SHAREHOLDER

Paul D. Brown

Areas of practice: Estate Planning, Real Estate, Probate Administration, Trust Administration.

Paul grew up in the Boston area and is a graduate of The College of the Holy Cross.  After moving to Minnesota, he graduated with honors from William Mitchell College of Law.  During his years in practice, Paul has focused on estate planning for families, small business and farm families.  

Early in his career, Paul took his practice mobile. He has clients from Duluth to Milwaukee, and everywhere in between. “Chandler and Brown provides its clients a certain level of expertise; I’ve focused my practice on estate planning and trust and probate administration for 30 years. I have found I can provide great value by bringing that experience and specialization outside of the metro area, throughout Minnesota and Wisconsin.”

A practice area that has really grown recently for Paul is family farm planning. “Generally speaking, farmers want their family farm to be an asset for the entire family for multiple generations. This is an area I have really been able to help clients maximize the potential of their biggest and most prized asset in a way that can protect the farm for generations.”

As the managing partner of Chandler and Brown, Ltd., Paul leads with a family focus rarely achieved in the legal community. “I’m proud that I was able to coach both of my children’s basketball and soccer teams throughout their childhoods while growing a successful legal practice. I want all the professionals at Chandler and Brown to have balance in their lives between work and family. After all, estate planning is about family—it’s important to work with a law firm that understands that.”.

Bar Admissions: Minnesota, 1982, U.S. District Court District of Minnesota, 1982
Education: William Mitchell College of Law, St Paul, Minnesota, J.D., Doctor of Jurisprudence cum laude 1982, College of the Holy Cross B.A. cum laude
Professional Associations & Memberships: American Bar Association, Minnesota State Bar Association

SHAREHOLDER

Abraham T. Schwager

Areas of practice: Estate Planning, Business Planning, Real Estate, Probate Administration, Trust Administration.

Each client of mine has specific circumstances that drive my recommendation to accomplish their goals.  Collaboration with my client’s other advisors and educating each client about the solutions I offer are fundamental to my approach.

I bring expertise in the following practice areas:

• Estate planning
• Business succession planning and farm transition planning
• Estate and trust administration
• Acquisition and sale of businesses
• Farm trusts, cabin trusts, charitable remainder trusts, intentionally defective grantor trusts, family limited partnerships, grantor retained annuity trusts, irrevocable life insurance trusts, supplemental needs trusts and other sophisticated planning techniques to achieve wealth transition and preservation

I teach continuing education to attorneys, accountants and financial advisors on estate planning and business planning topics.  I also regularly speak to groups about estate planning and charitable giving.

I was raised in rural Iowa and now live in Woodbury where my time outside of work is spent with my wife and five energetic children. I am active in my church where I teach classes in Christian education, and I have been involved in many community activities.  Outside of the office I enjoy reading, hunting and playing sports, but the majority of my time is really spent reading news articles, trying to keep rabbits out of our yard, and attending or coaching our children’s activities including gymnastics, cheer, basketball, softball, baseball, football and hockey.

Bar Admissions:

• Minnesota
• U.S. District Court District of Minnesota
• Wisconsin
• Iowa

Education:

• William Mitchell College of Law, St. Paul, Minnesota J.D. cum laude 
• Iowa State University B.S. with distinction

Professional Associations & Memberships:

Minnesota State Bar Association, Member

Pro Bono Activities:

• Past Commissioner, Woodbury Economic Development Committee
• Volunteer, The First Tee of Woodbury

SHAREHOLDER

Janelle J. Chambers

Areas of practice: Estate Planning, Elder Law, Business Planning, Real Estate, Trust Administration, Probate Administration

Janelle was born and raised in Southern California. She received her Juris Doctor degree from the University of St. Thomas School of Law, cum laude. She specializes in the areas of Estate and Charitable Planning, Trust and Probate Administration, and Elder Law. Janelle presents frequently to the Twin Cities community on Estate and Charitable Planning. Some of her recent audiences include legal and financial advisors, nonprofit organizations, and government agencies, such as the Minnesota Department of Human Services.

Janelle is an active member of the Minnesota and Wisconsin State Bar Associations, the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys (NAELA), and the St. Paul and Minnesota Foundations’ Cornerstone Council. She has served as a volunteer with the Minnesota State Bar Foundation and currently volunteers with Minnesota’s chapter of Wills for Heroes, as well as the Eden Prairie Hockey Association and the Eden Prairie Soccer Association. She currently lives in Eden Prairie with her husband and their five children. In her free time, Janelle enjoys creative writing, supporting Minnesota hockey, and spending time outdoors with her family. 

Bar Admissions:

• Minnesota
• Wisconsin

Education:

• University of St. Thomas School of Law, Minneapolis, MN, J.D. cum laude
• Brigham Young University, B.A

Professional Associations & Memberships: Minnesota State Bar Association Member, Wisconsin State Bar Association Member, National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys (NAELA) Member, St. Paul and Minnesota Foundations’ Cornerstone Council Member
Pro Bono Activities:

• Wills for Heroes
• Minnesota State Bar Foundation
• Eden Prairie Soccer Association
• Eden Prairie Hockey Association

ATTORNEY

Joseph J. Pingatore

Areas of practice: Probate, Estate Litigation

Joe is a life-long resident of the Twin Cities. He completed his undergraduate study at the University of Minnesota and graduated with honors from William Mitchell College of Law.

