Terzich & Ort, LLP

Jodi Marie Terzich

Jodi Terzich is a partner who practiced family law at Rider Bennett, focusing on paternity, divorce, custody and child support actions. Jodi is a member of the Minnesota State and Hennepin County Bar Associations. From August 1997 to May 1998, she was a law clerk for Judge Margaret Shaw Johnson in Minnesota's Third Judicial District. She also was a certified Guardian ad Litem for four years. Prior to joining Rider Bennett, Jodi practiced family, criminal and juvenile law for three years at a law firm in St. Cloud. Jodi has been recognized as a Super Lawyer every year since 2009. She was recognized as a Rising Star by Super Lawyers in 2006, 2007 and 2009. In addition, Jodi was also recognized as one of the Top 50: 2015 Women Super Lawyers®. She also received this recognition in 2010 and 2014. A cum laude graduate of the University of Minnesota Duluth in 1991, Jodi spent more than five years working in the mental health field and was a program coordinator for a women's group home serving mentally ill and chemically dependent women in Minneapolis. She continued her work serving the mentally ill while earning her J.D. and graduated cum laude from William Mitchell College of Law in 1997. A native of Minnesota, Jodi lives in Ramsey with her husband and two children. She devotes most of her personal time to her family, these days. In 1994, Jodi ran in Grandma's Marathon in Duluth.

Education: Cum Laude graduate of the University of Minnesota Duluth , Cum Laude from William Mitchell College of Law

Certifications: Minnesota State and Hennepin County Bar Associations , Super Lawyer since 2009 , Rising Star by Super Lawyers in 2006, 2007, 2009 , One of the Top 50: 2015 Women Super Lawyers®, Also in 2010, 2014 , Minnesota State Bar Association, Member , Hennepin County Bar Association, Member , American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers, Divorce Camp Facilitator, 2014 - Present , University of St. Thomas: School of Law, Mentor, 2006 - 2009

Services: Family Law

Shannon Leigh Ort

Shannon Ort is a founding partner of Terzich and Ort, LLP. She devotes her practice exclusively to family law focusing on divorce, custody, child support, spousal maintenance and paternity matters. She received her J.D. from William Mitchell College of Law and her B.A. in criminal justice and legal studies magna cum laude from Hamline University. Prior to founding Terzich & Ort, Shannon was an associate with Rider Bennett in Minneapolis. Shannon is a member of the Minnesota State Bar Association and the Hennepin County Bar Association. She is also admitted in Federal Court, a member of the family law section, and a Rule 114 family law neutral. Shannon was named a "Rising Star" by Minnesota Law & Politics magazine in 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010 and 2011. Rising Stars names the top lawyers in Minnesota. Only 2.5 percent of Minnesota attorneys are identified by Rising Stars. Minnesota Rising Stars is published annually in the December/January issues of Minnesota Law & Politics, Mpls.St.Paul Magazine, and Twin Cities Business. Shannon was also featured in Marquis Who's Who 2007 and 2008 publications. Shannon has been a guest speaker at local law schools and was recently a guest on the Don Shelby radio show relative to the new Minnesota child support law changes. Shannon was named Top 40 under 40 by the American Society of Legal Advocates, an organization comprised of the nation’s most skilled lawyers. The selection process is rigorous and ultimately 1.5% of lawyers are named nationally. She was also recognized as a Top 50 Women Super Lawyers in Minnesota in 2016 & 2017. She was named as a top attorney in Minnesota by Minnesota Monthly Magazine in January 2014, and a Super Lawyer by Minnesota Law and Politics in 2014, 2015 and 2016.

