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Legendary MN attorney Ron Meshbesher dies at 85

Ron Meshbesher was 85 years old. He died after struggling with Alzheimer's in his final years.
Ron Meshbesher was perhaps Minnesota's best known defense attorney. He passed away at the age of 85 after a battle with Alzheimer's.

MINNEAPOLIS - A man who for decades was known as one of Minnesota's most aggressive and successful defense attorney has passed away.

Ron Meshbesher was 85 years old. He died after struggling with Alzheimer's in his final years.

The St. Paul Pioneer Press reports that Meshbesher graduated from Minneapolis North High School in 1951 before receiving his undergraduate and law degrees from the University of Minnesota. The Meshbesher & Spence website says at age 24, he began practicing as a prosecutor for the Hennepin County attorney’s office, where he tried 45 felony cases in his first three years with a conviction rate of 92 percent.

But he soon found his true calling as a defense attorney, gaining aquitals for high-profile clients like Marjorie Caldwell, found not guilty in the murder of her mother Elisabeth Congdon and a nurse at the infamous Duluth mansion.

Meshbesher became perhaps the most well-known attorney in the Twin Cities, buoyed by regular ads on teleivions. He was even name-checked in Joel and Ethan Coen’s 2009 film “A Serious Man,” which the St. Louis Park natives set in their hometown. When a character in the film needs legal advice, he’s advised to seek out Ron Meshbesher.

"Ron was a giant in the legal profession, particularly in the courtroom," said his longtime law partner Mark Streed, President of Meshbesher and Spence. "He was beloved by all because of his unique gift of being able to make a personal connection with everyone and anyone. He left a great legacy including all the lawyers he mentored and his law firm, Meshbesher & Spence. He will be missed."

Meshbesher retired in 2014 after 57 years of practice.

“I am a lucky guy… for many years I’ve had the privilege and honor to seek justice for thousands of people," Meshbesher says in a quote on his firm's website. "In doing so, I’ve never lost sight that the cause is the clients and I am their advocate.”

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