W. Paul Otten

W. Paul Otten, principal of Otten Law Offices in Burnsville, Minnesota, is a seasoned trial attorney with more than 37 years of experience advocating for individuals and families affected by significant personal injury and wrongful death. He represents clients in a wide range of matters, such as automobile collisions, medical malpractice, premises liability and dog attack incidents, obtaining substantial recoveries through both negotiated settlements and successful jury trials.

A native of northern Minnesota, Mr. Otten earned his Juris Doctor from William Mitchell College of Law in Saint Paul after receiving a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Minnesota Duluth. He regularly contributes to the profession as a speaker at seminars and continuing legal education programs, where he shares practical trial techniques and strategic insights with fellow attorneys.

Mr. Otten’s professional standing is reflected in numerous honors and appointments – peer selection as a Leading American Attorney; designation as an arbitrator for the American Arbitration Association; approval as an arbitrator by the Minnesota Supreme Court and AV Preeminent* peer-review rating through Martindale-Hubbell.  

Beyond private practice, Mr. Otten serves the community and the judicial system in multiple capacities. He is a conciliation court referee, participates in the North Star Lawyer program, and volunteers with Legal Assistance of Dakota County. He is active in professional organizations, including the Minnesota Association for Justice, the Minnesota State Bar Association, the First Judicial District Bar Association and the Dakota County Bar Association, and he serves on the Ethics Committee for the First Judicial District encompassing Dakota and Goodhue Counties. 

Mr. Otten has also contributed his leadership to several nonprofit boards, underscoring his sustained commitment to public service. Clients praise his tenacity, clear counsel and steadfast pursuit of justice consistently.

*AV®, AV Preeminent®, Martindale-Hubbell Distinguished and Martindale-Hubbell Notable are certification marks used under license in accordance with the Martindale-Hubbell certification procedures, standards and policies. Martindale-Hubbell® is the facilitator of a peer-review rating process. Ratings reflect the anonymous opinions of members of the bar and the judiciary. Martindale-Hubbell® Peer Review Ratings™ fall into two categories – legal ability and general ethical standards.