Education: William Mitchell College of Law, St Paul, Minnesota , Hamline University

Certifications: Hennepin County Bar Association, Member, 2001 - Present , ABA, Member, 2001 - Present , North Hennepin Area Chamber of Commerce , Top 50: Women Minnesota Super Lawyers, 2016 - 2017 , Recognized Super Lawyers®, 2014 - 2017 , Best Lawyers In America - 2015 , Maple Grove, MN Attorney of the Year - 2015 , Super Lawyers Minnesota Law & Politics Magazine, 2014 - 2015 , Top Lawyer in Minnesota, awarded by Minnesota Monthly - 2014 , Rising Star - Minnesota Law Politics Magazine, 2006 - 2011

Services: Family Law , Divorce , Custody , Child Support , Spousal Maintenance , Paternity Matters

Kaitlyn J. Andren

Kaitlyn J. Andren is a partner at Terzich & Ort, LLP, who devotes her practice exclusively to family law. She brings a thoughtful and practical approach to helping clients with a wide range of family law issues, including divorce, legal separation, physical custody, legal custody, parenting time, child support, spousal maintenance, property division, debt allocation, paternity, contempt, domestic abuse, harassment, and step-parent adoption. Before joining Terzich & Ort, LLP, Kaitlyn developed her family law practice while working for several years as a family law attorney at another small family law firm. Kaitlyn also worked as a law clerk for the Honorable Edward T. Wahl at the Family Justice Center in Hennepin County and worked as a Special Assistant County Attorney in the family law division of the Anoka County Attorney's Office. Kaitlyn's previous positions allowed her to gain meaningful experience handling family law issues and develop first-hand knowledge of the court system and the judicial decision-making process. Kaitlyn also practices family law at the appellate level. She wrote a brief as amicus curiae with Standpoint (MN) in support of appellant's position in Pooley v. Pooley, A20-1250 (Minn. 2022), which was a case regarding omitted assets in a divorce. The Minnesota Supreme Court ruled in favor of appellant, which was a huge victory for making sure financially abusive spouses are prevented from forcing their victims to agree to extremely inequitable divisions of property while leaving them no recourse to challenge those divisions. Kaitlyn also helped a client successfully appeal an Order for Protection matter in 2018. In re the Matter of Hansen v. Richter, A17-1063 (Minn. Ct. App. 2018) (nonprecedential opinion). Kaitlyn has earned consistent recognition as being among the top 2.5% of lawyers in her region, and she has received "Excellent" client ratings on Avvo along with the site's Clients' Choice Award. She is honored for her outstanding professionalism and stellar client service. Kaitlyn has been selected as a Rising Star by Super Lawyers® publication in 2021 and 2022. While up to five percent of the lawyers in Minnesota are named to Super Lawyers®, no more than two and a half percent are named to the Rising Stars list. Kaitlyn has also been recognized as a North Star Lawyer by the Minnesota State Bar Association for providing at least 50 hour of pro bono legal services to low-income individuals at no fee and without expectation of a fee. Kaitlyn earned her Bachelor of Arts from Gustavus Adolphus College and her Juris Doctor from the University of St. Thomas School of Law. She is a member of the Minnesota State Bar Association, the Hennepin County Bar Association (Family Law Section), the Association of Family and Conciliation Courts (AFCC), the Family Law League, and Minnesota Women Lawyers. In addition, Kaitlyn serves as a volunteer attorney and is a Qualified Neutral under Rule 114 of the Minnesota General Rules of Practice. Kaitlyn serves as a Class Engagement Officer to the University of St. Thomas School of Law Class of 2015. She also serves as a mentor to a law student at the University of St. Thomas School of Law through their Mentor-Externship program each year. In addition, Kaitlyn volunteers as a mentor to an undergrad student at Gustavus Adolphus College through the Gustavus Mentoring program each year. In her spare time, Kaitlyn enjoys traveling, baking gluten free goodies, playing tennis, and spending time with family and friends and her dog, Stanley.

Education: University of St. Thomas School of Law, Minneapolis, Minnesota J.D. , Gustavus Adolphus College B.A.

Certifications: Minnesota State Bar Association , Hennepin County Bar Association (Family Law Section) , Association of Family and Conciliation Courts (AFCC) , Family Law League , Minnesota Women Lawyers , Volunteer attorney and is a Qualified Neutral under Rule 114 of the Minnesota General Rules of Practice.

