Meet Our Team of Attorneys

Business law, real estate law, construction law

As a business attorney, Roy Christensen helps clients on both ends of the legal spectrum. Our goal is to find practical solutions that will make common sense to our clients. “I put deals together,” he says, “and I take them apart. We like helping people solve their problems, no matter what those problems may be.” 

Christensen handles all aspects of business and commercial law, from advising on purchases and sales to negotiating and drafting contracts, to financing, to resolving disputes. He enjoys working closely with clients as their attorney and then seeing them return when they have new opportunities or issues that require legal advice. 

“Our goal is to find practical solutions that will make common sense to our clients,” Christensen says. “Then they are happy they picked up the phone and called you in the first place.” 

Christensen graduated summa cum laude from St. John’s University in Collegeville, MN, and received his law degree, cum laude, from the University of Minnesota. He served in the Minnesota Army National Guard from 1997-2005.

Family law, business law, banking law, employment law, civil litigation

Diana Dodge remembers the handwritten note. It was from a client who had come to her with a family-law problem that Dodge helped her resolve. When the case was over, the client finally had resolution and closure of a particularly difficult case. 

 “It’s rewarding when clients come to me with a project or issue that needs to be resolved and they’re pleased with the result,” Dodge says. 

Dodge’s practice focuses on family law matters, such as divorces and custody issues. In family law, she acts as a mediator and evaluator. She is a qualified neutral under Rule 114 of the Minnesota General Rules of Practice. She also focuses on business law, including business formation, litigation, and financing issues. Her expertise as an attorney includes banking law, which encompasses loan documentation, restructuring, and foreclosures. Her practice also involves landlord and tenant issues, guardianships and conservatorships, employment defense, and worker’s compensation defense. 

Dodge graduated cum laude from the College of St. Scholastica and also graduated cum laude from William Mitchell School of Law. She is admitted to practice in both the state and federal courts in Minnesota and Wisconsin. She is a member of the Minnesota State Bar Association as well as the 11th District Bar Association.

Labor and employment law, general civil litigation



For Jessica Durbin, being an attorney means serving as a guide for her clients. 

 “I try to steer my clients through difficult decisions,” she says. “I ask questions. We get to the bottom of it.”

 Those conversations are always two-way and are always collaborative. 

“I rarely say to my clients, ‘You have to do this,’” Durbin says. “I usually say, ‘You can do A, B or C, and here are the advantages and disadvantages of those options.’” 

That collaboration is especially important in employment law, where Durbin focuses her work as an attorney, representing businesses. Much of the work is done before problems arise. 

“People say, ‘I’m doing a job interview. What questions can I ask?’” Durbin says. “My job is helping my clients identify their options and make sound decisions.” 

She adds: “It’s important to know the client and understand their philosophy and values. It guides the legal advice I give.” 

Durbin earned her bachelor’s degree from the College of St. Scholastica, graduating summa cum laude, and her law degree from the University of Minnesota, where she was a Justice Harry A. Blackmun Scholar. She has served on the Board of Trustees at Scholastica, on the Board of Directors of the Duluth Regional Care Center, as the President of the Duluth New Lawyers, and as the Chair of the Minnesota State Bar Association’s 11th District Ethics Committee. Durbin is admitted to practice in the state and federal courts in Minnesota and Wisconsin. She was named a Super Lawyers Rising Star from 2008 through 2016.

Civil litigation

Daryl Fuchihara sees litigation not only as an argument, but also as an opportunity to solve a client’s problem.

“You start with the pleadings, each party’s version of the dispute, and then you start digging into it,” he says. “You research the law. You review documents. You talk to witnesses. From there, the job is to develop a narrative and present our client’s side of the story. But the details learned about the case are always being used to figure out a solution for our client.”

He adds: “What I enjoy most about legal work are the interactions with our clients. The job is to work through a problem for them and come up with a resolution. The law presents different challenges all the time. You may have a case that resembles another. But the people involved, the issues that arise, and how they affect our clients are always different.”

Fuchihara specializes in litigation for Johnson, Killen & Seiler. He joined the firm in 2018 and has been a practicing attorney in Duluth since 2014. Before that, he practiced in his hometown of Thunder Bay. He is licensed to practice in Minnesota and Wisconsin, and was previously licensed in Ontario.

He is a 2012 graduate of William Mitchell College of Law in St. Paul. He earned his bachelor’s degree in applied economics in 2007 from The College of St. Scholastica in Duluth, graduating cum laude.

