Business Spotlight
Local and Like It
Sauk Rapids natives Todd Kelm and Tim Reuter are proud of their roots and count friendly greetings on the street as a sign of success. By Gail Ivers
PERSONAL PROFILES
Todd Kelm, 55
Hometown: Sauk Rapids
Education: Sauk Rapids High School, St. Cloud State University, William Mitchell College of Law
Family: Wife Rachelle; sons Noah and Hadyn; daughters Mackensey and Grayce; three grandchildren Hobbies: Family and fishing Fun Fact: “I love being a grandpa.”
TIMELINE Dec. 1, 1989
Todd Kelm opens a law office in the basement of what is now the Wells Fargo building in Sauk Rapids
1992
Kelm becomes the criminal attorney for the City of Sauk Rapids, a position he holds to this day
Jan. 1, 1996
Kelm moves his office to its current location in Sauk Rapids; Karen Ludwig joins the practice as a legal assistant
Feb. 1996
Tim Reuter joins the practice as an associate attorney
Jan. 2000
Joseph S. Mayers joined the firm as an associate attorney
2002
Kelm & Reuter, P.A. doubles its space and adds staff
Business Central: How did you end up working together? Todd Kelm: Tim’s father did the work on my car. He came to the office and said his son was in law school and maybe I could hire him. And it’s worked out really well. Tim Reuter: Dad wanted me to move home. I thought ‘Why not give it a try.’ He knew how important it was to know people when you’re trying to get started. Kelm: It definitely helped that I was local. I had family that gave me work. A family friend gave me a big job and I wondered if he really wanted me to do it. He said “You’ll learn how. I have confidence in you.” Other people see that
Sept. 2006
Casey C. Kolb joined the firm as an associate attorney
Oct. 2009
The attorneys start aggressively advertising on radio to improve their name recognition
July 2018
Ashley M. Bukowski, a recent law school graduate, joins the firm
Nov. 2018
Kelm & Reuter, P.A. addd a 5th attorney
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and have confidence, too. It makes a huge difference. BC: Why did you start advertising? Kelm: We had been getting referrals from local bankers, but the younger bankers only knew Twin Cities’ attorneys. The ads improved our name recognition enormously. It was a huge growth point for us. You have to work to stay visible. BC: What do you like best about being attorneys? Kelm: It’s fun to watch a business you helped form, grow into a large company … Reuter: … and see the succession plan – children, grandchildren – watching
Timothy Reuter, 48 Hometown: Sauk Rapids
Education: Cathedral High School, University of Minnesota-Duluth, Drake University Law School
Family: Wife Kathy, sons Brad and Brandon and daughter Brianna
Hobbies: Children’s activities, golf, serving as president for District 5 Hockey
Fun Fact: My children are the fourth generation in our family to go to Cathedral.
them hand off the business. Kelm: Helping people create things. Litigation and practicing law is interesting, but helping businesses and seeing them thrive is great. It’s nice being local – we see these people, we pass them on the street and say hi. They keep us grounded. Reuter: Many people who call don’t need an attorney, at least not right then. They just need some direction. We always answer questions when people call. Kelm: We remind ourselves we want to be that old fashioned phrase: “counselors at law.” Reuter: Creatively solving problems before they happen. That’s definitely the most fun. Anticipate and avoid.
AT A GLANCE
Kelm & Reuter, P.A.
1287 2nd Street N Ste 101 Sauk Rapids, MN 56379-2531 (320) 251-1423 Fax: (320) 251-2862 Email: kelmreuter@kelmreuter.com kelmreuter.com Opened: December 1, 1989
Chamber member since February 1990
Business Description: A full service law firm practicing in the areas of business, family, and criminal law, real estate, and estate planning. Managing Partners: Todd Kelm and Timothy Reuter
Number of Employees: Eight – five attorneys, two legal assistants, and a receptionist