Brutlag, Trucke & Doherty, P.A.
A business, finance, and real estate law firm built on trust.
Our Attorneys
RYAN J. TRUCKE
Partner
Ryan Trucke is a partner in the firm. Ryan is known for his practical and client service-oriented approach. He has a very broad practice that includes both transactional work and litigation. Ryan’s experience with real estate law includes representation of financial institutions, private lenders, developers, contractors, owners/managers, title insurers, and a variety of other real estate related businesses. Ryan also has extensive business law experience, providing counsel to many growing, privately held corporations and limited liability companies while helping them to avoid or overcome impediments to lasting success. Ryan’s experience allows him to assist in efficiently resolving disputes both large and small while counseling clients about measures they can take to avoid litigation. His common sense approach and attention to detail help simplify complicated transactions. Ryan’s clients value his responsiveness, attention to detail and ability to efficiently move matters toward a satisfactory conclusion.
Direct: 763-222-2504
Fax: 763-222-2501
Email: rtrucke@brutlaw.com
Education:
Valparaiso University School of Law (J.D., 2000)
Bethel University (B.S., 1994)
Bar Admissions:
Minnesota
Iowa
U.S. District Court, District of Minnesota
U.S. Court of Appeals, Eighth Circuit
Professional Associations and Memberships:
Minnesota State Bar Association
Iowa State Bar Association
Hennepin County Bar Association
“Rising Star®”, Thomson/Reuters
MATTHEW R. DOHERTY
Partner
Matt is a partner at the firm with over a decade of legal experience. Matt is originally from Hillsboro, North Dakota, but had connections to the Twin Cities that drew him to the area. While in law school, Matt served on the Executive Board for the Valparaiso University Law Review and clerked for United States Magistrate Judge Christopher Nuechterlein. Prior to joining the firm in 2007, Matt served a one year clerkship for the Honorable Carol Ronning Kapsner at the North Dakota Supreme Court. Matt’s practice includes both real estate transactions and business litigation. The majority of his clients are connected to the concentrations in construction, real estate, and manufacturing. Matt often takes an “outside general counsel” approach with his clients. He provides his clients with a single point of contact and accountability for their projects on all their legal needs. In his free time, he golfs as much as Minnesota weather permits, reads, and spends time with his family and friends. He has four daughters and lives with his wife in Medina, Minnesota who is a physical therapist.
Direct: 763-222-2507
Fax: 763-222-2501
Email: mdoherty@brutlaw.com
Education:
Valparaiso University School of Law (J.D., cum laude 2005)
Jamestown College (B.A., summa cum laude 2002)
Bar Admissions:
Minnesota
North Dakota
U.S. Court of Appeals, Eighth Circuit
U.S. District Court, District of Minnesota
Professional Associations and Memberships:
Minnesota State Bar Association
North Dakota State Bar Association
Minnesota Uniform Conveyancing Blank Task Force
Minnesota State Bar Residential Real Estate Committee
Hennepin County Bar Association
Brookview Men’s Golf Association
Honors, Certifications and Awards:
Minnesota Super Lawyer— 2014-2024
MSBA Board Certified Real Property Law Specialist
MATTHEW R. HARTRANFT
Attorney
My journey into this field was inspired by my early experiences in community development in Venezuela. These experiences taught me the value of hands-on involvement and innovative solutions. Today, I continue to channel these values in my work with the Minnesota non-profit Mano-a-Mano, where I contribute to building essential community infrastructure in rural Bolivia. Outside of my professional life, I cherish spending time with my family, exploring the beauty of Minnesota’s trails and wilderness on my bike, and connecting people to their communities. For me, being a lawyer isn’t just about legal expertise; it’s about being a trusted advisor and partner to my clients, helping them focus on what they do best – running their business.
Direct: 763-222-2508
Fax: 763-222-2501
Email: MHartranft@brutlaw.com
Education:
William Mitchell College of Law (J.D., cum laude 2015)
BYU-Idaho (B.S., with honors 2005)
Bar Admissions:
Minnesota
Wisconsin
Professional Associations and Memberships:
Minnesota State Bar Association
Wisconsin State Bar Association
Hennepin County Bar Association
Ramsey County Bar Association
Mano a Mano International
Livelihood United
Honors, Certifications and Awards:
CALI Award Winner – Business Law
CALI Award Winner – Advising the International NGO
Certificate in Law and Business, William Mitchell College of Law
Achievement in Public Service – Minnesota State Bar Association
Law Review Super Associate
ALEX D. SCHWARTZ
Attorney
Alex is an attorney who joined the firm in 2023. While attending Mitchell Hamline School of Law, Alex was a law clerk for both Beisel & Dunlevy, P.A. and Schmidt and Salita Law Team. Additionally, he interned for Regis Corporation’s Commercial Real Estate department. Prior to law school, Alex earned his bachelor’s degree in finance from Cornell College, where he also captained the baseball team.
