Christopher Cadem
Top rated Criminal Defense attorney in Fergus Falls, Minnesota
Cadem Law Group, PLLC
Practice areas: Criminal Defense, Family Law, Personal Injury; view more
Licensed in Minnesota since: 2005
Education: University of Minnesota Law School
Selected to Super Lawyers: 2025 - 2026 
Selected to Rising Stars: 2018 Call today:
218-396-4897
Cadem Law Group, PLLC
1005 Pebble Lake RdSuite 209
Fergus Falls, MN 56537 Visit website
At Cadem Law Group, PLLC, with offices in St. Paul and Fergus Falls, Minnesota, Christopher Cadem dedicates his legal practice to a diverse array of litigation, including criminal, personal injury and civil cases in both state and federal courts. With a track record of over 100 trials and nearly a dozen appeals--including a petition to the Minnesota Supreme Court--his legal prowess is undeniable. From minor traffic infractions to severe accusations like first-degree murder and first-degree criminal sexual conduct, his experience is vast and varied.
In the arena of civil litigation, Mr. Cadem adeptly handles cases ranging from straightforward contract disagreements to complex multiparty financial disputes involving significant amounts of money. His diverse clientele includes an Academy Award-nominated actor, members of the judiciary's families, a judge and thousands of Minnesota residents.
Mr. Cadem's academic achievements are equally notable. He graduated with top honors from the University of Minnesota Morris, earning a Bachelor of Arts in political science and psychology. During his undergraduate years, he was bestowed the Gieske Academic Award and the Scholar of the College Award and was inducted into the Phi Kappa Phi honor society. His research on social identity's influence on voting behavior was showcased at two major academic conferences.
In 2005, Mr. Cadem furthered his education at the University of Minnesota Law School, graduating cum laude. During law school, he excelled in the Maynard Pirsig Appellate Advocacy Moot Court and was nominated for the best appellate brief award. He also practiced at the University of Minnesota Housing Law Clinic and the Kommerstad Center’s Business Law Clinic, where he later taught as a student instructor. He also externed with the Honorable Richard H. Kyle in the U.S. District Court for the District of Minnesota during his final year of law school.
Mr. Cadem has been widely recognized by his peers for his experience and professionalism. In 2023 he was named “Attorney of the Year” by Minnesota Lawyer Magazine. He also has been named an “Up & Coming Attorney” by Minnesota Lawyer magazine, “Rising Star” by Minnesota Super Lawyers magazine, repeatedly named a “North Star Lawyer” by the Minnesota State Bar Association, repeatedly named in the “Top 100 Trial Lawyers” by the National Trial Lawyer Association, and has received Avvo.com’s highest distinction as a “Superb Attorney.”
Mr. Cadem is deeply involved in community service. He has held numerous leadership roles in the Minnesota Jaycees and the Fergus Falls Jaycees, and is a two-time past president of the Fergus Falls Lions Club. He also held leadership positions within the Otter Tail County Bar Association and was an ambassador for the Fergus Falls Area Chamber of Commerce.
Since 2006, Mr. Cadem has served as a Civil Rights Moot Court judge at the University of Minnesota Law School, has volunteered as a judge for the Minnesota State Bar Association’s High School Mock Trial Tournament, and has appeared as an instructor at the Minnesota Continuing Education seminar "The New Lawyer Experience," demonstrating his expertise and dedication to mentoring the next generation of legal professionals.
