Amber Lamers

While an undergraduate student at Winona State University in Winona, Minnesota, Amber’s adjunct professors, who were practicing attorneys, recognized her initial legal aptitude. With their encouragement and recommendations, Amber began her legal career as a family law legal assistant for Attorney Lawrence Downing in Rochester, Minnesota. As Mr. Downing’s legal assistant, Amber assisted him in complex cases involving child custody, spousal maintenance, business valuation, asset distribution, and appeals. Realizing to fully exploit her potential in a legal career, Amber earned acceptance to Hamline University School of Law in Saint Paul, Minnesota. While a law student attending classes in Saint Paul, Minnesota, with her determination and time management skills, Amber continued to successfully work more than 40 hours per week as a legal assistant in Rochester, Minnesota assisting clients through their potentially distressing family law matters.

While simultaneously a full-time legal assistant and law student, District Court Judge Joseph F. Wiener’s noticed Amber’s intellect and resolve, which allowed her to be a successful legal assistant and an outstanding law student. Immediately after her 2006 Hamline University School of Law graduation, Judge Wieners individually selected Amber to be his law clerk. While a law clerk, Amber researched and was exposed to all areas of the law and consistently observed litigation proceedings. Examining litigation proceedings allowed Amber to understand effective legal representation.

At the conclusion of her judicial clerkship, Amber used her experience and legal skill to develop into a successful attorney representing individuals in all areas of family law, including but not limited, marriage dissolution, custody, parenting time, child support, spousal maintenance, property division, business evaluation, paternity, adoptions, harassment orders, and orders for protection. Equally important, Amber has the talent and expertise to represent family law clients in Minnesota District Courts and Minnesota Appellate Courts. As her clients throughout Minnesota have confirmed, Amber prides herself in devoting the necessary time and energy to persuasively advocate for each client.

Amber is a member of the Family Law Section of the American Bar Association, the Minnesota Bar Association, and the Family Law section of the Olmsted County Bar Association. Amber has also been named a rising star by Super Lawyers in 2014, 2016, and 2017 as well as named a Top Woman Attorney in Minnesota in 2016. Amber is the mother of two active children and understands the balance of work and family, in addition to the stress created by any family law matter.

Steve Dittrich

Since 1999, Steven has been in private practice representing individuals in all areas of family law, including but not limited to: marriage dissolution, child custody, family support, property division, adoption, post-dissolution proceedings, and military family law. Steven has represented individuals in Minnesota District Court, Minnesota Court of Appeals, and Minnesota Supreme Court. Family Law is emotionally charged and numerous times throughout a proceeding Steven is more than a lawyer, but also a counselor, money manager, business manager, and negotiator. Steven has negotiated many agreements between parties at odds with each other, with all the associated skills that requires. Additionally, Steven drafts Wills, Powers of Attorney, and Health Care Directives. He has obtained a LexisNexis Martindale-Hubbell Peer Review Rating of Distinguished for Ethical Standards and Legal Ability. During this rating process, a District Court Judge indicated Steven is a very capable, mature attorney who has a good way of working with my family law clients in a way that defuses the often intense emotions that may be present. Also, The American Society of Legal Advocates has selected Steven as a Top 100 Family Law Lawyer in Minnesota. Additional recognitions include: American Academy of Trial Attorneys Premier 100 Trial Attorney, The National Advocates Top 100 Lawyers, American Institute of Family Law Attorneys 10 Best in Exceptional and Outstanding Client Service, and American Registry’s Top Ten Percent American’s Most Honored Professionals.

On June 1, 2013, after 22 years of service in the United States Army Reserve, Steven retired from military service, a rare accomplishment among United States citizens as only 0.6% of the United States population is retired military personnel.

Additionally, his 22 years of military service is an example his loyalty, duty, and selfless service to a respected institution. Steven was deployed as a Civil Affairs Office to Afghanistan from 2003 to 2004 as part of Operation Enduring Freedom. Moreover, Steven conducted overseas military missions in Germany and El Salvador.

In the community, for more than 5 years, Steven was a volunteer youth athletic coach. He coached several hundred children and volunteered as many hours to youth volleyball, softball, basketball, and soccer. Steven was a volunteer attorney coach for the Rochester John Marshall High School Mock Trial team that placed second in its region. Currently, he is a mentor in the Gustavus Adolphus College Mentoring Program in Saint Peter, Minnesota counseling a college student by providing advice and guidance.

For his volunteer and pro bono service, the Minnesota State Bar Association has recognized Steven as a North Star Lawyer in providing 50 hours or more of pro bono legal services per year. Also, the Olmsted County Board of Commissioners recognized Steven’s dedication to pro bono legal services.

Carrie Osowski

Carrie Osowski knew from an early age that she wanted to practice family law. Her parents divorced when she was six, and she experienced firsthand the impact separation can have on a child and a family. Wanting to put that understanding to good use, Carrie set her eyes on a career in the legal field. Carrie fell in love with the southeastern portion of Minnesota while attending college at Winona State University. Following her graduation from University of St. Thomas School of Law in Minneapolis in May 2015, Carrie moved to Rochester and joined Dittrich & Lamers as an associate attorney in December 2015.

Carrie practices solely in the area of family law, representing clients in matters relating to marriage dissolution, custody, parenting time, child support, paternity, adoptions, and protective orders. Carrie enjoys working with clients to create long-term solutions for their families. When parties cannot reach an agreement, she is a strong advocate for her clients in the courtroom. In March 2017, Carrie received the New Attorney Volunteer of the Year Award from Legal Assistance of Olmsted County for her work with their Volunteer Attorney Program. In September 2018, Minnesota Lawyer named Carrie an “Up and Coming” Attorney for her achievements in the legal community. The Minnesota State Bar Association has recognized Carrie as a North Star Lawyer for providing 50 hours or more of pro bono legal services in a year. When not at work, Carrie enjoys running, gardening, and spending time with her wife and their dogs. She also regularly volunteers with Wills for Heroes, an organization that drafts estate planning documents for first responders and their spouses.