612-361-6180
Professional Info
Jack has been practicing law for over 18 years, and during that time he has successfully represented hundreds of clients in all forms of litigation and settlement negotiations at both the district court and appellate levels. His varied background has allowed him the opportunity to litigate cases throughout both metropolitan and greater Minnesota, as well as Wisconsin and in numerous tribal courts. Jack was selected for inclusion in the Top 100 Minnesota Super Lawyers list based on his high ranking in that selection process. His greatest satisfaction comes from pairing his legal experience and expertise with his clients to create an individual strategy and plan for each case.
Legal Experience
2014 - present
Founding Partner and Attorney, DeWalt, Chawla + Saksena, LLC
2017 - 2019
Adjunct/Affiliated Professor for Family Law, Mitchell Hamline School of Law
2015 - 2016
Adjunct Professor, Hamline University School of Law
2012 - 2014
Adjunct Professor, William Mitchell College of Law
2007 - 2014
Attorney/Shareholder, Walling, Berg & Debele, P.A.
2007
Gobena & DeWalt, LLC
2002 - 2006
Staff Attorney, East Central Legal Services
Education
2002
Hamline University School of Law, Juris Doctor
1999
University of Minnesota, Bachelor of Arts
Professional Memberships & Activities
Justice for Families Management Team, Hennepin County
President, Association of Family and Conciliation Courts, Minnesota Chapter, 2018-2019
Member, Association of Family and Conciliation Courts, Minnesota Chapter
President-Elect, Association of Family and Conciliation Courts, Minnesota Chapter
Past Secretary, Association of Family and Conciliation Courts, Minnesota Chapter
Past Co-Chair, Education Committee, Association of Family and Conciliation Courts, Minnesota Chapter
Member, Minnesota State Bar Association, Family Law Section
Member, Hennepin County Bar Association
Past Co-Chair, Hennepin County Bar Association, Family Law Section
Member, Deployed Veteran's Working Group
Volunteer Expert, Minnesota CLE's New Lawyer Website, Tribal Law
Speaking Engagements & Publications
Presenter, The Intersection of Tribal and Family Law, Hennepin County Family Court Bench, January 2021
Presenter, How to Negotiate Property Issues in the Mediation Process, ADR panel discussion, Mediation Center, October 2020
Presenter, The Modern Family, Hennepin County Bar Association, February 2020
Presenter, Enforceability of Tribal/State Family Court Orders, Division of Indian Works as part of Hennepin County Justice for Families Initiative, November 2019
Presenter, Family Court Today and Tomorrow: An Overview of Family Court Trends, Changes and Innovations, Hennepin County Family Court Bench, October 2019
Presenter, An Overview of Non-Biological, Same-Sex Parentage: What We Know Today and Where We Are Going Tomorrow, AFCC 56th Annual Conference, Toronto, Ontario, Canada, 2019
Presenter, It's Not Your Father's Law School: FLER as a Catalyst for Change, AFCC 55th Annual Conference, Washington DC 2018
Presenter, Same-Sex Issues in Minnesota Family Law, Minnesota CLE, 2017
Co-Presenter with Melissa Chawla, Property Division and Defaults, Minnesota CLE, 2017
Presenter, Divorce A to Z: ADR and ECM in Minnesota- How to Optimize Outcomes Through Early Intervention, Minnesota CLE, 2017
Presenter, From the Retainer Agreement to the Attorney Lien: The Best Way to Deal with Outstanding Client Fees, Family Law Institute, 2017
Presenter, How To Successfully Collect Fees from Clients, Hennepin County Bar Association, 2016
Presenter, View From the Bar, Family Law League, 2016
Author, International Practice Without a Passport, Hennepin Lawyer, July/August 2015
Co-Author, Property Division, Minnesota Divorce Practice Deskbook, 2015
Presenter, Property Division, How to Handle a Divorce in Minnesota: Law Strategy & Forms, Minnesota CLE, 2015
Co-Presenter with Melissa Chawla, Early Case Management and Differences Among Counties/Districts, How to Handle a Divorce in Minnesota: Law Strategy & Forms, Minnesota CLE, 2015
Co-Author with Melissa Chawla, Early Case Management and Differences Among Counties/Districts, Minnesota Divorce Practice Deskbook, (1st Edition in 2015 and updates through 2021)
Presenter, The Trials and Tribulations of the UCCJEA, Hennepin County Bar Association, 2012
Guest Lecturer, Family Law class, University of Minnesota Law School, 2012
Faculty, Ethical Rules and Best Practices to Assist with Avoiding Collections in Family Law Cases, Family Law Institute, Minnesota CLE, 2012
Presenter, Practical Estate Planning for the Family Lawyer, Hennepin County Bar Association, 2012
Pro Bono & Community Service
Volunteer Attorney - Domestic abuse agency referrals
Volunteer Judge - Various Moot Court Competitions and Mock Trials
Mock Trial Judge - Hancock Elementary School
Representative Case
Medvedovski v. Medvedoski, 2019 WL 272907 (Minn. Ct. App. 2019)
Court Admissions
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Minnesota
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Wisconsin
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United States District Court for the District of Minnesota
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Mille Lacs Band Tribal Court
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Prairie Island Indian Community Tribal Court
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Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux (Dakota) Tribal Court
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Leech Lake Tribal Court
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Sac & Fox Tribal Court
Honors
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Minnesota Monthly, Top Lawyers in Minnesota, 2022
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2021 Hennepin County Bar Association Family Law Professionalism Award
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Best Lawyers in Minnesota for Family Law, 2021 - 2025
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Top 100 Minnesota Super Lawyer® list, Super Lawyer® magazine, 2018 - 2024
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Super Lawyer®, Super Lawyer® magazine, 2015-2024
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Recognized as a "North Star Attorney" by MSBA (in recognition for pro bono service), 2014, 2016 and 2020
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Waller Scholarship for Academic Achievement as a Non-Traditional Student, University of Minnesota
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Dean's Scholarship Recipient, Hamline School of Law, 2000-2002
2010 - present
2010 - present