Rochester MN DWI Lawyers
Local Defense. Regional Power.
We combine the personalized attention of a local Rochester office with the resources and experience of one of Southern Minnesota’s most respected criminal defense firms.
About Kohlmeyer Hagen - Rochester Division
When you are facing a criminal charge, you don’t need a “general practitioner” who handles wills in the morning and DWIs in the afternoon. You need an attorney who focuses on DWI cases.
Kohlmeyer Hagen was founded with a singular focus: to provide elite-level defense for Rochester DWI and Criminal law defense. While our roots are in Mankato, our commitment to Southeastern Minnesota drove us to establish a dedicated office right here in Rochester.
Why This Matters for Your Case
We Are Local: Our attorneys live here. Our team appears in the Olmsted County Government Center weekly. We know the judges, the prosecutors, and the local court administration.
We Are Locally Focused: Our Rochester team focuses heavily on DWI and criminal defense. The team stays on the cutting edge of Minnesota breath-testing science and Fourth Amendment case law.
We Are Supported: As part of the Kohlmeyer Hagen firm, our Rochester attorneys have access to a deep bench of legal research, resources, and decades of combined trial experience.
Rochester DWI Lawyers
Attorney Tom Hagen
Thomas Hagen is a Founding Partner of Kohlmeyer Hagen and a nationally recognized authority in criminal and DWI defense.
When your future, your freedom, and your reputation are on the line, you need more than just a lawyer—you need a proven heavyweight. Thomas Hagen has built his career on a single principle: providing aggressive, high-stakes defense for those facing serious charges. Recognized as the National Trial Lawyer of the Year (2021) and a Minnesota Attorney of the Year (2021), Tom brings an elite level of trial experience and legal strategy to every DWI case he handles.
Tom represents clients across Southern Minnesota, including Rochester, Mankato, and the surrounding counties. He specializes in complex DWI litigation, defending clients against everything from first-time offenses to felony DWI and vehicular operation charges. He is the author of “Arrested for DWI in Minnesota,” a definitive guide that underscores his deep technical understanding of the state’s impaired driving laws.
His track record of success has drawn attention from major media outlets, including The New York Times, USA Today, and NBC Dateline, where he is frequently sought for his legal insights. But his most important recognition comes from his clients: Tom holds a perfect 10.0 Superb Rating on Avvo and has been named a Rising Star or Superlawyer every year since 2012. He consistently earns the Client’s Choice Award for his dedication to results.
Tom does not dabble in other areas of law; his practice is 100% focused on Criminal Defense. Whether challenging the validity of a traffic stop or dissecting the science of a breath test, Tom’s goal is to dominate the courtroom and secure the best possible outcome for you.
Attorney Chris Cain
Christopher Cain is a leading DWI defense authority serving Rochester and all of Southern Minnesota.
As a former prosecutor, Christopher possesses a distinct tactical advantage over the “typical” defense attorney: he knows the playbook from the other side. He understands exactly how the State builds a DWI case—and, more importantly, where those cases are vulnerable to attack. Christopher leverages this insider perspective to dissect police reports, challenge breath/blood test procedures, and expose procedural errors to his client’s advantage.
Christopher’s practice is laser-focused on the “Big Three” of impaired driving defense: Criminal DWI Defense, Driver’s License Revocation Challenges, and Vehicle Forfeiture. He approaches every file with a dual strategy: securing immediate short-term relief (getting you back on the road) while fighting for the best possible long-term criminal outcome.
He understands that a DWI is not just a traffic ticket; it is a threat to your family, your career, your professional licensure, and even your ability to travel internationally. Christopher cuts through the confusion to provide direct, accurate, and strategic counsel. DWI defense is complex and high-stakes—this is not the time to rely on a co-worker’s advice or “do-it-yourself” legal tactics. Competent, specialized representation is the only way to effectively protect your rights.
If a fair resolution cannot be reached, Christopher is ready to fight. With over 100 jury trials in his 35 years of experience, he has the courtroom presence and trial experience necessary to stand up for your rights and property before a judge and jury. Experience matters.
Attorney Peter Bartlett
Peter Bartlett is a dedicated DWI defense attorney focusing on Rochester and Southeast Minnesota.
With a reputation for tenacious advocacy, Peter employs a proactive defense strategy that begins the moment he takes a case. He does not simply accept the police report as fact; he meticulously dissects every angle of the State’s evidence. From challenging the legality of the initial traffic stop and the accuracy of Field Sobriety Tests to scrutinizing the science behind the breath or blood testing equipment, Peter leaves no stone unturned. His goal is clear: to systematically dismantle the prosecution’s case to secure dismissals or reduced charges whenever possible.
Peter earned his law degree from the University of North Dakota, where he began honing his courtroom skills early as a student attorney in criminal defense. Now licensed to practice in both Minnesota and North Dakota, Peter brings a broad range of experience and a deep understanding of complex DWI statutes to his Rochester practice.
Whether you are facing the shock of a first-time DWI or the high stakes of a Felony charge, Peter Bartlett provides the skilled representation you need. He understands that your license and your liberty are on the line, and he fights to ensure a single mistake does not define your future.
