Matthew J. Frerichs

612.349.8500

Experience

Matthew Frerichs practices in the Estate and Trust arena, focusing on estate planning, trust and estate administration, guardianship and conservatorship law, and estate and trust litigation. Matt’s technical knowledge and experience in complex planning, combined with his ability to sensitively and conscientiously navigate difficult and often complex family dynamics, gives clients peace of mind that their legacy is secure. Prior to joining Robins Kaplan LLP, Matthew was an associate at a Minnesota law firm practicing in the areas of estate planning, probate, real estate, and business law.

A frequent speaker and writer, Matt has particular experience presenting on risk mitigation in estate planning and on the ethical issues that attorneys face when working with clients with mental illness or diminished capacity.

Matt previously served as a Law Clerk to the Honorable Sean C. Gibbs of the Minnesota District Court. He received a B.A. and an M.S.W. from the University of St. Thomas, and earned his J.D. from the University of St. Thomas School of Law. He continues to support the school’s mission through his participation in the St. Thomas Mentor Program.


Northstar Lawyer
  • Listed in The Best Lawyers in America (2023 edition)
  • Named a “North Star Lawyer” by the Minnesota State Bar Association for providing at least 50 hours of pro bono legal services (2013-2014, 2016)
  • The Jeremiah Program, Volunteer Attorney
  • St. Thomas Mentor Program
Bar Admissions
  • Minnesota
Education
  • University of St. Thomas School of Law, J.D. (2004); University of St. Thomas Law Journal, Associate Editor (2002-2003) and Senior Editor (2003-2004)
  • University of St. Thomas, M.S.W. (1999)
  • University of St. Thomas, B.A. in Psychology (1995)
Professional Associations
  • American Bar Association, Section on Real Property, Trust and Estate Law
  • Minnesota State Bar Association
  • Hennepin County Bar Association, Probate and Trust Law Section
  • Ripped from the Headlines: Current Issues in Wealth Planning, Administration, and Fiduciary Disputes
    Robins Kaplan LLP Wealth Planning, Administration, and Disputes Annual CLE, Webinar (October 13, 2022)
  • Developing an Estate Plan That Includes Charitable Giving and Trusts: A Scenario-Based Discussion
    2022 Probate and Trust Law Section Conference, Minnesota CLE, St. Paul, Minnesota (June 14, 2022)
  • Developing an Estate Plan That Includes Charitable Giving and Trusts: A Scenario-Based Discussion  
    Minnesota CLE – Charitable Giving and Trusts: How to Maximize the Benefits of Philanthropy for Your Clients, Webinar (November 16, 2021)
  • Ripped from the Case Law
    Robins Kaplan LLP Wealth Planning, Administration, and Disputes Annual CLE, Webinar (October 13, 2020)
  • Ripped from the Case Law
    Robins Kaplan LLP Wealth Planning, Administration, and Disputes Annual CLE: The Future of the Fiduciary, Minneapolis, Minnesota (September 12, 2019)
  • Its All About the Execution Best Practices and Potential Pitfalls
    44th Annual Probate and Trust Law Section Conference, Minnesota CLE, St. Paul, Minnesota (June 5, 2018)
  • 43rd Annual Probate and Trust Law Section Conference
    43rd Annual Probate and Trust Law Section Conference, Minnesota CLE, St. Paul, Minnesota (June 12, 2017)
  • Fighting Over the Family Jewels 7 Red Flags
    Schechter Dokken Kanter, Minneapolis, Minnesota (February 9, 2017)
  • Whats Special About Special Needs Trusts
    Minnesota CLE – Scenario Planning for Trusts & Estates Lawyers, Minneapolis, Minnesota (November 21, 2016)
  • 7 Tips for Avoiding Trust and Estate Litigation (or Achieving Early Resolution)
    Minnesota CLE – Strategic Solutions for Solo & Small Firms, St. Paul, Minnesota (August 9, 2016)
  • The Estate Planning Probate Trust Law 40
    Presenter: Gifting Cases, Minnesota CLE, Minneapolis, Minnesota (February 12, 2016)
  • 2014 Elder Law Institute
    Working with Clients with Diminished Capacity (October 7, 2014)
  • 2014 Elder Law Institute
    Presenter, Minnesota CLE, Minneapolis, Minnesota (September 24, 2014)
  • 40th Annual Probate and Trust Law Section Conference: The Life and Death of an Estates and Trusts Dispute
    Minnesota CLE, St. Paul, Minnesota (June 2, 2014)
  • Working with Clients with Diminished Capacity
    Research and Materials, Minnesota State Bar Association Probate & Trust Section CLE, Minneapolis, Minnesota (March 6, 2014)
  • 39th Annual Probate and Trust Law Section Conference: I Am Not My Mental Illness: Dealing With Mental Illness
    Minnesota CLE, St. Paul, Minnesota (June 10, 2013)
  • Basic Concepts in Estate Planning
    Minnesota Conference Association of Seventh-Day Adventists, Maplewood Academy, Hutchinson, Minnesota (June 10, 2012)
  • The Essentials of Trust and Estate Litigation
    Minnesota CLE, Minneapolis, Minnesota (February 15, 2012)
  • I Am Not My Illness: Dealing with Mental Illness
    Trusts & Estates CLE, St. Paul, Minnesota (May 12, 2011)
  • I Am Not My Illness: Dealing with Mental Illness
    Minnesota CLE, St. Paul, Minnesota (June 7, 2010)
October 13, 2022
Motives and Opportunities
Randy Tietjen, Denise Rahne, Matt Frerichs - Annual CLE Event Presented by the Wealth Planning, Administration, and Fiduciary Disputes Group
Minneapolis, MN
October 14, 2019
2019 Trial Advocacy Seminar: Back to Justice
Technology's powerful force in the path towards justice.
MN

RESOURCES

Links to full publications and news releases.

PUBLICATIONS

Winter 2021
The Case for Charitable Giving
Matthew Frerichs - The Robins Kaplan Spotlight
Summer 2020
What Could be the Harm? Minnesota's Harmless Error Statute
Matthew Frerichs, Ena Kovacevic - The Robins Kaplan Spotlight, Vol. 5, No. 2
Spring 2020
Estate Planning for Settlements or Favorable Verdicts
Matthew Frerichs - The Robins Kaplan Spotlight, Vol. 5, No. 1
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