ATTORNEY Joseph P. Kukla

Joe began his affiliation with the firm in June 2013 and became a partner in May 2016. He was inspired by the firm’s achievements in the area of disability planning and has sought to honor and continue the legacy of our former partners. Joe’s youngest brother, Jake, has dealt with developmental issues for his entire life and is now living (thriving) as an independent adult with cognitive impairment. His experiences have made Joe aware of the distinctive challenges facing each individual and each family, and the realization that resources for support and guidance are invaluable.

Joe's professional experience is in asset and estate planning, which may include the use of a Supplemental or Special Needs Trust for a person with a disability, establishing Guardianship and Conservatorship and exploring their less restrictive alternatives, solving problems related to housing and independent living, and counseling on eligibility issues related to Medical Assistance, Supplemental Security Income (SSI), and other government assistance programs. Joe hopes to provide the legal advice and counsel that helps a person with a disability live a full and rewarding life.

Besides the emphasis on special needs planning, Joe is proficient as a general estate planner with services including Wills, Testamentary and Living Trusts, Long Term and Elder Care, and Probate and Trust Administration. Since joining the firm in 2013, Joe has expanded his practice to include extensive experience with Commercial and Residential Real Estate transactions and other property concerns including Commercial Leasing and Landlord/Tenant matters. Joe is a member of the Real Property, Probate & Trust and Elder Law sections of the Minnesota State Bar Association.

In addition to his legal practice, Joe volunteers as a pro bono provider of estate planning services to Minnesota’s First Responders and their families through the Wills For Heroes program, is a former licensed PCA through St. David’s Center for Child & Family Development in Minnetonka, MN, and is a former certified coach and volunteer for Special Olympics Minnesota. Joe currently serves on the Board of Directors for Opportunity Partners, Inc., a Minnetonka-based non-profit organization that provides vocational services to the disability community, and also serves on the Board of Directors for the Minnesota Association of Guardians and Conservators (a/k/a MAGiC). Joe is a graduate of the University of Wisconsin-Madison with degrees in Political Science and Criminal Justice, and earned his law degree from New England Law–Boston. He enjoys outdoor adventuring and sports, and is still proud to remind everyone that he was a member of the first two state champion football teams at Eden Prairie High School.

Email: jkukla@thielfirm.com

Direct: (952) 920-8446

Anna joined the firm as a partner in February 2021. Before joining the Thiel firm, Anna practiced as an associate attorney for five years at a full service law firm in Apple Valley. Anna's primary practice areas are estate planning, estate and trust administration, guardianships and conservatorships.  

Anna has been named a SuperLawyer’s Rising Star for six years running, and has volunteered with the Wills for Heroes program since 2014.  Anna is a member of the Probate & Trust Law section of the Minnesota State Bar Association.

Anna is a graduate of the University of Puget Sound with a degree in Politics & Government: International Relations, and earned her law degree from the Hamline University School of Law. Anna also received a Certificate in Advocacy and Problem Solving from Hamline.  Anna has the goal of running a marathon in every state; while she has made good progress towards this goal, she has many miles left to run.

Anna married her husband, Jordan, in 2021 and is formally Anna W. Gunderson Fenty, but still practices under her maiden name to honor her pre-marriage law practice and the legacy of her father, Bob Gunderson.

Email: agunderson@thielfirm.com

Direct: (952) 920-8448

Lucas joined the firm as an associate in July, 2024. Prior to joining the Thiel firm, Lucas supervised and operated a non-profit law firm called Estate & Elder Law Services, a service line of Volunteers of America, for six years, practicing in the areas of Probate, Estate Administration, Guardianships/Conservatorships, Estate Planning, Medical Assistance Planning,  and Special Needs Planning. At Estate & Elder Law Services, Lucas’ goal was to make legal services more affordable and accessible to low-income individuals. Before joining Estate & Elder Law Services, Lucas operated a solo general practice in Minneapolis for four years.

Lucas’ favorite part of his legal practice is helping people find solutions to the unique issues facing the aging and special needs communities in Minnesota, and he is passionate about helping people face those issues with grace and dignity. Lucas is a member of the Probate and Trust Section of the Hennepin County Bar Association and the Probate and Trust and Elder Law Sections of the Minnesota State Bar Association. Lucas is on the Governing Council of the Elder Law Section of the Minnesota State Bar Association. Lucas has been named as a SuperLawyer’s Rising Star for 3 years.

Lucas is a Minnesota native from Southwestern Minnesota. He has a degree in Journalism from Bethel University, with minors in Political Science and English Literature. Lucas worked as a journalist for two years before going to law school at St. Thomas University. Lucas and his wife, Priscilla, have seven children. Lucas loves traveling, trekking, sports, and science fiction novels.

Email: lspaeth@thielfirm.com

Direct: (952) 920-8445

Lynn received a B.S. degree in Social Work and a minor in Sociology at Augsburg College. She is a licensed social worker in MN. Lynn has been working with individuals with Developmental Disabilities most of her career, either in residential settings, day program settings, talking to legislators, along with person centered training models to have each person reach their highest potential. 

Lynn runs a small Guardianship business and in 1995 was awarded the Doris Sveen award for excellence in Guardianship by the MN Association for Guardianship and Conservatorship. We constantly negotiate between safety and self-determination. We have duties to the person and to the courts. We help with housing, getting medical care, long-term supports and services, apply or monitoring public benefits, make sure yearly taxes are done, get them mental health services if needed, go to doctors appointments if needed, help with care comfort, and work programs etc. There are many players in a persons life which requires conflict resolution at times. 

Lynn offers a very unique perspective because she lives daily with her own disability and knows first-hand about issues of access, discrimination, funding, and ongoing changes in services and supports and how that affects others. She wants to be able to educate and guide you along your journey as you  navigate systems. Lynn has served on various boards and committees both nationally and locally. Lynn enjoys theater, family, travel, church, music and local events around town. There is one special dog that has her heart and her name is Sophie.

Email: lynn@thielfirm.com