Currently, Alex’s practice is primarily focused on business and real estate litigation. Committed to providing valuable, timely, and effective solutions, he prioritizes meeting all his clients’ needs.
Outside work, Alex enjoys playing pickleball and basketball, supporting Minnesota sports teams, and coaching JV baseball for St. Louis Park High School.
Direct: 763-222-2503
Fax: 763-222-2501
Email: aschwartz@brutlaw.com
Education:
Mitchell Hamline School of Law (J.D., summa cum laude 2023)
Cornell College (B.A., magna cum laude 2020)
Bar Admissions:
Minnesota
Professional Associations and Memberships:
Hennepin County Bar Association
Minnesota State Bar Association
Honors, Certifications and Awards:
CALI – Legal Writing
CALI – Business Organizations
CALI – Evidence
CRAIG FOSS
Attorney
With over two decades of legal, regulatory and financial services expertise, Craig is a seasoned counselor and advisor that has worked on all sides of the desk including business leader, corporate operations, general counsel, and as a federal regulator. This experience gives Craig a unique perspective on the challenges facing organizations today and able to provide sound, practical advice to stakeholders across your company. In addition to vast knowledge of banking related legal matters, Craig is well versed in risk management and change management issues facing a broad range of industries.
Along with assisting small business owners, Craig has held positions as in-house counsel for one of the country’s largest super regional banks, as well as General Counsel for a multi-state community bank which completed three acquisitions and tripled in size during his tenure. He is also a commissioned Federal Reserve Bank Examiner. Craig served as counsel for a bank trade association, providing support to hundreds of member banks around Minnesota on a variety of issues.
Craig is active in his community. He serves as adjunct faculty at the University of St Thomas School of Law. Craig enjoys instructing other lawyers at Minnesota CLE events. Craig volunteers his time as a board member at LDA Minnesota, a 50+ year old non-profit focused on educational opportunities for students with learning disabilities across the state. Craig and his family make their home in Medina, MN. He is actively involved in volunteer youth sports coaching with his three boys.
Direct: 763-222-2502
Fax: 763-222-2501
Email: Cfoss@brutlaw.com
Education:
Hamline University School of Law (J.D., 2010)
University of North Dakota (BBA Banking & Financial Economics, 2006)
Bar Admissions:
Minnesota
Professional Associations and Memberships:
Hennepin County Bar Association
Minnesota State Bar Association
Economics Club of Minnesota
Turnaround Management Association
Honors, Certifications and Awards:
Commissioned Bank Examiner (Federal Reserve Board of Governors)
Retired Attorney
MICHAEL L. BRUTLAG
Retired
Mike Brutlag practiced with the firm for over thirty-five years and retired in June 2021.
Direct: 763-222-2503
Fax: 763-222-2501
Email: mbrutlag@brutlaw.com
Education:
University of Minnesota (J.D., cum laude 1980) Western Illinois University (B.S., magna cum laude 1977)
Bar Admissions:
Minnesota
Wisconsin
U.S. District Court, District of Minnesota
U.S. District Court, Western District of Wisconsin
U.S. Court of Appeals, Eighth Circuit
Professional Associations and Memberships:
Minnesota State Bar Association
Wisconsin State Bar Association
Hennepin County Bar Association
American Bar Association
Honors, Certifications and Awards:
“Super Lawyer®”, Thomson/Reuters 1998 – 2021 Martindale-Hubbell AV rated MSBA Board Certified Real Property Law Specialist
Get in Touch
We encourage prospective clients to contact us by telephone, but if you choose to communicate by email, please note that sending us an email will not make you a client of our firm. You should not send us confidential information or sensitive materials when making an initial inquiry.
OUR ADDRESS
PHONE
Phone: 763-222-2500
Fax: 763-222-2501
OFFICE HOURS
8:00AM-5:00PM or after hours by appointment