About DKS LLC
Experience
Derk Karl Schwieger, LLC, Minneapolis, Minnesota
I started my own practice after winning re-election as County Attorney. My practice areas include trial, negotiation, and appeal of criminal defense, family and juvenile law, mediation, personal injury, and government issues and investigation.
Presently serving as:
- Federal Criminal Defender Panel Member for Minnesota.
- Minnesota State Bar Association Criminal Justice Executive Counsel.
- Qualified Neutral for Family and Civil Law under Minnesota Supreme Court Rule 114.
Formerly served as:
- Contract Public Defender for Dakota County, Minnesota.
- Member of Misdemeanor Defense Panel for Hennepin County, Minnesota.
- New Lawyer’s Co-Chair for Ramsey County, Minnesota
Humboldt County Attorney, Humboldt County, Iowa
Elected official, Chief Law Enforcement Officer for the County, prosecution and investigation of all criminal offenses, juvenile matters, mental health and substance abuse committals, guardian and conservator actions, and civil representation of the County and County Officials.
Awards
Gold Seal Award, Iowa Coalition Against Domestic Violence
Statewide award for efforts and dedication toward ending domestic violence against women and children.
Certificate of Appreciation, Domestic and Sexual Assault Outreach Center
The only prosecutor individually recognized in the region.
Training
National Advocacy Center, National District Attorneys Association.
Trial training by career prosecutors with pre-course preparation and videotaped critiques.
- Trial Advocacy
- Pre-Trial Advocacy
- Juvenile Delinquency Prosecution
National Institute for Trial Advocacy.
Trial training by experienced attorneys and judges requiring pre-course preparation with videotaped critiques.
- Building Trial Skills
Reid Institute for Interview and Interrogation
Training in behavioral analysis interview and interrogation.
Breath Alcohol Technician Training Course, Industrial Training & Design
Certification in operating the Intoxilyzer 5000 and training on various preliminary breath test machines for drunk driving and impaired driving investigations.
Education
University of Missouri-Kansas City School of Law
Editorial Assistant for the ABA APPELLATE PRACTICE JOURNAL and Editorial Assistant for a contributor to the EIGHT CIRCUIT APPELLATE PRACTICE GUIDE published by Minnesota Continuing Legal Education.
Drake University
Bachelors of Arts, Cum Laude,
with a major in Political Science.
President’s List and Dean’s List.
Professional Memberships
Active: Minnesota Trial Lawyer's Association, Federal Criminal Justice Panel for Minnesota, Minnesota State Bar Association Criminal Justice Executive Committee, National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, Minnesota, Iowa Bar Association, Minnesota Bar Association, Missouri Bar Association, Hennepin County Bar Association, Ramsey County Bar Association.
Non-active: National District Attorney’s Association, Iowa County Attorney’s Association, Iowa Trial Lawyer’s Association, Kansas City Metropolitan Bar Association, American Bar Association, Sports Lawyers Association, Humboldt County Bar Association (President, 1999-2002).
Law Clerk Experience
Dennis J.C. Owens, Esq., Kansas City, Missouri
Research and writing briefs and motions, handling clients and correspondence for an attorney specializing in a national appellate practice.
Missouri Attorney General’s Office, Kansas City, Missouri
Student attorney defending the Missouri Second Injury Fund.
Bond, Schoeneck & King, LLP, Overland Park, Kansas
Law clerk for nationwide NCAA compliance and infractions practice.
Hinckley, Allen & Snyder, Boston, Massachusetts
Performed preliminary conflicts of interest checks and handled file room duties.
Community Activities
I have been active in politics as Vice Chair of a County Central Committee, County Convention Chairman, and Delegate to the County, District, and State Conventions, and County Chair for three statewide campaigns in Iowa.
I have also been active in service organizations, volunteer activities, my church, political organizations, and have spoken publicly in front of large crowds on numerous occasions. I have volunteered or spoke for the VFW and American Legion, Lions, Rotary, Special Olympics, Youth Basketball, Professional and Business Woman Association, Retired Teachers Organization, Seniors and Lawmen Together, and Domestic Violence awareness.
Personal Facts
I grew up on my family’s Century Farm in Iowa, working with both livestock and grain.
I was an active duty soldier and cadet in the United States Army at West Point, New York, before a benign bone tumor required reconstructive foot surgery at Mayo Clinic. I was granted an Honorable Discharge.
I went on to play college basketball at Texas A&M and Brandeis University and letter in basketball with all-conference honors at both schools. At Texas A&M I was Academic All-Southwest Conference, and I was First Team All-University Athletic Association and team Most Valuable Player at Brandeis. I am a member of the Texas A&M Lettermen's Association.