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Edward R. Shaw

President & Senior Associate Attorney

Ed offers no-nonsense legal advice grounded in more than 30 years of private-practice experience. Over three decades of representing clients, he has developed a sharp eye for what truly matters in a case and a talent for cutting through legal complexity to give clients clear, honest guidance. He understands that people come to a lawyer during some of the most stressful moments of their lives, and he meets them with candor, respect, and a focus on results.

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His practice spans a wide range of areas, including family law, criminal defense, civil disputes, real estate matters, civil rights matters, and bankruptcy. He brings steady courtroom judgment and practical insight to each of them, drawing on years of hands-on experience to anticipate challenges before they arise and to craft strategies tailored to each client's circumstances. Whether the matter calls for tough negotiation, careful counsel, or a vigorous defense at trial, Ed approaches it with the same level-headed professionalism that has defined his career.

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Ed graduated from the University of Wisconsin School of Law and has been an attorney in private practice for over 30 years helping people get through a variety of difficult situations. He prides himself in offering no nonsense legal advice. In addition to being a licensed attorney, Ed was previously a licensed Real Estate Broker as well. He owns a real estate and property management company which manages over 50 commercial and residential properties combined.

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In his free time, he enjoys spending time with his wife, Sarah and their twins, Marly and Ruby. He enjoys cycling, cross country skiing, and other silent sports. You may often see him out walking with his dogs, Buffy and Nigel as they normally walk with him to and from his 100 year old house in north Brainerd to his office on South 6th Street in Brainerd.

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Paralegal: Amanda Richardt - amanda@edshawlaw.com

Education

  • University of Wisconsin Law School, Madison, Wisconsin

    • J.D. - 1995

  • University of Wisconsin, Madison, Wisconsin

    • M.A. - 1991

  • St. Lawrence University, Canton, New York

    • B.A. - 1988​

Bar Admissions

  • Minnesota, 1996

  • Wisconsin

Published Works

  • Trouble in Paradise—A Police State Comes to Northern Minnesota, MACDL VI Magazine Publication, 2020

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Representative Cases

  • State v. DiGiovani

  • State v. Hunter

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Honors

  • Client Distinction Award, Martindale-Hubbell, 2015

  • Green Building Award, Brainerd Main Street Program, 2010

Practice Areas​​

  • Family: Divorce, Paternity and Custody, Protection against Domestic Assault, Name Changes

  • Guardianship, Termination of Parental Rights, Juvenile Matters, Adoption, Estate Planning

  • Criminal: DWI/DUI, Drug Crimes, Criminal Attempt, Conspiracy, Aiding and Abetting

  • Wills/Estates

  • Bankruptcy and Debt

  • Civil: Homeowner, Contracts/Disputes, defamation, Property Disputes

  • Federal Crimes: Cyber Crimes, Juvenile Crimes

  • Sex Crimes/Sex Allegations

  • Theft Crimes/ White Collar Crimes

  • Traffic Offenses

  • Violent Crimes, Domestic Abuse

  • Real Estate: Mortgage, boundary disputes, foreclosures, sales, contract issues

  • Landlord/Tenant issues: Eviction, Contracts​​​

Professional Associations

  • Crow Wing / Aitkin County Bar Association, Member, 1995 to Present

  • Minnesota State Bar Association, Member, 1996 to Present

  • Crow Wing / Aitkin County Bar Association, Secretary/Treasurer, 2001 to 2002

  • Brainerd Public Library Board, Chairperson, 2006 to 2010

  • Crow Wing/Aitkin County Bar Association, Vice President, 2002 to 2003

  • United States District Court Minnesota, Member, 2002 to Present

  • Crow Wing/Aitkin County Bar Association, President, 2003 to 2004

  • Brainerd Family YMCA, Board Member, 2010 to 2013

  • Minnesota State Bar Association, Family Law Section, Member, 2010 to Present

  • National Association of Consumer Bankruptcy Attorneys, Member, 2011 to Present

  • Minnesota Association of Criminal Defense Attorneys, Member, 2012 to Present

  • City of Brainerd Walkable/Bikeable Committee, Co-Chair, 2013 to 2015

  • Licensed Real Estate Broker – Minnesota, 2020-2024

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Classes & Seminars

  • Speaker: Crime Free Housing Forum, Landlord/Tenant Law, Presented by the Bemidji Police Department, 2013

  • Speaker: Crime Free Housing Forum, Landlord/Tenant Law, Presented by the Bemidji Police Department, 2015

  • Landlord Education, Rental Property Law, 2016

  • Family Law Institute - MN Cont. Legal Education, Family Law Ethical Fee Collection, 2016

  • Speaker: Crime Free Housing Forum, Landlord/Tenant Law, Presented by the Bemidji Police Department, 2017

  • Speaker: Crime Free Housing Forum, Landlord Tenant Law, Presented by the Bemidji Police Department, 2019

  • Family Law Institute-MN Cont. Legal Education, o How to Respond (and Not Panic) If You Receive an Ethics Complaint, 2021

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Past Positions

  • Crow Wing County District Court, Judicial Law Clerk, 1995 to 1996​

The logo of Ed Shaw Law, P.A., a general practice law firm serving Greater Minnesota

Small Town Care. Statewide Strength.

Brainerd and St. Cloud General Practice Attorneys

Serving Central and Northern Minnesota for Family Law Matters, Harassment Restraining Orders and Orders for Protection, Child Protection (CHIPS) Cases, Criminal Defense, Probate, Wills and Estate Planning, Property Disputes, Mediation, Negotiation, Business Formation, Contract Drafting, Elder Law Matters, Construction Law Disputes, Civil Litigation, and More!

Office Hours
Monday - Friday; 8AM to 5PM

Phone
218-825-7030

Fax
218-822-3144

Email
receptionist@edshawlaw.com

Brainerd Lakes Area
722 South 6th Street
Brainerd, Minnesota 56401

St. Cloud Area
14 Seventh Street
St. Cloud, Minnesota 56303
Meetings by Appointment Only

© 2026 By Ed Shaw Law, P.A.

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