Winona, MN

Richmond H. McCluer, Jr.

Richmond H. McCluer, Jr. is a native of Winona, Minnesota, and he attended Winona Senior High School, Winona State University and the University of Minnesota Law School. After practicing with a prominent law firm in Minneapolis, he returned to Winona in 1988 and joined the esteemed law firm of Darby, Delano and Price. During his time with the firm, he successfully handled numerous high-profile felony cases, including robbery, narcotics, burglary, assault and criminal sexual conduct. Moreover, he represented injured individuals in accident and negligence cases. In 1993, he left the firm to work for the Third Judicial District Public Defender’s Office. There, he served as Chief Trial Lawyer and handled serious felony trials in southern Minnesota. In 2003, he joined Price, McCluer and Plachecki, a law firm formed by Michael J. Price and John Paul Plachecki. Richmond was also elected as the president of the Winona County Bar Association in 2004. McCluer has an impressive record as lead counsel in over 250 jury trials. These trials have covered a wide range of serious criminal offenses, such as homicide, robbery, kidnapping, narcotics, criminal sexual conduct, burglary and assault. His exceptional skills and experience have earned him positive recognition. Every year, three Minnesota magazines conduct a survey asking around 20,000 Minnesota lawyers to identify exceptional lawyers in specific areas of legal practice. Only 5% of lawyers in Minnesota are chosen for Minnesota Super Lawyers. Richmond McCluer was initially selected in 1996 while serving as Chief Trial Lawyer for the 3rd Judicial District Public Defender’s Office. Since then, he has consistently been recognized on the Super Lawyers list, including every year from 2005 through 2023. A leading attorney, Mr. Richmond is a Minnesota State Bar Association board-certified criminal law specialist. This prestigious certification program, approved by the State Board of Legal Certification, is administered by the Minnesota State Bar Association. To earn the certified specialist designation, attorneys must undergo a rigorous review process, including an examination in the specialty area, peer review and documented experience. By achieving this specialty certification, Richmond has demonstrated exceptional knowledge, skill and integrity in the field of criminal law. It is an accomplishment that only a small fraction, less than 3%, of all licensed Minnesota attorneys have achieved. Richmond is rated AV* by the respected Martindale-Hubbell Law Directory. These ratings are developed by obtaining confidential opinions from lawyer adversaries and judges before whom the lawyer has appeared. Ability rating categories are A, B, C and no rating. An “A” rating is the “very high to preeminent” category - the highest rating possible. It signifies that the lawyer has reached the heights of professional excellence, recognized for the highest levels of skill and integrity. The “V” rating is the highest for adherence to ethical standards, reliability and diligence. From 1988 to 2011, he taught criminal law, federal rules of evidence and Japanese karate at Winona State University. He currently serves as the president of Japan Karate-Do Genbu-Kai of Minnesota, a corporation that runs a full-time Japanese martial arts dojo and programs at Winona State University, St. Mary's University of Minnesota and the Winona Family YMCA. Additionally, he sits on the board of various charitable nonprofit organizations, including the Winona Area Humane Society.

Michael James Price

Michael James Price was born in Kidderminster, England. He moved to the United States with his parents in the same year. He obtained his undergraduate and law degrees from the University of Minnesota. After working as a claims examiner for the United States Veterans Administration, he became an Assistant Winona County Attorney. In 1974, he joined the prestigious law firm of McMahon, Darby, Price and Brooks. Throughout his illustrious career, he has passionately advocated for the people of southeastern Minnesota in criminal, personal injury and general legal matters. He, along with attorney Douglas Thomson, handled the high-profile State vs. Howard homicide case in Minnesota. Starting in 1976, he taught civil and criminal law courses at Winona State University for more than 10 years. He has been involved in various community organizations, such as the Gamehaven Council - Boy Scouts of America, the Winona Volunteer Services, the United Way of the Greater Winona Area, Watkins United Methodist Home and the American Cancer Society - Winona County Chapter/, serving as a board member, officer and adviser.

