My story

“I knew I wanted to be a lawyer and represent companies dating back to the sixth grade.  It was “Career Day” at school and my next door neighbor the attorney agreed to take me to his office.  From my first step into his law firm, the sights and sounds were impactful.  The buzzing atmosphere had purposeful people quickly walking around like they had things to accomplish, groups of people conducting meetings in glass-walled conference rooms, and others waiting on the leather clad chairs in the reception area with instrumental music playing in the background.  This place was alive with energy!  I asked my neighbor who the firm had as clients and he explained that they represent lots of different companies on a variety of issues.  To me that sounded fantastic and I had found my calling.  I too was going to practice law, learn about how businesses are run and protect the interests of as many companies as possible.  What a fun ride it has been.  And now a new chapter of my same book – Employer Consult, LLC.”

~ Jeffrey Carlson

Battle-tested knowledge to protect your interests 

For 30 years Jeff practiced exclusively in the field of workers’ compensation litigation, defending the interests of employers and their insurers.  Utilizing a “hands on” approach, Jeff deposed well over 1,000 claimants, took depositions of medical and vocational experts, conducted hundreds of DOLI administrative conferences and OAH hearings, successfully represented clients at oral argument and appeals before the Workers’ Compensation Court of Appeals, and appealed cases to the Minnesota Supreme Court. This activity gave Jeff an extensive working knowledge of the mentality of a claimant, claimant attorneys and the judges who decided outcomes.

Jeff also headed up the firm’s Culture Committee. Brown & Carlson’s unique culture philosophy was featured in Minnesota Insurance and Minnesota Claims magazines. Brown & Carlson was also honored as a “Top 150 Workplace” by the Minneapolis Star Tribune for consecutive years – a designation bestowed upon very few law firms.

Jeff’s unique ability to partner with and defend his employer clients is exemplified by the robust list of major “blue chip” companies he represented, including: the Mayo Foundation, General Mills Inc., Honeywell International, CHS Inc., Essentia Health Systems, Allete/Minnesota Power, CNH Industrial, Hormel Foods, 3M, the construction industry, and many more smaller employers. Jeff has always taken great pride in visiting and understanding the business of each client, then creatively protecting their interests. 

At the time of Jeff’s retirement from the practice of law, Brown & Carlson, P.A. had grown to 31 attorneys – then the largest law firm in Minnesota specializing in workers’ compensation defense litigation. The firm continues to be an industry leader.  Jeff graduated from the University of Minnesota at Duluth (his home town) in 1986, then received his JD from Drake University Law School in 1989.