Fuchihara is the author of The Response to the Complaint chapter of the Minnesota CLE State District Court Civil Practice Deskbook. He is a member of the Minnesota Commission on Judicial Selection. He is a former board member and past president of the 11th District Bar Association in Duluth. He was named a Super Lawyers Rising Star in the field of general litigation in 2021, 2022, and 2023. He also offers his time to the Legal Aid Service of Northeastern Minnesota private attorney involvement program.

Business law, financial transactions, estate planning

When it comes to business law, Bob Pearson has seen the full range—from helping owners with start-ups to helping them sell and transition to new owners or the next generation.

“I represent businesses and business owners in everything from the initiation of a business to financing, capitalization, operations, mergers, acquisitions and disposition and sale,” he says. “The biggest accomplishment I have had professionally is the satisfied clients I have had over the years. I have seen their businesses grow and flourish and the owners pass those businesses down from generation to generation. I’m glad to have been a part of their success.” 

Pearson’s work as an attorney also involves assisting business owners with estate planning. In addition, he practices extensively in commercial leasing and shopping-center transactions, representing owners, developers and retail tenants in a wide variety of matters during his career at Johnson, Killen & Seiler. 

“We’ve always been known as an extremely hard-working law firm, putting forth whatever it takes to meet the clients’ needs,” Pearson says. “The clients’ needs may change month to month and year to year, but we’re extremely adaptable, and we have a real pool of talent here.” He adds, “We’re committed to delivering what our clients need to be successful.” 

Pearson’s community work includes serving as a director and president of the Duluth Airport Authority Board of Directors. He graduated egregia cum laude from St. John’s University in Collegeville, MN, and cum laude from the University of Minnesota School of Law. Being a proud native of the Iron Range, Bob maintains offices at Lake Vermilion-Tower as well as in Duluth.

Employment law, labor law, civil litigation, civil appeals

Mr. Roby is of counsel to Johnson, Killen & Seiler, P. A.

Joe Roby recalls a case in which he represented a large company accused of discrimination. The company was the client. But he ultimately was representing the department manager who made the decision that became the focus of the lawsuit.

Roby remembers the look of relief on the manager’s face when the case was dismissed. “I always felt that I was helping her,” Roby says. “We help people who run businesses. We represent the department manager, the supervisor, the people who make decisions. It’s their reputations on the line. They’re the ones who stay up all night worrying.” 

Much of Roby’s work as an attorney specializing in employment and labor law involves staying in close contact with clients to help them navigate employment law issues before they become problems. 

“A lot of my work is the 10- to 20-minute phone call with a client who says, ‘How do I handle this situation?’” Roby says. “We address it in a phone call, and they don’t get sued. We’re pretty good at that.” 

Roby has been associated with Johnson, Killen & Seiler throughout his career as an attorney. 

“We like to think that we have somebody who’s good at whatever legal issue you may have,” he says. “We also are in the customer service business. Nothing sits. We’re good at keeping our clients apprised and aware.” 

Roby graduated with the highest honors from the South Dakota School of Mines & Technology and received his law degree from William Mitchell College of Law. He is certified by the Minnesota State Bar Association as a labor and employment law specialist. He has been named a Super Lawyer every year since 1994.

Estate planning, business law, health care law



Mr. Seiler is of counsel to Johnson, Killen & Seiler, P. A.

Take a complex situation. Make it simple. Achieve the client’s goals.

That’s how Steven Seiler sees his job as an attorney. He’s been doing it since 1969 at Johnson, Killen & Seiler, where he is the longest-serving partner. “I like to take a complex situation and help make it clear,” 

Seiler says. “Take tax law. If I have a client up against a very difficult tax issue, you study it, and you understand it. Then you explain it to the client. And then you solve the problem.” Much of Seiler’s practice involves working with families on wealth management and transfer issues. “In estate planning, it’s getting to the end and seeing that it works out—that the client’s wishes come true,” he says. “That’s a good outcome.” Seiler notices one big difference for clients when they work with Johnson, Killen & Seiler. 

“Here you get service from the attorney you have hired,” he says. “You’re not going to be handed off to someone else.”

 Seiler graduated from the University of Minnesota and Drake University Law School. He is a member of the Arrowhead Estate Planning Counsel and the American College of Trust and Estate Counsel.

