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Timothy W. Ridley

Partner

T: 612.347.9128
tridley@meagher.com
F: 612.877.3024

Main Biography

For more than 20 years, Tim has focused his practice on the preparation of wills, trusts and estate plans for individuals – as well as related litigation.  I’ve always enjoyed the challenge of working with numbers, and this is an area of the law where I can do that.

Tim has been named a Super Lawyer® and is listed as a Top 40 Estate Planning and Probate Law Attorney by Minnesota Law & Politics magazine. 

After consulting with clients to determine their personal and financial goals and objectives, Tim helps them structure the estate plan that best meets their needs.  To accomplish this, he looks for the most efficient methods for transferring the client’s assets – with a goal of tax minimization and simplicity. 

Tim offers a special depth of experience in cases involving breach of fiduciary duty in the management of probate, estates and trusts.  On the plaintiff side, he represents estate and trust beneficiaries.  On the defendant side, he represents personal representatives, trustees and guardians.  He also serves as expert witness both for and against fiduciaries.

Tim also represents small and mid-sized business owners in their business transactions and disputes.

Outside the office, Tim is a board member of several charitable organizations. He is an avid Yankees fan who also enjoys golf and reading – especially recent history dealing with events in and related to the Middle East.

Professional Affiliations

  • Minnesota State Bar Association
    • Probate and Trust Law Section
  • Hennepin County Bar Association

Accolades

  • Selected for inclusion in the Minnesota Super Lawyers® list, (only five percent of the lawyers in the state were selected), 2003-2011
  • Recognized in the list of Top 40 Super Lawyers, Minnesota Law & Politics, Estate Planning and Probate Law Attorneys, 2007-2009  
  • Awarded the highest possible Martindale-Hubbell Peer Review Rating, AV® Preeminent ™ (AV is a registered certification mark of Reed Elsevier Properties Inc., used in accordance with the Martindale-Hubbell certification procedures, standards and policies)

Leadership Experience    

  • Instructor, Probate and Estate Planning, Minnesota Paralegal Institute (15-year tenure)

Speaking Engagements & Published Articles

  • The Art of Trust Design – How to Meet Your Client’s Needs While Still Practicing in Minnesota, CLE (January 2009)
  • "Probate Litigation: It Ain't Over Till It's Over" Hennepin Lawyer (June 2000)
  • "A Twelve Step Program for Lowering the Risk of Litigation" Health Benefits Planner (Summer 1995)
  • Speaker, various continuing legal education seminars

Reported Opinions/Recent Cases

  • Involved in numerous probate litigation actions in recent years representing personal representatives, trustees, guardians and estate or trust beneficiaries.

Community Contributions

  • Officer and Board Member, Fun 4 Good Foundation, a charitable organization that takes activities of pleasure and converts them into opportunities for giving
  • Board Member, Southside Community Health Services
  • Board Member, Friends of the Poor

Education

  • William Mitchell College of Law
    ,
    1981
  • University of St. Thomas
    ,
    1977

State Bar Admissions

  • Minnesota, 1981

Federal Court Admissions

  • United States District Court, District of Minnesota, 1985