Practice areas
Criminal Defense, Family Law, Personal Injury - General: PlaintiffFocus areas
Adoption, Alimony & Spousal Support, Animal Bites, Arrest & Arraignment, Assault, Assault & Battery, Brain Injury, Child Support, Construction Accident, Criminal Domestic Violence, Criminal Fraud, Criminal Law, Custody & Visitation, Debt, Dissolution, Divorce, Domestic Violence, Dram Shop Laws, Drug & Alcohol Violations, Expungement, Failure to Pay Child Support, False Accusations, Father's Rights, Felony, Juvenile Delinquency, Juvenile Law, Marital Property, Mediation & Collaborative Law, Misdemeanor, Motor Vehicle Accidents, Motor Vehicle Offenses, Murder, Name Change, Overdrawn Bank Account, Parole, Paternity, Personal Injury - Defense, Personal Injury - Plaintiff, Premises Liability - Plaintiff, Prenuptial Agreements, Probation, Prosecution, Same Sex Family Law, Sex Offenses, Sexual Abuse - Plaintiff, Slip and Fall, Tax Evasion, Theft, Toxic Mold, Traffic Violations, Trucking Accidents, Wrongful Death
- 40% Criminal Defense
- 30% Family Law
- 30% Personal Injury - General: Plaintiff
First Admitted: 2005, Minnesota
Professional Webpage: https://cademlaw.com/attorney-christopher-j-cadem/
Bar / Professional Activity
- Otter Tail County Bar Association, Secretary and Treasurer
- Minnesota Supreme Court
- Otter Tail County Bar Association
- Minnesota State Bar Association
- Midwest Defense Lawyers Guild
- Minnesota Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers
- Minnesota Association for Justice
- American Association for Justice
- U.S. District Court, District of Minnesota
Verdicts / Settlements (Case Results)
- Violation of Felony Probation – Dismissed Pre-hearing, 2022
- Felony 5th Degree Drugs – Dismissed by Court Order, 2022
- Disorderly Conduct – Dismissed by Court Order, 2022
- Burning Violation – Dismissed Pre-trial, 2022
- Gross Misd. Violation of a Harassment Restraining Order – Dismissed Pre-trial, 2022
- Felony 5th Degree Drugs; All charges dismissed pre-omnibus, 2021
- Violation of a Harassment Restraining Order (three separate files); All charges dismissed before the contested pretrial hearing, 2021
- Felony 5th Degree Drugs, Possession of a Pistol without Permit, Drug Para; All charges dismissed by Court Order, 2021
- Disorderly Conduct; All charges dismissed by Court Order, 2021
- Felony 1st Degree Drugs (>50 Grams Meth), Felon in Possession of Firearm/Ammo, Fleeing; All charges dismissed by Court Order (July 2021), 2021
- Disorderly Conduct – Dismissed Pretrial, 2021
- False Report of a Crime – Dismissed Pre-trial, 2021
- Felony Domestic Assault – Dismissed Pre-trial, 2021
- Reckless Driving; Speeding – Dismissed Pre-trial, 2021
- Felony Domestic Assault – Dismissed Pre-trial, 2021
- Noise Complaint and Disturbing the Peace – Dismissed before arraignment., 2020
- 5th & 4th Degree Criminal Sexual Conduct, Criminal Neglect of a Child; Indecent Exposure; 5th Degree Drugs; Drug Paraphernalia; All Charges Dismissed., 2020
- Driving after Revocation; Driving without Insurance. All charges dismissed pretrial., 2020
- Driving after Revocation; Driving without Insurance. All charges dismissed pre-trial., 2020
- Order for Protection – Case dismissed before trial, 2020
- 5th Degree Drugs – All charges dismissed before trial, 2020
- 5th Degree Drugs – All charges dismissed before omnibus, 2020
- Receiving Stolen Property and Felony DWI – All charges expunged; Firearms rights restored, 2020
- Order for Protection – Case dismissed before trial, 2020
- Violation of Stay at Home Order – All charges dismissed before pretrial, 2020
- Felony Domestic by Strangulation – All charges dismissed before trial, 2020
- DWI Refusal; DWI – All charges dismissed by Court order, 2020
- Disorderly Conduct – All charges dismissed before pretrial (Nov. 2020), 2020
- Terroristic Threats; Prohibited Person in Possession of a Firearm (Dec. 2020) – No charges brought, 2020
- Violation of an OFP (two files); All charges dismissed before trial, 2020
- 3rd Degree Drug Sales – Methamphetamine – All charges dismissed pre-trial, 2020
- Felon in Possession of a Firearm; 5th Degree Drugs – All charges Dismissed pre-trial, 2020
- Violation of HRO: All charges dismissed pretrial, 2018