Business law, employment and labor law, estates and trusts, real estate

The law is in Jacob Stonesifer’s blood. His grandfather was an attorney, and early on Stonesifer was attracted to the problem-solving work he saw his grandfather doing.

At the end of the day as an attorney, that’s what you’re there for,” Stonesifer says. “You’re working with clients at a time of need. You have to be prepared to help them in the situation in which they find themselves. But when you know the law, you can give your clients the edge and help them resolve issues.”

Stonesifer enjoys the relationship-building and consultative work of being an attorney.

“We keep our clients apprised of the law and up to date. We make sure they’re protected,” he says. “We also help businesses figure out their options. For us, it’s always less about where they can go and more about where they should go.”

Stonesifer graduated magna cum laude in 2014 from the University of Minnesota Law School. He graduated summa cum laude in 2010 from the University of Wisconsin-Stout with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Business Administration. He is licensed to practice in Minnesota, Wisconsin, and the federal courts.

Business law, corporate formations, acquisitions, real estate law, probate

Mr. Vidyarthi is of counsel to Johnson, Killen & Seiler, P. A.

Alok Vidyarthi’s connection to Johnson, Killen & Seiler goes back well before he became an attorney–even before he graduated from college.

“I spent a summer working in the mail room here,” he says. “I got exposed to the law firm culture and atmosphere.”

He liked what he saw—the same strengths of the firm that he sees now as a partner

“Being the size we are, as one of the largest law firms in Duluth, if someone has a problem or an issue or a question, an attorney at this firm most likely can help that person out,” Vidyarthi says.

Vidyarthi maintains a wide practice, with specialties in business law, corporate formations, acquisitions, real estate law, and probate. 

“As a lawyer here, you are exposed to a variety of different legal areas,” he says. Success to him is seeing his clients’ goals achieved. 

“It’s putting a complicated deal together and seeing it to completion—negotiated, closed, and put to bed,” he says. “To smooth over issues and put the solution on paper is not easy, but it becomes easier the more you do it. Experience really matters, and we have that at this firm.” 

Vidyarthi grew up in Duluth but was born in India. He credits being raised in a “bi-cultural environment” with one of his lifelong passions, travel. 

“I will always have a passion for travel—seeing the world and how other people live,” he says. 

Vidyarthi graduated cum laude from Carleton College and received his law degree from Northwestern University School of Law.

Estates and trusts

Susan Waldie knows that the best solutions for her clients often involve much more than the law.

“There are always other issues—personal matters, obstacles and preferences—that come into play,” she says. “The best problem-solving comes from looking beyond the law. You have to provide the correct legal answer, of course. But you also have to communicate with your clients and develop a real-world solution that will make them the happiest.”

She adds: “I’m grateful to have the experience and training to put those solutions into effect.”

Waldie, who is licensed to practice in Minnesota, earned her law degree from West Virginia University in 2016. She became interested in the law while pursuing her bachelor’s degree in economics, which she completed in 2011 at Marshall University in Huntington, WV.

“I learned that economics is not about money. It’s about people,” she says. “As an attorney, you’re helping people. You help them realize dreams. You help them form businesses. You help them confront difficult issues in their lives. Being an attorney allows me to help people on a very personal level when they need it most.”

Business law, employment law, labor law, real estate law, estate planning

Mr. Zallar is of counsel inactive status to Johnson, Killen & Seiler, P.A. 

Robert Zallar graduated from the University of Minnesota Duluth with an education degree, planning a career as a teacher.

The law became his career choice instead. But as an attorney, Zallar often finds himself in that teaching role again, working to bring sides together in labor negotiations or to educate clients about options to help them resolve concerns or realize opportunities. 

“It’s satisfying to see deals and agreements come together,” Zallar says. “I like helping people achieve their goals and avoid pitfalls along the way.” Zallar has a wide practice as a result of working in a small firm as well as with the Internal Revenue Service for part of his career. He has developed an expertise and an interest in many aspects of the law. He likes the variety—and the variety of clients. Close attention to client service also has always been part of his practice. 

“If you’re a client of mine, you know you’re always going to be able to reach me,” he says. About his clients, he says: “I hope they feel they receive value for what we do for them. Our time and our knowledge, that is our stock in trade as attorneys.” 

Zallar graduated cum laude from the University of Minnesota Duluth and also graduated cum laude from William Mitchell College of Law. He has been a Super Lawyer annually since 2001.