Attorney Profile

Craig M. Mertz was born in Mankato, MN, and was raised in the Upper Midwest, living in Mankato, MN, Sioux Falls, SD, Wauwatosa, WI and the Minnesota Twin Cities.

Mr. Mertz received his B.A. degree from the University of South Dakota (Phi Beta Kappa) in 1970. He received his J.D. degree from the University of Minnesota in 1973. Since 1973 he has been admitted to practice before the Minnesota State Courts and the Minnesota Federal Courts.

Since 1973 Mr. Mertz has continuously been engaged in the private practice of law, and in that capacity has previously served for more than ten years as assistant city attorney for the Minnesota cities of Brooklyn Park, Mound, and Chanhassen. For more than 20 years Mr. Mertz has acted and continues to act as prosecutor for the City of Mound, representing that City in ordinance enforcement matters and criminal prosecutions.

In 1995 Craig Mertz moved his offices to Chanhassen from downtown Minneapolis, where he had been a partner in the firm of Wurst, Pearson, Larson, Underwood, and Mertz.

Mr. Mertz practices in the areas of business law (formation new business entities, commercial real estate transactions, and contract matters, including contract litigation); residential and commercial real estate (representing clients in purchase transactions, sale transactions, lease transactions, real estate litigation, and construction disputes; contract disputes and litigation; and both the prosecution and defense of criminal law matters.

Professional Positions Held

• City of Brooklyn Park, Assistant City Attorney
• City of Mound, Assistant City Attorney
• City of Chanhassen, Assistant City Attorney
• City of Mound , City Prosecutor

Areas of Practice

• Business Law
• Formation New Business Entities
• Commercial Real Estate Transactions
• Contract Matters
• Contract Litigation
• Residential and Commercial Real Estate
• Purchase Transactions
• Sale Transactions
• Lease Transactions
• Real Estate Litigation
• Construction Disputes
• Contract Disputes and Litigation
• Prosecution and Defense of Criminal Law Matters
• Orders for Protection- Respondents and Petitioners

Bar Admissions

• Minnesota, 1973
• U.S. District Court District of Minnesota, 1973

Education

• University of Minnesota Law School, Minneapolis, Minnesota, 1973
  J.D.
  
  
• University of South Dakota, Vermillion, South Dakota, 1970
  B.A.
  Honors: Magna Cum Laude
  Honors: Phi Beta Kappa
  Major: Government
  
  

Professional Associations and Memberships

• Chanhassen Lions Club
  Member
  
  
• Chanhassen Chamber of Commerce
  Past President
  
  
• Minnesota State Bar Association
  Member
  
  
• Hennepin County Bar Association
  Member
  
  

Past Employment Positions

• Wurst, Pearson, Larson, Underwood and Mertz, Partner

Fraternities/Sororities

• Tau Kappa Epsilon