In the photo are: Sara Covich, Becca Koelpin, Susan Rutscher, Mike Boyle, Jeremy Berg, Gwen Mielke, Mary Kay Mages, Diane Franta, Blethen Berens; Sandy Scheibel, KNUJ; Katie Nosbush, United Prairie Bank; Tami Leuthold, PCA of Minnesota.

The Willkommen Committee visited with New Ulm law firm Blethen Berens and celebrated their recent merger and new name. The former Beren Rodenberg & O’Connor has joined with the former Blethen, Gage & Krause of Mankato firm to create Blethen Berens. There are three full time attorneys in New Ulm, Mike Boyle, Jeremy Berg and Mary Kay Mages, but the merger increases the skills and strengths to 17 attorneys. The struggle for smaller law firms, particularly in outstate Minnesota, is the ability to retain and recruit new attorneys. The merger is good for the business and gives it a stronger position for recruiting and for the clients who now have deeper access to more legal services. The merger was completed in July 1 and the staff and attorneys believe they are still a New Ulm law firm, now with more options.