Attorneys

Scott Miller

Managing & Founding Attorney

Scott is a graduate of Cleveland Marshall College of Law and is licensed to practice law in the state of Minnesota. Miller received his B.S.B. from the University of Minnesota, Carlson School of Management. Miller is a Graduate of the Esperti Peterson Advanced Studies Institute, Teton Institute, and Business Enterprises Institute. Miller has presented at the Teton Institute and taught many Continued Education Courses for Financial Advisors, Insurance Professionals, Accountants, Farm Business Managers and Nursing Home Social Workers. Miller has been featured in the book Wealth Management Teams and in the Dairy Star, a monthly publication for the Dairy Industry.

Publications by Attorney Miller include the Medical Assistance Reference Manual. Miller is a member of Wealth Counsel, and the Minnesota State Bar Association Elder Law Section and Probate and Trust Law Sections.

Jeffrey Cramer

Florida Managing Partner

Jeffrey A. Cramer holds an undergraduate degree from Vanderbilt University and a Doctor of Jurisprudence (J.D.), with honors, from the University of Florida College of Law, where he served on the Editorial Board of the Law Review. He has been admitted to practice law in all state and federal courts in Florida. With more than 35 years experience as a civil trial lawyer, Jeff successfully has handled a wide variety of personal injury and employment-discrimination claims, contract and family disputes, as well as probate and guardianship contests in both trial and appellate courts. Jeff also has been an adjunct professor of employment law at Florida Coastal School of Law, a frequent lecturer at continuing legal education seminars and has published several articles on civil trial issues.

Jeff has been certified by the Florida Supreme Court as both a circuit court and family mediator. He has received the highest rating from his peers, “AV” by the Martindale-Hubbell Company, is listed in the “Bar Register of Preeminent Lawyers” and “Who’s Who in American Law.” Jeff has served as Escambia-Santa Rosa County Bar Association President and both as Northwest Florida Chapter President and member of the National Board of Directors of the prestigious American Board of Trial Advocates.

The extensive trial experience gathered from handling thousands of diverse civil matters has provided the skills necessary for Jeff to embark on the next phase of his career, helping people and families to plan effectively for their future. For the past several years, Jeff has focused his law practice on estate planning, estate administration (including probate), guardianship and elder law. During this time he has developed a Three-Step estate planning process that is unique in Jacksonville. With Cramer Law Center’s “Life Legacy” program, Jeff keeps his clients’ estate plans current and up to date on an annual basis.

Mark Balzarini

Associate Attorney

Mark Balzarini is a graduate of Hamline University School of Law and is licensed to practice law in the states of Minnesota and South Dakota. Balzarini received his B.A from the Franciscan University in Stuebenville, Ohio.

Mark Balzarini is a member of the Wealth Counsel and Minnesota State Bar Association Probate and Trust Law Sections.

He conducts seminars for Financial Planners, Accountants, Farm Business Managers, Health Organizations, and Nursing Home Social Workers, as well as the general public in Minnesota and South Dakota.

Tim Hansen

Of Counsel

Tim Hansen graduated from Hamline University School of Law in St. Paul, Minnesota, in 1983. He has been practicing law since his admission to the bar in Wisconsin in 1983, followed by admission to the bar in Minnesota in 1984. He has been practicing in Rochester, Minnesota since 1985 concentrating in matters pertaining to real estate and small business. In that time, Tim has examined title and handled many real estate and business transactions.

Tim is a member of the Minnesota State Bar Association and the Olmsted County Bar Association. He has received the peer review rating of AV® from Martindale Hubbell®. In addition, he is a qualified neutral under Rule 114 of the Minnesota General Rules of Practice and is currently listed on the Minnesota Civil Facilitative/Hybrid panel of the statewide Rule 114 neutrals roster. He is a long time title insurance agent for First American Title Insurance Company.

Professional volunteer activities include membership on the Legislative Committee for the Real Estate Section of the Minnesota State Bar Association and membership on the Lawyers Professional Responsibility Third District Ethics Committee.

Bruce Kness

Of Counsel

Legal Staff

Carrie Birath

Strategic Assistant to Attorney Miller & Office Administrator

Carrie received her Bachelor degree in Finance from Mankato State University. Carrie began her career with the firm in 2000.

Carrie spends much of her time on our systems and processes and how we can improve our service along with managing our technology development. She is the key liaison for financial advisors, insurance advisors and accountants we work with. Carrie also handles all real estate transactions and closings.

Carrie lives on an acreage outside of Lake Benton with her husband, children and the families spoiled Frenchie. She stays very active with the many extra-curricular activities of her teenage boys, enjoys cooking, gardening and camping with the family in the summer.

Monica Lutterman

Strategic Assistant

Monica assists our clients and their families with trust administration and probate processes after the death of a family member.

Monica has a strong bookkeeping and financial background gained from her experience working in both public accounting and private accounting prior to joining the firm.

Monica lives in Tyler, MN with her husband and their very spoiled dog.

Kathy Wilmes

LifePlan Coordinator

Kathy Wilmes began working at Miller Legal in July 2010.

Kathy leads our maintenance program, LifePlan. This includes drafting new Powers of Attorney or Health Care Directives and HIPAAs, updating asset listings and retitling assets to maintain estate plans that work.

Previously, she worked for over 20 years in the Business Office of RTR Schools primarily in the payroll department.

Kathy grew up in Tyler Minnesota, is married to Mark and has a daughter, Lindsay. When not at work, Kathy is very active in Relay For Life, the Lake Benton Opera House and loves to read, walk and spend time with family, friends and kitty, Torii.

Jana Votava

Funding Coordinator

Jana Votava joined the Miller Legal team in April 2015. Jana works with clients and their financial institutions to process and maintain accurate asset information and titling.

Jana previously worked for a medical billing company in Brookfield, Wisconsin for 10 years and has a background with insurance.

Jana grew up and currently lives in Marshall, Minnesota. Jana enjoys reading and spending time outdoors and with family and friends.

Tabitha Long

Receptionist

Tabitha Long joined the Miller Legal team in December of 2012. She is the friendly voice and face greeting those who call or stop into the office. She schedules and manages all appointments.

In her free time Tabitha enjoys scrapbooking and hanging out with her three children, family, and friends.

Kathy Seanor

Strategic Assistant

Kathy joined the Miller Legal team in February 2019 and assists with all of our Corporate files, whether it be organizing a new entity or handling the annual documents for an existing one.

Kat, as she is known in the office, is originally from Watertown, SD and has a bachelor’s degree in Paralegal Studies from National American University in Sioux Falls, SD. She lives on a farm outside of Tyler, MN and enjoys spending time with her two golden retrievers and tuxedo cat, traveling, reading and watching movies.