Patricia M. Heim

Patricia M. Heim is a retired Of Counsel attorney who formerly led the firm’s Family Law Practice Group. Her practice was exclusively dedicated to divorce and family law matters in Wisconsin. She is a member of the American Bar Association and the State Bar of Wisconsin, and a past president of the La Crosse County Bar Association. Ms. Heim is a recipient of the State Bar President’s Award and has been named a Wisconsin Super Lawyer from 2005-2017. She authored the Family Law chapter of the Annual Survey of Wisconsin Law from 1989 to 2016 and is a frequent presenter at seminars on family law topics. She is a Fellow of the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers and the Wisconsin Law Foundation.

J.P. Plachecki

J.P. Plachecki, a native of Winona, attended Cotter High School. He was named best actor in 1978 and served as the three-year varsity football defensive captain, helping Cotter achieve a record of six straight defensive shutouts. He earned his B.A. from St. Mary's University of Minnesota, graduating cum laude. He then pursued his J.D. at Hamline University Law School, where he made the dean's list. Continuing his education, he obtained an LLM from Boston University School of Law. Afterward, he worked as a Special Assistant Attorney General for the Massachusetts Department of Revenue. In 1994, he returned to his hometown and joined the law firm of Darby, Delano & Price. His practice primarily focuses on representing accused individuals in criminal matters across the Midwest. J.P. Plachecki achieved a significant victory in State v. Burbach, a landmark Minnesota Supreme Court decision. You can watch him arguing the case at the Minnesota Supreme Court. He has consistently been recognized by the Minnesota Super Lawyers, earning his spot on the list every year from 2005 to 2023. Minnesota Law & Politics named him one of the Top 40 Criminal Defense Attorneys in the state in both 2007 and 2008. Minnesota Law & Politics also featured him in an article called "The Winona Boys" in their April/May 2008 issue. Plachecki has extensive experience trying criminal cases throughout Minnesota and even worked alongside George Parnham, a frequent legal commentator on CNN and counsel to Andrea Yates, on a Minnesota case. For a decade, he partnered with Douglas Walser Thomson, Minnesota's most renowned criminal defense attorney, trying cases in the Midwest. Additionally, he served as an adjunct faculty member at Winona State University.

Scott J. Curtis

Attorney Scott J. Curtis, a shareholder with the firm, practices in the areas of probate estates & trusts, general business law, estate planning, litigation, business formation & administration, business succession planning, estate and trust litigation, real estate, non-profit organizations, professional practices, estate planning, and general litigation. Proficient in comprehensive estate planning, Mr. Curtis structures succession and estate plans for owners of family businesses engaged in numerous industries. In the field of probate and trust administration, Mr. Curtis has a reputation for success handling multi-million dollar estates, including contested estates. Mr Curtis has worked with clients to structure complex Medicaid divestment strategies, plans for gift tax avoidance, Reverse and Forward Single and Multiple Asset Tax Deferred Exchanges under Section 1031 of the Internal Revenue Code. Additionally, Mr. Curtis has represented buyers and sellers in transactions involving professional practices including chiropractic, dental, and medical businesses. Mr. Curtis has represented numerous non-profit organizations, and has helped clients to carry out their philanthropic goals by forming and managing charitable entities. He has helped clients with personal wealth to create private foundations for long-term charitable giving within the family. He has assisted with the formation of public charities and has served on the board of organizations that support the Catholic Church, veterans causes, and community development. Mr. Curtis is also a frequent speaker on estate, tax, and business law issues.

James G. Birnbaum

James G. Birnbaum is a retired attorney. His practice focused on Employment Law. He is admitted to practice in Wisconsin, the United States Supreme Court, United States Court of Appeals - 7th Circuit, United States Court of Appeals - D.C. Circuit, and several United States District Courts. He received his J.D. from St. Louis University School of Law in 1975 and his B.S. from the University of Wisconsin in 1970. He has been involved in numerous professional associations including the National Diocesan Attorneys Association, National Employment Lawyers Association, The American Bar Association, and The Wisconsin Bar Association.

David J. Fugina

David J. Fugina is a retired Of Counsel attorney with unparalleled expertise in tax law and municipal matters. He comes from a family with a legal legacy spanning three generations since 1895. He joined O’Flaherty, Heim, & Curtis, Ltd. in 2017 as _of counsel_ and later became _of counsel_ with Curtis Law Firm, LLC until his retirement. He is admitted to the Wisconsin bar since 1968. He received his J.D. from the University of Wisconsin School of Law in 1968 and a B.B.A from the University of Wisconsin in 1963.