personal and educational benefits and opportunities for inner city children through debate. 

Linda is a fellow in the AAML , becoming one of the first female fellows. She is also a member of the Family Law Sections of the American Bar, Minnesota State and Hennepin County Bar associations. She is a member of the American Families and Conciliation Court (AFCC) which is an interdisciplinary and international association of professionals dedicated to the resolution of family conflict.  Linda has been quoted in the New York Times regarding executive compensation and is a co-author of the family law treatise first published in 1992 by West Publishing, now Thomson Reuters, the world's leading publisher of legal books.  She is a frequent lecturer and writer on child custody, financial issues, trial techniques, executive compensation and other topics related to divorce and family law. She has appeared on local and national television, as well as several radio talk shows.

Linda received her B.A. from Rutgers University and her J.D. from William Mitchell College of Law. She is licensed to practice law in Minnesota state courts, U.S. District Court of Minnesota, and the 8th Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals.

*AV® Preeminent^TM is a certification mark of Reed Elsevier Properties Inc., used in accordance with the Martindale-Hubbell certification procedures, standards and policies.