Jody Ollyver DeSmidt

Families come in many forms. We help clients build families through adoption, third-party custody, and assisted reproduction. Awards and Honors Super Lawyers® Selectees Jody Ollyver DeSmidt included in a Super Lawyers® list Honors Named to Minnesota "Super Lawyers", 1999 - 2017 Other Sources of Feedback About Jody Ollyver DeSmidt Included on the 2026Minnesota Super Lawyers list Past Lists 2025 Minnesota Super Lawyers list 2024 Minnesota Super Lawyers list 2023 Minnesota Super Lawyers list 2022 Minnesota Super Lawyers list 2021 Minnesota Super Lawyers list 2020 Minnesota Super Lawyers list 2019 Minnesota Super Lawyers list 2018 Minnesota Super Lawyers list 2017 Minnesota Super Lawyers list 2016 Minnesota Super Lawyers list 2015 Minnesota Super Lawyers list 2014 Minnesota Super Lawyers list 2013 Minnesota Super Lawyers list 2012 Minnesota Super Lawyers list 2011 Minnesota Super Lawyers list 2010 Minnesota Super Lawyers list 2009 Minnesota Super Lawyers list 2008 Minnesota Super Lawyers list 2007 Minnesota Super Lawyers list 2006 Minnesota Super Lawyers list 2005 Minnesota Super Lawyers list 2004 Minnesota Super Lawyers list 2003 Minnesota Super Lawyers list 2002 Minnesota Super Lawyers list 2001 Minnesota Super Lawyers list 2000 Minnesota Super Lawyers list 1999 Minnesota Super Lawyers list

• Shareholder and Attorney

• Mahoney, Walling & Kelley, Associate, 1987 - 1991
• Wright S. Walling & Associates, Associate, 1986 - 1987
• District Court of Minnesota, Fourth Judicial District, Honorable Allen Oleisky, Law Clerk, 1984 - 1986
• District Court of Minnesota, Fourth Judicial District, Honorable Rolf Fosseen, Law Clerk, 1983
• Lubov & Foster, Associate, 1982 - 1983

• Speaker, New and Emerging Issues in Juvenile Law, HCBA-CLE, May, 2002
• Speaker, Legal Issues in Adoption, Resolve, October 13, 2001
• Speaker, Direct Placement Adoption and Advanced Legal Topics in Adoption, Resolve, October 30, 1999
• Speaker, Working with Social Workers and Lawyers as a Team in the Adoption Process, National Conference on Openness in Adoption, October 19, 1998
• Speaker, Direct Placement Adoption, Resolve, October 17, 1998
• Speaker, Use of Alternative Dispute Resolution in Custody and Dissolution, Volunteer Lawyers Network - CLE, June 18, 1996
• MILE topic, March 21, 1996
• How to Succeed In A Foster Care Adoption, Minnesota CLE, November 10, 1995
• Panel Discussion on Visitation, Volunteer Lawyers Network - CLE, June 27, 1995
• Adoption Law Update, Family Law Section Meeting, Minnesota State Bar Association Annual Convention, June, 1995
• Direct Placement Adoption, Resolve, November 5, 1994
• Guardian ad Litem Services, HSA Foster Parent Association, October 29, 1994
• The Foster Parents Role in the Court System, HSA Foster Parent Association, November 20, 1991
• Adoption Law, Minnesota State Bar Association Family Law Section, November 13, 1993
• How To Advocate For A Child In Foster Care, HSA Foster Parent Association, November 7, 1992

• In Re the Petition to Adopt: C.M.A.
• Citation: 557 N.W.2d 353
• Court: Minn. Ct. App.
• Year: 1996
• In The Matter of the Welfare of L.A.F.
• Citation: 554 N.W.2d 393
• Court: Minn.Sup.Ct.
• Matter of Custody of S.E.G.
• Citation: 521 N.W.2d 357
• Court: Minn.
• Year: 1994
• In Re Custody of K.E.G.
• Citation: 1994 WL 714350
• Court: Minn.App.
• Matter of Welfare of C.S.C.
• Citation: 1994 WL 273428
• Matter of Welfare of D.A.L.
• Citation: 1993 WL 328760
• Year: 1993
• In The Matter of the Welfare of D.H.
• Citation: 1992 WL 203253
• Year: 1992
• Matter of Welfare of J.S.
• Citation: 470 N.W.2d 697
• Year: 1991
• Durkin v. Hinich
• Citation: 442 N.W.2d 148
• Year: 1989
• Serial Number: 1989100266

• Volunteer Lawyers Network, 1991 - Present

• Minnesota, 1982
• U.S. District Court District of Minnesota, 1982
• U.S. Supreme Court, 1994

• American Adoption Congress, 2005 - Present (Member)
• American Academy of Adoption Attorneys Annual National Conference - CLE, 2002 - Present (Co-Chair)
• Minnesota Legislative Task Force on the Uniform Parentage Act, 2001 - 2002 (Member)
• American Academy of Adoption Attorneys, 1992 - Present (Fellow)
• Minnesota State Bar Association, 1987 - Present (Member)
• Hennepin County Bar Association, 1987 - Present (Member)
• Juvenile Law of Hennepin County Bar Association, 1992 - 1995 (Co-Chair)