Kris L. Maser
Kris L. Maser, shareholder and Elder Law Department chair for Maser Amundson, P.A. is a caretaker by nature. “I’ve been taking care of people since I was 16,” she says, adding that she helped her father through a 28 year battle with Parkinson’s disease and also assists her elderly mother in living as independently as possible.
She says it’s her caretaking trait that propelled her to work in elder law. “I started out as a teacher, but this was just a pull,” Maser says. Since co-founding the firm in 1984, she has served as a dedicated advocate for the elderly and their families, through assisting in estate planning, medical assistance planning, planning for incapacity, conservatorship and guardianship issues, and related issues pertaining to wills, trusts, powers of attorney, and health care directives.
Her dedication to clients and vigorous representation of their rights, has earned her prominent recognition. Maser has been named in statewide surveys to the Minnesota Super Lawyers list and ranked as one of the top Minnesota Women Super Lawyers by Minnesota Law and Politics and Mpls.St. Paul Magazine.
After decades of service to families, Maser says that her resolve for her work was strengthened even more when she was diagnosed with cancer. “The cancer made me realize that you can’t go through a long-term illness alone,” she says, adding that this perspective permeates her work on the job. “Nobody stands alone.”
To Maser, being connected to her clients in such a supportive way is the best part of her job. “The second best part is turning the terror into something that can be useful,” she says. In one touching case, Maser recalled that she helped a couple with their end of life planning and 17 years later, after they had passed away, the couple’s family members flew in town to thank her. “I’m not just an attorney to them,” she says.
Despite a switch to the legal profession, Maser has stayed connected to her roots in education. She has served as an adjunct professor at William Mitchell College of Law, Inver Hills Community College, North Memorial Medical Center, The North Women’s Center, and other community schools. She also participated in several continuing education seminars for attorneys, social workers, families, and others.
Maser, who is fluent in German, is also a frequent lecturer, both locally and nationally, on a variety of elder law matters. She co-authored of Minnesota Conservatorship Standards, adopted by the Minnesota Association of Guardianship and Conservatorship and in 1996, she received the Mary Alice Gooderl Award for outstanding service and active development of the Minnesota State Bar Association’s (MSBA’s) Elder Law Section.
Maser received her law degree from William Mitchell College of Law in 1982 and her undergraduate degrees from the University of Minnesota in 1976. She belongs to the state, county, and national bar associations, as well as the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys. Maser is also involved with a number of charitable and community organizations including Rotary which support those with Alzheimer’s disease and Parkinson’s disease.
In 2008, the University of Minnesota’s College of Liberal Arts recognized Maser as an Alumna of Notable Achievement. The college recognition saluted Maser as an early champion of elder law, who has “increased awareness of the issues surrounding legal services for the elderly” and is “widely admired for outstanding service to the community.”
When she’s not working, Maser is an avid skier and enjoys spending time with her family.
Luther M. Amundson
Luther M. Amundson, managing shareholder of Maser Amundson, P.A., leads the firm’s Litigation Department. He is known in the legal community for his vigorous pursuit of his clients’ legal rights and his tenacious quest for fair compensation for those he represents.
A successful litigator, Amundson concentrates his practice in areas of elder law, including will contests, trust administration, guardianships, conservatorships, wrongful death, probate law, and significant personal injury matters.
Since 1995, Amundson has been named in statewide surveys to the Minnesota Super Lawyers list in Minnesota Law & Politics and Mpls. St. Paul Magazine.
Amundson says that he’s passionate about his work for the “older generation,” because of his inspiring clients. “One thing that makes me want to do this work is that their experiences are incredible,” he says, adding that he’s developed bonds with clients who bravely survived World War II and the Great Depression of the 1930s. “I love this generation,” he says.
But Amundson has also formed important connections with other clients as well, such as baby boomers addressing their litigation concerns, and representing a survivor of the Minneapolis I-35W bridge collapse in 2007. Amundson says that it’s gratifying to make a difference in peoples’ lives.
Amundson is a member of the American Association for Justice (AAJ), the Minnesota Association for Justice (MAJ), and the State and County Bar Associations. He served on the MAJ Board of Governors from 1996 to 2006.
A 1982 graduate of William Mitchell College of Law, Amundson received his undergraduate degree from the University of Minnesota. He is licensed to practice in Minnesota State Court, Federal District Court, and is a qualified neutral under Rule 114 of the Minnesota General Rules of practice.
When he’s not at work, Amundson enjoys spending time camping and hiking with his family, and loves photographing and spending time with his two sons. For 10 years, Luther has been a chair of the Annual Parkinson Association of Minnesota golf tournament, which is the sole fundraiser for the Parkinson’s Respite Care Grant Program.
