Pet Law

The Law Firm of MANSFIELD, TANICK & COHEN, P.A. represents animal owners and their pets

The law firm of Mansfield, Tanick & Cohen, P.A. has achieved national acclaim for its work in connection with animal law matters. The pet and animal law practice at MANSFIELD, TANICK & COHEN, P.A., is broad, ranging from "A" for Arbitration to "Z" for Zoning matters.

The law firm has represented animal-related organizations, individuals, pet owners and their pets in many different matters around the country. The law firm has been instrumental in advancing the rights of animals and their owners in many respects, including the following:

• Successful litigation ruling that the Minneapolis "Breed Specific" law restricting pit bulls is unconstitutional, which was determined by the Hennepin County District Court and affirmed by the Minnesota Court of Appeals.

• Helping to fend-off restrictive "breed specific" laws around the country, ranging from states along the east coast to California.
• Litigation granting constitutional rights to animal owners against government intrusions, warrantless searches, and invasions of private property throughout Minnesota, including Federal Court litigation invalidating search-and-seizure ordinances without warrants in two suburban communities.
• Challenging animal limitation laws in various communities.
• Contesting puppy mill facilities and helping to bring about a moratorium on puppy mills in portions of Minnesota.
• Representing organizations seeking access to data maintained by government entities regarding animal abuse issues.
• Animal abuse and cruelty issues.
• Representing numerous owners of dogs and other pets in connection with bite-and-injury cases.
• Representing owners of canines that have been declared "potentially dangerous" or "dangerous" dogs.
• In addition to its act of animal law practice, members of the law firm serve as instructors at law schools, participate in Continuing Legal Education (CLE) programs, and write articles for pet-related magazines and other general-interest publications regarding pet law issues.

• The law firm's Animal Law Department includes the following personnel:
  Marshall H. Tanick. Mr. Tanick is a senior partner in the law firm. He has served as national counsel for the American Dog Owner's Association and has also been on the Board of Directors and other dog-related organizations in Minnesota, including the Minnesota Council of Dog Clubs and Animal Ark. Mr. Tanick has been a columnist for Dog World magazine, writing a popular "Laws & Paws" column dealing with laws affecting pets and also has written and lectured extensively on pet-related issues. He has been recognized as a "Super Lawyer" in Minnesota for the past 15 years and is one of Minnesota's "Top 100 Attorneys" since 2002. His telephone number is (612) 339-4295 (ext. 216).
• Jeffrey O'Brien. Mr. O'Brien is a partner with the law firm, and handles business and real estate matters, including representing animal business organizations in connection with corporate and real estate matters. He is an MSBA Board Certified Real Property Specialist and has significant experience dealing with creating pet-related rules for homeowners associations. He has been recognized as a "Rising Star" by Minnesota Law & Politics for 2008 and 2009. His telephone number is (612) 339-4295 (ext. 263).
• Teresa J. Ayling. Ms. Ayling is a partner in the law firm and devotes a substantial portion of her practice to animal-related issues. She has represented numerous organizations in connection with dog limitation laws, zoning matters, contesting puppy mills, zoning matters, and other cases. She also is a licensed arbitrator and mediator and frequently participates in arbitration and mediation of legal disputes as a third-party neutral and as an advocate for pet owners. Her telephone number is (612) 339-4295 (ext. 214).
• Phillip J. Trobaugh. Mr. Trobaugh is a partner with the law firm and represents parties in connection with a number of dog-related matters, including misappropriation of pets, and other legal issues. His telephone number is (612) 339-4295 (ext. 215).
• Stephen H. Parsons. Mr. Parsons has represented parties in a number of dog-related matters, including representing parties in dog bite and injury cases, as well as zoning matters. His telephone number is (612) 339-4295 (ext. 235).

From left to right: Jeanetta M. Murphy, (paralegal); Teresa J. Ayling, (attorney); Phillip J. Trobaugh, (standing, attorney); Marshall H. Tanick, (attorney); Molly E. Scott, (standing, paralegal); Stephen H. Parsons, (attorney); and Jeffrey C. O'Brien, (attorney).

More information about the law firm of MANSFIELD, TANICK & COHEN, P.A., and its animal law practice can be obtained by contacting the law firm at (612) 339-4295 (ext. 216).