Spotlight On: Janel Dressen, CEO, Anthony Ostlund Louwagie Dressen & Boylan P.A.
April 2024 — In an interview with Invest:, Janel Dressen, CEO of Anthony Ostlund Louwagie Dressen & Boylan P.A., talked about how the law firm’s experience with remote trials gives it an edge to harness opportunities in the legal sector. She also discussed the emergence of AI, and how it can create efficiencies within the legal sector and reduce legal expenses for clients, but added that it cannot substitute a lawyer’s independent professional judgment.
What have been some important achievements for Anthony Ostlund in the past year?
We are a specialty boutique litigation firm with 18 like-minded trial lawyers who work tirelessly to resolve complex business disputes. We have tried many cases since the COVID shutdown, particularly in 2023 and 2024, and that is a huge win for Anthony Ostlund and our clients who are seeking their day in court.
What technological advances has Anthony Ostlund implemented to improve the efficiency of its operations?
AI is starting to play a more prominent role in professional services in general, and in the legal sector in particular. While that technology is not a replacement for legal services nor will it play a role in strategy or in deciding how to conduct or resolve matters, AI can deliver some significant efficiencies in terms of summarizing data and documents, creating timelines, and even assisting in legal research.
Most people have heard of the horror stories of AI making up case law, so we will have to be very careful. We are being paid for our independent professional judgment, which cannot be substituted with AI or any other existing technology. However, since litigation and legal services in general can be cost-prohibitive for some businesses, particularly smaller businesses, it is my hope that some AI functions will help reduce legal expenses and the overall cost of litigation such that smaller businesses will have access to obtaining justice without breaking the bank.
How is Anthony Ostlund innovating in terms of company culture and talent retention?
We have had to become more flexible, and our clients have as well. We are more flexible than we have ever been in terms of accommodating work schedules and work expectations. Processes and approaches that would not have been accepted five years ago have become business as usual today. We have learned that we can provide exceptional service to our clients even when we are not able to be together in the same place.
The well-being of our team is a priority, which has caused us to explore and compromise, allowing people to work from home at times when they need to. While generally it is expected that our team be in-person, at the office, Monday through Thursday, we have a much greater understanding that is not a black and white rule that applies in all circumstances. Our willingness to consider alternative arrangements, as long as our clients receive the same level of service they have become accustomed to and should expect from Anthony Ostlund, helps set us apart.
Additionally, since a lot of our clients work from home now, they have also become more flexible and understanding. Clients’ expectations differ; some may not want to come to downtown Minneapolis to our office and prefer that we meet them at their site. Because of that, it may make sense for somebody not to drive in to work that day as they will meet clients at their workplace. We strive every day to meet our clients’ expectations; our internal flexibility is just a good way to do business today.
How would you describe the state of business law and commercial litigation in the Twin Cities?
The Minnesota Judicial Council set Policy 525, which is bringing court services to us and to our clients as opposed to us having to physically go to the court, since a lot of things are now handled remotely. That policy has had the most significant impact on the practice of law in Minnesota in the 24 years I have been practicing. It also impacts the training and experience of our lawyers. There might be some lawyers out there who have been practicing law for two years without ever having seen the inside of a courtroom. We need to deal with the impact of that as well as the opportunities it presents.
There are many benefits in bringing court services to people who are at a disadvantage. It allows us to reach more people and saves our clients their financial resources. A lot of lawyers charge for travel time, but with this policy there is no travel time for remote hearings. Having said that, the Minnesota Judicial Council is continually working on improvements to the policy. We look forward to finding more opportunities for our clients and lawyers, when it makes sense, to get back into the courtroom.
What steps is Anthony Ostlund taking toward sustainability as that becomes less of a trend and more of a social and economic responsibility?
We have had some serious debates since 2020 regarding whether we should stay in downtown Minneapolis, move to a suburb, take less square footage, and whether everybody needs an office in our space. We think it is very important to support the city of Minneapolis in keeping people downtown. The energy and the justification for that used to be that we need to be close to the courthouse as that is where we spend most of our time. That justification went away with remote hearings. We have concluded that it’s still important for us to stay in and support downtown Minneapolis. With that objective in our view, we are pleased with contributing toward sustaining, improving, and assisting Minneapolis to get back on track to a vibrant and safe city.
How has Anthony Ostlund contributed to the industry-wide shift toward diversity, equity, and inclusion?
We hire based on qualifications, and we work to ensure that our team is educated about diversity, equity and inclusion and its importance to providing our clients the exceptional and well-rounded service they have come to expect from Anthony Ostlund.
What are some of the overarching opportunities in the legal sector and how is Anthony Ostlund capitalizing on them?
Our office and lawyers have some significant experience with remote trials. That gives us an edge that is absolutely necessary in the present and going forward. Younger and newer lawyers are concerned about training and getting opportunities in the courtroom, but they are also the ones who were born into and grew up with remote technology. They already know it, which is a huge opportunity for them. Additionally, our biggest advantage is our experience. We have significant in-person and remote trial experience on our roster of lawyers and paralegals that would be difficult to match or exceed.
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