1924 -2024

One family, and one hundred years of advocacy.

In 1924, after Kleve J. Flakne completed law school at the Minneapolis College of Law, he hung up his shingle in downtown Minneapolis and began the general practice of law. He became a well-known criminal defense attorney handling many high-profile cases including one that went to the Minnesota Supreme Court establishing the evidentiary parameters of a “dying declaration”. He also served for a while as the Mayor of St. Louis Park while maintaining his private law practice.

His youngest son, Gary W. Flakne became a lawyer after graduation from William Mitchell College of Law, and in 1961 he took over the practice upon Kleve’s passing. Gary maintained the practice during his 12-year term serving in Minnesota Legislature representing south Minneapolis. Gary Flakne was later appointed the Hennepin County Attorney, during which time he personally prosecuted a landmark case involving an alleged assault between contestants in a professional sporting event. He served in that position for 6 years until 1981 when his eldest son, Brian K. Flakne graduated from the University of Minnesota Law School and joined the family firm.

Gary and Brian practiced together as the Flakne Law Offices from 1981 until Gary’s passing in 2016. Thereafter, Brian has maintained the firm, concentrating on criminal defense, family law, and as in house counsel for various real estate development firms. Brian also has the distinction of being the plaintiff’s attorney for three successful class action cases.

The dawn of 2024 represents 100 years that a member of the Flakne family (3 generations) has been privileged to serve the people of Minnesota as lawyers. To commemorate this milestone, Amanda Clegg, an artist in Cardiff, Wales, was commissioned to create this image. It is done in the Vanity Fair style and is reminiscent of the famous judges and barristers’ series that appeared in British periodicals, also known as “Spy” prints. The firm’s office in Minneapolis displays a collection of legal art including some of these original prints.

The Flakne Law Office is well known for its work advising corporate clients, with members serving on a variety of nonprofit and for-profit boards of directors, and also representing litigants in criminal and civil courtrooms throughout the State of Minnesota, hence: “The boardroom and the courtroom.” We hope that you enjoy this homage to our family legacy.