Jasmine M. Dahlstrom
Jasmine Dahlstrom is a Litigation Associate Attorney at Maser Amundson, P.A. with a focus on probate and elder law issues. She provides a voice in the courtroom for clients in matters involving will contests, undue influence and diminished capacity, addressing their needs, goals and aspirations.
Jasmine is passionate about helping people work through serious issues during what is often the most difficult time of their lives. She has worked as a legal advocate in domestic abuse cases, a family law clerk, and held a clerkship at Southern Minnesota Regional Legal Services in St. Paul. She has also served as a parent attorney through the Child Protection Clinic at William Mitchell College of Law, representing parents who had their children removed from their home by child protective services.
Jasmine earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Sociology of Law, Criminology and Deviance at the University of Minnesota Twin Cities where she graduated summa cum laude and with distinction. She then graduated cum laude from William Mitchell College of Law. Jasmine is also a member of the Minnesota State Bar Association.
Jasmine loves international travel and enjoyed studying abroad on two occasions. She also loves spending time with her family and friends.
Allison J. Frasier
Allison J. Frasier is an Associate Attorney in Maser Amundson, P.A.’s Elder Law Department, and first joined the team in 2006 as a law clerk. She practices and counsels clients in the areas of elder law issues, such as Medicaid planning, veterans’ benefits, estate planning, asset preservation, planning for incapacity, guardianships and conservatorships, as well as probate matters.
Frasier received her law degree from the University of St. Thomas School of Law. She received her Bachelor of Arts degree in Biology, from Carleton College. She spent a semester of law school helping to provide legal services to seniors as a member of the Elder Law Practice Group, a section of the Interprofessional Center for Counseling and Legal Services at the University of St. Thomas. This experience ultimately led her to pursue a career in elder law.
Frasier enjoys being able to counsel clients through what can be very complicated and emotional issues. Through the experience in her own life of helping to care for a disabled family member, she can relate to many issues that her clients face on a personal level.
Frasier is an accredited attorney for veterans’ benefits before the Department of Veterans Affairs. She is also a member of the Minnesota Bar Association’s Elder Law Section, and of the Minnesota Association for Guardianship and Conservatorship (MAGiC). She is licensed to practice in Minnesota State Court and is a frequent speaker on elder law issues.
In her free time, Frasier is a busy mom of two children and enjoys spending time with her family, including her husband, two cats and one dog. When not immersed in mom duties, she enjoys gardening and photography.
Joy E. S. Gullikson
Joy E. S. Gullikson is an Associate Attorney in Maser Amundson, P.A.’s Elder Law Department. She practices in the areas of elder law, probate, and estate planning, with an emphasis on medical assistance planning, trusts and family LLCs. Before joining Maser Amundson, P.A., Gullikson worked in private practice. Prior to that, she was corporate counsel and director of external relations at a regional technology firm. Gullikson has also held various positions with the State of Minnesota and was a small business owner.
Gullikson made the career shift from corporate to elder law after caring for her father who had vascular dementia. “Having experienced the joys and frustrations of caring for someone with dementia, I have some understanding of the emotions and challenges that family members are facing.” Gullikson feels honored to be of service to families who are working through issues associated with the care of a loved one.
Gullikson received her law degree from William Mitchell College of Law. She received her M.B.A. from the University of Saint Thomas and her undergraduate degree from Acadia University in Nova Scotia. She is licensed to practice in Minnesota State Court and is a member of the Minnesota Bar Association’s Elder Law section. Gullikson serves on the boards of the Richfield Rotary Club and Threads Dance Project.
When not at work, Gullikson enjoys camping with her husband and teaching Scottish country dance. Her students perform regularly at the Minnesota Renaissance Festival, and her productions can be seen as part of the Minneapolis Fringe Festival.
Tiffany Y. Kimber
Tiffany Kimber is an Associate Attorney with Maser Amundson, P.A., with a focus on estate planning.
For the past three and a half years, Tiffany has worked in the areas of estate planning, Wills, probate and trust administration, guardianships, conservatorships, power of attorney and real estate transactions. Prior to pursuing her law degree, she worked for a title company within the real estate industry for almost three years.
Tiffany wanted to work within an area of law in which she would provide practical assistance to her clients. Through her professional and personal experience, she knows that planning ahead for your own or a family member’s care can be a difficult and emotional process for all involved. She says, “It’s rewarding to help people navigate through the tough questions that come up when discussing estate and care options for themselves or a loved one.”
Tiffany is a member of the Minnesota State Bar Association. She graduated Cum Laude from William Mitchell College of Law after earning her Bachelor of Science degree at the University of Wisconsin Madison.
Tiffany is a professed Badger fan. She loves watching sports and reading anything from history to fiction and non-fiction.
To make an appointment or request more information, call: 952-925-4147.
Maser Amundson, P.A. • 6601 Lyndale Avenue South • Suite 320 • Minneapolis, MN 55423