Joe began his legal career as a trial attorney in private practice, then moved in-house to litigate many cases as a defense attorney for MSI Insurance. Later, going to the corporate side, Joe spent 15 years as Vice President General Counsel for two different insurance groups – first with MSI Insurance and then Western National Insurance. As chief legal officer for both companies, Joe was responsible for all legal and regulatory matters of the companies. He also managed the companies’ litigation, including complex multi-million dollar exposures.

Joe had an opportunity to retire early from his 25 years in the insurance industry, and after realizing even more time on the golf course wasn’t improving his game, he welcomed the chance to return to legal work with Chandler and Brown in the area of probate and estate litigation.

Bar Admissions: Minnesota, 1981, U.S. District Court District of Minnesota,1981
Education: William Mitchell College of Law, St. Paul, Minnesota, Doctor of Jurisprudence cum laude,1981, University of Minnesota, Bachelor of General Studies, 1975, Major: Social work and Counseling

ATTORNEY

John J. (Jack) Austin

Areas of practice:  Estate Planning, Elder Law, Probate and Trust Administration, and Real Estate.

Jack grew up in Plymouth, Minnesota, and graduated from the University of Minnesota. He earned his Juris Doctor at the University of St. Thomas School of Law in 2014 and was admitted to the bar that same year. His practice is focused on providing peace of mind for his clients by planning for health care needs and guiding family wealth to the next generation.

Growing up, Jack spent many summer weekends cruising Lake Superior on his family’s sailboat. During this time, Jack developed very close relationships with his two grandmothers, who both lived to see him reach adulthood. From these friendships and others, he developed an interest in the lives and experiences of his elders. These close relationships inspired Jack to focus on serving elders during his time at law school.

 Jack has served in the Elder Law Section of the Minnesota State Bar Association since 2016, with an interest in finding and developing the next generation of elder law attorneys. He was the Section Chair in 2020-2021 and participates on several committees. He has presented to other attorneys and to the public about elder law and probate administration. He has been named a Super Lawyers Rising Star every year since 2021. Jack volunteers with the Minnesota chapter of Wills for Heroes.

 Jack lives in Maplewood – he and his fiancée are currently busy planning a springtime wedding. In his spare time, Jack enjoys golfing (“ball” golf as well as disc golf), alpine skiing, performing and listening to music, watching old movies (and new ones), and reading. Jack coaches alpine skiing at Skijammers, a ski school in the Twin Cities, where he is also a staff trainer.

Bar Admissions:

• Minnesota

Education:

• University of St. Thomas School of Law, Minneapolis, MN, J.D.
• University of Minnesota – Twin Cities, B.A. 

Professional Associations & Memberships:

Minnesota State Bar Association, Member

Ramsey County Bar Association, Member

PARALEGAL

Danielle V. Treiber, MBA

Areas of practice: Probate Administration, Trust Administration, Guardianship and Conservatorship.

Danielle specializes in handling probate matters for the firm, including estate and trust administration, along with guardianship/ conservatorship matters in both Minnesota and Wisconsin.

She works closely with clients to ensure their needs are met with professionalism and empathy, and to make the legal process as smooth as possible during difficult times.

Danielle has been in the financial service industry for 20 years, providing planning, education, and community work, focusing on financial empowerment

When not working, Danielle (Dani) loves kayaking, biking, travelling, and trying to keep up with her three daughters.

Education:

• Masters in Business Administration, Walden University, 2005

• Bachelor of Arts, Gustavus Adolphus, 2000

• Certified Financial Planning Program, University of Maryland 2010

• Certified Financial Counselor, National Credit Union Association (NCUA), 2008

RETIRED

Robert H. Chandler

Areas of practice: Estate Planning, Business Planning, Real Estate, Trust Administration, Probate Administration

Over his 40 years of practice, Bob has developed a simple estate planning philosophy:  Begin with the End in Mind. “I focus on helping clients identify estate planning goals.  Once we know their goals, it’s a matter of using estate planning tools to reach those goals.”

The strong relationships Bob develops with clients are deeply satisfying. “For a number of families, I have had the privilege and pleasure serving several generations. A strong bond develops with clients when plans you put together years ago are now working for children and grandchildren”

Bob speaks frequently on estate planning. In addition to being the founding partner of Chandler and Brown, Ltd., Bob works on governing boards for numerous charities.

Bar Admissions: Minnesota, 1973
Education: Northwestern University School of Law, Chicago, Illinois, J.D. cum laude, Northwestern University B.S. cum laude, Wheaton College, M.S. cum laude
Professional Associations & Memberships: American Bar Association, Minnesota State Bar Association
Pro Bono Activities: United Hospital Foundation