- Domestic Assault appeal (A18-0221; Jan. 7, 2019), 2019
- Violation of HRO: All charges dismissed pretrial (March 2019), 2019
- Felony 2nd Degree Burglary and Theft: All charges dismissed pretrial, 2019
- Attack by dog: All charges dismissed pre-trial, 2018
- Felony Drugs – All charges dismissed after arraignment, 2019
- 3rd Probation Violation Seeking Execution – Petition for Violation Dismissed Prior to Hearing, 2019
- Aiding and Abetting DAC Inimical: All charges dismissed pre-trial, 2018
- Disorderly Conduct, Brawling/Fighting: All charges dismissed pre-trial, 2018
- Disorderly Conduct; all charges dismissed by Court Order, 2018
- Obstruction of Justice; all charges dismissed pre-trial, 2018
- Violation of HRO; all charges dismissed pretrial, 2018
- Felony 2nd Degree Assault with a firearm; all charges dismissed pre-trial, 2018
- Fleeing in a Motor Vehicle; all charges dismissed pretrial, 2018
- Wilkin County - 5th Degree Drugs, Open Bottle, Possession under 21, Paraphernalia; all charges dismissed by Court Order, 2018
- Otter Tail County - Overwork/Mistreat Animals-Kill/Torture; Charges dismissed pre-trial, 2018
- Otter Tail County; Theft Over $1K - All charges dismissed prior to trial, 2018
- Clay County - Theft; all charges dismissed by court order, 2018
- Otter Tail County - Felony Domestic Assault; all charges dismissed after an initial hearing, 2017
- Ramsey County - Attack by Animal, Animal at Large (3 Files); all charges dismissed by Court Order, 2017
- Otter Tail County - 1st and 2nd Degree Murder. Acquittal by jury on all counts, 2017
- Otter Tail County - Felony Domestic by Strangulation. All charges dismissed pre-trial, 2017
- Otter Tail County - $130,000 worth of marijuana (possession). All charges dismissed after contested omnibus, 2017
- Grant County - Driving after cancellation, inimical to public safety. All charges dismissed pre-trial, 2017
- Otter Tail County - 4th Degree DWI. All charges dismissed prior to the omnibus hearing, 2017
- Grant County, 5th Degree Possession. Dismissed by Court after contested omnibus, 2017
- Otter Tail County - Order for Protection dismissed after initial hearing, 2017
- $320,000 settlement for wrongful termination and discrimination in violation of ADA
- $30,000 settlement for chemical burn from defective product, 2017
- Otter Tail County - 1st Degree Criminal Sexual Conduct; Acquittal by jury all charges, 2015
- Otter Tail County - Criminal Vehicular Homicide. Acquittal by jury all counts, 2015
- Otter Tail County - 2nd Degree Criminal Sexual Conduct, six counts, two alleged victims acquitted by jury verdict, 2017
- Clay County - Shoplifting; all charges dismissed by Court Order, 2017
- Otter Tail County - 3rd Degree Assault, substantial bodily harm; all charges dismiss pre-trial, 2017
- Clay County - Fleeing police; all charges dismissed after an initial hearing, 2017
- Clay County - Driving after revocation; all charges dismissed after initial hearing, 2017
- Otter Tail County - violation of city building ordinances; all charges dismissed pre-trial, 2017
- Clay County - Obstruction of Justice; all charges dismissed after an initial hearing, 2017
- Wilkin County - 5th Degree Possession and Domestic Assault - all charges dismissed pre-trial
- Otter Tail County - OFP petition dismissed after initial hearing, 2017
Representative Clients
- C.A.H. v. A.C.H. (A22-0174; Feb. 8, 2022) – Harassment Restraining Order appeal challenging a District Court’s authority to dismiss a petition without granting a hearing. New law made., 2022
- State v. Stall, 845 N.W.2d 246 (Minn. Ct. App. 2014). Our client was directed to stop his tractor trailer at a random commercial vehicle checkpoint. During the stop, he was cited for a number of crimes. Although we lost our motion to dismiss at the District Court, we appealed the decision. In a published opinion making new law in Minnesota, the Court of Appeals held that random commercial vehicle checkpoint stops in these circumstances is unconstitutional., 2014
Special Licenses / Certifications
- Minnesota Supreme Court; Certified Parents' Attorney for child protection and termination proceedings, 2017
Pro bono / Community Service
