A “lawyer’s lawyer,” Aaron focuses his practice primarily on representing and advising lawyers and law firms in Minnesota on matters of legal ethics. Aaron previously worked for the firm for three years before transitioning to the public sector where he worked as an attorney at the Minnesota Office of Lawyers Professional Responsibility, investigating and prosecuting matters involving attorney misconduct. Aaron rejoined the firm in July 2019.
In addition to his ethics practice, Aaron manages the firm’s associate attorneys and supports the firm’s business litigation and trademark clients.
Aaron is an Adjunct Professor of Law at Mitchell Hamline School of Law, which is also his alma mater. In law school, he received a CALI award, earned Dean’s List honors, and served on the editorial board of the Mitchell Hamline Law Review Volume 42. Before law school, Aaron worked for more than four years in retail banking and consumer deposit compliance.
In his free time, Aaron enjoys golfing, four-wheeling, downhill skiing, and spending time with his family and friends. He is also an avid fan of the Minnesota Twins, Vikings, Wild, and Timberwolves.
Admissions
- State of Minnesota
- U.S. District Court, District of Minnesota
- U.S. Court of Appeals, 8th Circuit
- U.S. Court of Appeals, 10th Circuit
Membership & Affiliations
- Association of Professional Responsibility Lawyers
- American Bar Association, Center for Professional Responsibility
- Federal Bar Association, Minnesota Chapter
- Minnesota State Bar Association
- Hennepin County Bar Association
- MSBA Rules of Professional Regulation Committee
Awards & Recognition
Super Lawyers Rising Star
2021-2023
MSBA North Star Lawyer
2023 (for pro bono services in 2022)
Presentations
- "Ethics for the Public Lawyer: Duty of Candor," Minnesota Attorney General's Office (Apr. 2023).
- "Ethics Year in Review: 2022," Anne W. Grande Law Library CLE Series (Apr. 2023).
- "Ethics, a Year in Review: 2021," Anne W. Grande Law Library CLE Series (Apr. 2022).
- "Ethics Developments in 2020: A Year in Review," Anne W. Grande Law Library CLE Series (Apr. 2021).
- "2019 in Hindsight: Ethics Case Law Update," Anne W. Grande Law Library CLE Series (Feb. 2020).
- "Your First Ethics Complaint: What Not to Do,” 2019 MSBA New Lawyers Leadership Conference (Nov. 2019).
- "Tips & Tricks for DEC Chairs in Ethics Investigations,” Annual District Ethics Committee Chairs Symposium (May 2019).
- “Ethics and the Duty to Report,” Ramsey County Attorney’s Office CLE (Apr. 2019).
- “Major Ethics Developments in 2018,” Anne W. Grande Law Library CLE Series (Apr. 2019).
- “Ethics & Fee Agreements - Practice Management Pointers,” Collaborative Community Law Initiative CLE (Dec. 2018).
- “The Ethics Refresher for Family Law Practitioners,” American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers - MN Chapter (Nov. 2018).
- “Disciplinary Update: A Synopsis of Recent Discipline Cases,” 10th Judicial District Annual Judicial Clerk CLE (Oct. 2018).
- “Ethics: Lessons Learned from the Mistakes of Others - A Synopsis of Recent Discipline Cases,” Minnesota CLE Webcast (Aug. 2018).
- “Top 20 Things All Criminal Law Attorneys Should Remember About Ethics,” 2018 Criminal Justice Institute (Aug. 2018).
- “Top 20 Things All Probate & Trust Attorneys Should Remember About Ethics,” 2018 Probate & Trust Law Section Conference (June 2018).
- “Major Ethics Developments in 2017,” Anne W. Grande Law Library CLE Series (May 2018).
- “Ethics Update for Family Law Attorneys,” American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers - MN Chapter (Apr. 2018).
Publications
Aaron D. Sampsel, “Professional Quandaries and Quagmires – Attorney Liens: What You Can and Cannot Claim” (Minn. Lawyer Sept. 30, 2019).
