As the founding principal of Warner Law, George Warner is banking on the idea that his clients want three things: experienced legal counsel; accessible, personalized attention; and a reasonable financial investment. With long-time clients both spanning the globe and just down the block, George's belief appears to be right on track.
A graduate of Hamline Law School and the University of Iowa, George has practiced law for more than eighteen years, with nearly fifteen focused almost exclusively on commercial collections. While with Bernick & Lifson, P.A., George became and continues to be one of only two Minnesota attorneys to hold National Board Certification as a Creditors' Rights Specialist by the American Board of Certification.
George regularly represents financial institutions, equipment leasing companies, and other secured and unsecured creditors locally, nationally, and internationally and has built extensive experience in state and federal litigation involving collection matters. A frequent lecturer for Continuing Legal Education (CLE) programs for other attorneys and Adjunct Professor at William Mitchell College of Law from 1997 to 2001, George is committed to raising the expectations and expertise of his peers.
As dedicated to his home life as he is to his legal practice, George is a proud husband and father of two children. He delights in spending time with his family, practicing yoga, rock climbing, backpacking, and is currently studying for his third-degree black belt in the Japanese martial art of Aikido.
Professional Honors
- Named a "Rising Star," Minnesota Law and Politics, 1999, 2002
- Nominated as a "Super Lawyer," Minnesota Law and Politics, 2004
Admitted to Practice
- Tribal Court of the Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux (Dakota) Community (1997-2000)
- Tribal Court of the Prairie Island Indian Community (2008 - Present)
Professional Activities
George takes pride in being an active member of the Minnesota bar and participates in several law-related organizations.
- Member, Commercial Law League of America
- Member, Minnesota State Bar Association
- Member, Hennepin County Bar Association
- Member, Volunteer Lawyers Network
Representative Cases
- Mount Sinai Hosp. v. Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota, No. C2-99-59, 1999 WL 672818 (Minn. Ct. App. 1999) (intervention and garnishment proceedings).
- Picht v. Hawks, 77 F. Supp. 1041; 236 F.3d 446 (8th Cir. 2001) (prejudgment garnishment and the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act).
- Irwin Union v. Speedy Car Wash, 672 N.W.2d 375 (Minn. Ct. App. 2003); (prejudgment garnishment and the Uniform Enforcement of Foreign Judgments Act).
- Advance Duplication Servs. v. Payne, No. A05-1132 (Minn. Ct. App. 2006) (Minnesota's long-arm jurisdiction and internet commerce).
- Aamodt v. Renander, No. A07-0268 (Minn. Ct. App. 2008); (guaranty enforcement and the "original promise" doctrine).
Classes/Seminars Taught
- Legal Research Teaching Assistant, Hamline University School of Law, 1990-1991
- Course Chair, "Landlord-Tenant Law for Residential Property Managers," Minnesota Multi Housing Association, 1992, 1993
- Speaker, "Fair Debt Collection Practices Act: Concerns for Landlord-Tenant Attorneys," sponsored by Hennepin County Bar Association - Landlord/Tenant Committee, 1998, June 1999
- Speaker, "Residential Landlord Tenant Law," sponsored by Minnesota State Bar Association, July, 1999, July, 2000
- Speaker, "Commercial and Residential Evictions," sponsored by Sterling Education Services, November, 2002
- Speaker, "How to Collect Debts in Minnesota: Collection Litigation & the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act; Ethical 'Tricks & Traps' for New Lawyers; Candid Advice for Your First Years of Practice," sponsored by Minnesota State Bar Association, January, 2003
- Speaker, "Collecting Debts: What You Need to Know About the Lawsuit," sponsored by Minnesota State Bar Association, September 24, 2003
- Speaker, "Garnishment Made Interesting and Easy," sponsored by Minnesota Institute of Legal Education, February, 2003, August, 2003
- Speaker, "Debt Collection From Start to Finish," sponsored by National Business Institute, September, 2004
- Speaker, "Commercial & Residential Evictions and Collecting Overdue Rent," sponsored by Sterling Education Services, October, 2004
- Speaker, "Be Careful When You Collect on a Judgment Because the AG is Watching: FDCPA Update and Discussion on Recent Complaints Brought by the Attorney General's Office Against Minnesota Collection Agencies and Law Firms," sponsored by Minnesota State Bar Association, February, 2005
- Speaker, "Skip Tracing Tools to Help You Track Down Your Money in Minnesota," sponsored by National Business Institute, October, 2005
- Speaker and Course Chair, "How to Collect Debts in Minnesota," sponsored by Minnesota State Bar Association, September, 2002, September, 2003, September, 2004, July, 2005, January, 2006, September, 2006, July 2008; July 2009; April 2010.
- Speaker, "The New Lawyer Experience: Avoiding Common, Real-World Ethics Problems" and "How to Collect Debts in Minnesota: Collection Litigation and the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act," sponsored by Minnesota State Bar Association, January, 2004, January, 2005, January 2007
- Speaker, "The Elder Law Institute: Foreclosure Basics," sponsored by Minnesota State Bar Association, October 2008
- Speaker, "Commercial and Residential Evictions and Collecting Overdue Rent," sponsored by Sterling Education Services, Inc., May 2009
Pro Bono Activities
- Long-time Board Member and former President of the Twin Cities Aikido Center, Inc. (TCAC), a federally recognized 501(c)(3) corporation and the largest Aikido practice hall in the Upper Midwest. Active member of the TCAC yudanshakai studying for a second-degree black belt.
- Board Member of the Twin Cities' branch of the French American Chamber of Commerce.
- Pro Bono attorney with the Volunteer Lawyers Network and the Pro Se Project of the Minnesota Chapter of the Federal Bar Association.