Services: Family Law , Divorce , Legal Separation , Physical Custody , Legal Custody , Parenting Time , Child Support , Spousal Maintenance , Property Division , Debt Allocation , Paternity , Contempt , Domestic Abuse , Harrasment , Adoption

Kelly Marie Suter

Kelly joined Terzich & Ort, LLP as an Associate Attorney in June of 2023. She graduated from the University of North Dakota School of Law and has been licensed to practice law in Minnesota since 2017. During law school, Kelly was a legal extern with Legal Services of North Dakota, where she focused on family law cases - including meeting with clients and drafting documents. She also worked as a law clerk for the Hennepin County Attorney's Office in the Adult Prosecution Division, appearing in court as a certified student attorney and researching complex legal issues in addition to drafting memorandums. She also served as a Legislative Intern with the North Dakota Legislative Council where she drafted amendments to bills and statutes and became even more familiar with statute composition and the legislative process. After law school, Kelly served as Judicial Law Clerk to the Honorable Tammi A. Fredrickson in Anoka County, Tenth Judicial District, Minnesota from 2017 until 2019 and then for the Honorable Karin L. McCarthy from 2019 until 2021. In these positions, she worked on a variety of cases, ranging from criminal, civil, juvenile, and family law matters. Kelly worked as a family law attorney at a firm in Otsego, Minnesota from 2021-2023. Kelly strives to act as an advocate and a counselor, informing clients of their options while also providing honest advice. She recognizes that this is often a difficult time in clients' lives and works with compassion and understanding while advocating for clients' best interests with the least amount of conflict. Outside of work, Kelly enjoys spending time with her family and friends and trying new foods in the Twin Cities area.

Education: University of North Dakota School of Law, Grand Forks, North Dakota J.D. , University of Minnesota-Twin Cities, Minneapolis, Minnesota B.A.

Services: Family Law

Siman Mohamed

Siman Mohamed is a skilled Family Law Paralegal at Terzich & Ort, LLP, where she supports our attorneys in a wide range of family law matters, including divorce, custody disputes, parenting time, and other related modifications. With a strong understanding of the complexities and sensitivities involved in family law, Siman plays a key role in case management, document preparation, and client communication. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and International Relations and brings a thoughtful, detail-oriented approach to every case. Siman is fluent in English and Somali, allowing her to assist clients from diverse backgrounds with professionalism and empathy.

Marcy Miller

Marcy has been a paralegal at Terzich & Ort since 2010. Prior to joining Terzich & Ort, Marcy was a judicial clerk to Referee Susan Cochrane in Hennepin County Family Court. Marcy was born and raised in Southern California and came to Minnesota for college. She graduated from the U of M-Twin Cities with a degree in English and eventually attended North Hennepin for her paralegal certificate. Marcy has an adult daughter and in her she enjoys reading, spending time with her family, and hanging out with her dog(s).

Education: University of Minnesota-Twin Cities

Leanne Bobleter

Leanne joined Terzich & Ort, LLP, as a paralegal in June 2023. Leanne has over 20 years of experience as a paralegal working with firms handling family law, criminal cases, wills and estate planning, creditor remedies, adversarial bankruptcy, personal injury, and asbestos-related injury matters. She attended North Hennepin Community College. Leanne grew up in South St. Paul, MN. In her free time, Leanne enjoys cooking, crocheting, being at the cabin, and spending time with her family and two dogs.

Patricia Russell

Tricia Russell is our office manager with over 25 years in the field. She has extensive experience with all administrative tasks, including scheduling and correspondence. Having held positions in the administrative field, Tricia is able to tailor her skills to meet the needs of our firm. In Tricia’s free time she enjoys shopping, cooking, singing karaoke and hanging out with her family. Tricia Russell was born in Amarillo, TX and she was raised in Fresno, CA. She now resides in New Brighton, MN.