- Attorney Christopher J. Cadem has been named a North Star Lawyer by the Minnesota State Bar Association. To be named a North Star Lawyer, an attorney must provide at least 50 hours of pro bono (low or no-cost) legal services to low-income people and/or non-profit organizations. Mr. Cadem continues to devote a considerable amount of his time and energy to assuring that all individuals, irrespective of income, receive dedicated legal representation and that their constitutional rights are aggressively defended., 2021
- I appealed the case of C.H. v. A.H. to the Minnesota Court of Appeal pro bono because the issue was one of great importance to the state and a frequent issue for people seeking harassment restraining orders. The time expended on the appeal exceeded 50 hours, and amounted to well over $10,000 in free legal services., 2022
- Fergus Falls Jaycees, Member
- Minnesota Jaycees, General corporate counsel, 2014
- Fergus Falls Jaycees, Chairman of the board, president, vice president of membership, and treasurer
- Fergus Falls Lions, Past president
- Fergus Falls Chamber of Commerce, Ambassador
- University of Minnesota Law School, Civil Rights Moot Court judge, 2006
- Minnesota State Bar Association’s annual High School Mock Trial Tournament, Mock trial judge
Honors
- Rated as a Superb Attorney by Avvo.com, Perfect 10/10 Rating, Avvo.com, 2021
- Top 100 Trial Lawyers, National Trial Lawyers Association, 2022
- Top 100 Trial Lawyers, National Trial Lawyers Association, 2021
- Client Choice Award, Avvo.com, 2021
- Top 100 Trial Lawyers, National Trial Lawyers Association, 2020
- University of Minnesota Law School, Maynard Pirsig Appellate Advocacy Moot Court
- University of Minnesota Law School, Student director of the University of Minnesota Housing Law Clinic
- University of Minnesota Law School, Kommerstad Center’s Business Law Clinic
- Up & Coming Attorney, Minnesota Lawyer Magazine, 2015
- National Trial Lawyers, Top 100 Trial Lawyers (2014, 2015, 2016, & 2017)
- North Star Lawyer, Minnesota State Bar Association, 2015
- Super Lawyers 2018
Educational Background
- University of Minnesota Morris, Bachelor of Arts degree in, Major- Political Science and Psychology, 2001
Scholarly Lectures / Writings
- Minnesota CLE, Presenter, The New Lawyer Experience, 2016
Other Outstanding Achievements
- In the case of State v. Frankl, I was hired as Special Counsel by the Wilkin County Attorney's office to try a multiple-victim 4-count First Degree Criminal Sexual Conduct case due to the prosecutor's COVID-19 complications. With only three days notice, I successfully tried the case to a jury with 5 additional amended charges. I obtained a conviction on all but 1 charge, and the jury found two aggravating circumstances. The defendant was sentenced to 180 months in prison, and 99 months of supervised release.
- I was hired as the interim Wilkin County Attorney until a replacement could be located. After successfully trying a first degree criminal sexual conduct case with only three days notice, I was asked to accept a position as the Wilkin County Attorney. I declined, but agreed to work as the interim Wilkin County Attorney until another replacement could be located. I served in the position for roughly a month, while also maintaining my law practice.
These comments were made by fellow attorneys during the annual nomination process.
“Chris Cadem takes DWI representation to the next level with careful attention to detail, diligent follow-through on issues, and sincere concern for the impact on his clients of even minor details. His knowledge of the law and collateral issues involving licenses and insurance is impressive and valuable. His practice has flourished out state for a good reason: he is a reliable, careful, and very skilled attorney.”
“Chris is a talented criminal defense attorney and I have referred prior family law clients to him when they have experienced trouble in the criminal system. Chris is not afraid to tackle tough cases and to hold prosecutors accountable.”
Office location for Christopher Cadem
1005 Pebble Lake Rd
Suite 209
Fergus Falls, MN 56537
Phone: 218-396-4897
Selections
- Super Lawyers: 2025 - 2026
- Rising Stars: 2018
