Jacob Birkholz

Jacob (Jake) Birkholz is the owner and lead attorney at Birkholz Law, carrying on the legacy established by his father, Dan Birkholz. Licensed to practice in Minnesota (2005) and admitted in Iowa (2007)*, Jake has built a reputation as one of Southern Minnesota’s most effective trial attorneys.

In 2024, Jake earned the distinction of Board Certified Criminal Law Specialist from the Minnesota State Bar Association’s Criminal Law Certification Board, a credential held by a select number of attorneys statewide who have demonstrated exceptional knowledge and skill in criminal law.

Jake’s courtroom record speaks for itself. He has tried over 43 criminal jury trials to verdict across Southern Minnesota, handling cases ranging from DWI and drug offenses to felony criminal sexual conduct, arson, assault and theft. He has also handled 3 criminal court (bench) trials, including one case that was ultimately decided by the Minnesota Supreme Court. Beyond trial work, Jake has handled over 100 cases before the Minnesota Court of Appeals spanning criminal defense, family law, civil litigation and administrative law. His appellate practice includes multiple cases that reached the Minnesota Supreme Court.

Before entering private practice, Jake served as a judicial law clerk for Judge Mary C. Leahy in the Third Judicial District (Winona) and Judge Kenneth L. Jorgensen in the Tenth Judicial District (Stillwater). He also externed for Judge Edward Wilson in St. Paul. These clerkships gave Jake invaluable insight into judicial reasoning and decision-making that he brings to every case.

Jake earned his Juris Doctorate from the University of St. Thomas School of Law in 2005, where he received an academic scholarship covering half tuition for three years, made the Dean’s List and earned the Dean’s Award in Estate Planning and Bankruptcy for the highest class grade. He graduated Magna Cum Laude from Minnesota State University Mankato with a B.S. in Chemistry in 2002, where he was the Ford Scholarship Recipient awarded to the top chemistry student. His scientific background gives him a unique analytical edge in the courtroom, particularly when evaluating forensic evidence and complex factual scenarios.

Jake is a member of the Minnesota Society for Criminal Justice (MSCJ), an invitation-only organization that limits membership to approximately fifty of Minnesota’s top defense attorneys. His membership in this elite group reflects his standing among the state’s most accomplished criminal defense practitioners.

Family Law Experience: Jake has handled hundreds of custody and divorce cases and has taken many cases to trial. He has vast experience in everything from joint stipulations to collaborative mediated divorces and custody arrangements to complex trials and appeals in spousal maintenance, farm and business divorces. He has done hundreds of social early neutral evaluations (SENEs) and financial neutral evaluations (FENEs); been involved with many custody evaluations, parenting consultants and parenting time expeditors. He has managed parental alienation cases, resist-refuse cases, child inclusive mediations and just about every imagined scenario from drug addiction to mental illness, trauma and kidnapping. His every day is a combination of Jerry Springer on steroids with a flavor of “you can’t make this stuff up” and “your worst day is my everyday.” Other attorneys refer their hardest and most complex cases to Jake and he often “bats clean up” after several other attorneys couldn’t get the job done.

His approach to legal representation combines aggressive advocacy with genuine compassion for his clients’ situations. Jake understands that every case represents a critical moment in someone’s life and he ensures each client receives both excellent legal counsel and personal attention throughout their case. Whether negotiating a favorable settlement or fighting at trial, Jake is committed to achieving the best possible outcome.

Outside the office, Jake is a devoted family man who enjoys spending time with his four children and grandchild. He is an avid sports fan and enjoys many outdoor activities including hunting, fishing, skiing and golfing.

*Not actively practicing in Iowa — admitted to the Iowa Bar but not currently maintaining an active Iowa practice.