Outstanding Alumni - 2006
Paul Godlewski
Bemidji State University Graduate 1970
Paul Godlewski earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology from BSU in 1970, and a Juris Doctor from the University of North Dakota School of Law in 1973. Paul is currently a partner in the Minneapolis law firm of Schwebel, Goetz & Sieben, P.A. Prior to joining this firm in 1990, he was a shareholder in the firm Barna, Guzy, Merrill, Hynes and Giancola, LTD for 17 years. Through the course of his career as a personal injury trial lawyer, Paul has participated in significant cases changing and defining the law in both product liability and underinsured motorist coverage. Paul has been an invited lecturer at continuing legal education seminars, was invited to speak at the National College of Trial Advocacy during the American Trial Lawyers annual convention in 1998, and has several articles published in professional publications. He has been recognized as one of the top personal injury trial lawyers in the State of Minnesota by Minneapolis St. Paul Magazine, a ?Super Lawyer? by Minnesota Law and Politics for nine consecutive years, and was recognized in the ?Best Lawyers in American? consumer guide by Woodward and White in 2001-2003. Paul has also been rated as an ?AV? lawyer in a Martindale Hubbard publication, which is the highest rating for legal ability and ethics in its recognized legal directory. Paul is also a member of the Minnesota Trial Lawyers Association, the American Trial Lawyers Association and the American Board of Trial Advocates. He is currently a member of the board of directors of the Brain Injury Association in Minnesota and a member of the Minnesota Million Dollar Round Table. He has previously been active in the Knights of Columbus and continues to be active in his parish organization. When his children were in school, Paul participated in youth activities, including coaching a junior high football team. Paul and his wife, Kathy, have two children, Daniel and Matthew. They make their home in Ramsey, Minnesota.