Frederick J Goetz

Partner

Frederick is a seasoned litigator. In his over 30 years of practice he has successfully defended those accused of crimes including fraud, bribery, trademark and copyright infringement, murder, narcotics crimes, sexual assault and misconduct offenses, as well as many other offenses. He also has helped vindicate the civil rights of numerous citizens who have suffered violations of their constitutional rights by government officials including police officers and corrections staff. He also has helped personal injury victims obtain millions of dollars in recoveries.

Frederick is a past-president of the Minnesota Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers. Frederick and his family live in Minneapolis.

Legal Assistant: Kam Jones

Practice Areas:

My Philosophy

My mission is simple: understanding and achieving your objectives. With thorough preparation, skilled and experienced advocacy, and zealous representation, nothing less than the best possible result in every case is my goal.

I have helped hundreds of clients throughout the country achieve their objectives, many in extremely difficult and high profile cases. My clients know that I will always pursue their interests, whether that means taking the case to trial or reaching a fair settlement. In everything I do, I am guided by my unyielding commitment to taking care of my clients and getting them the best possible outcome.

Notable Cases

Our work

  • Minneapolis v. Freedom Fighters
    $800,000 to settle a lawsuit related to the arrest of members of the Freedom Fighters
    Civil Rights
  • State v. T.H.
    Charges of third degree murder and first degree controlled substance crime dismissed.
    READ MORE
    Criminal Defense
  • A.D. v. V.Z.
    Goetz obtains recovery of over $1.5 million for passenger in car injured after driver drove recklessly through city streets, crashed her car, and fled scene after the crash.
    Personal Injury
  • T.P v. Blue Earth County et al
    Goetz obtains total settlement of over $350,000 for man wrongfully arrested by police, held in jail for over three days, and had young son wrongfully removed from his custody.
    Civil Rights
  • J.L. v. T.B.
    Goetz recovers $300,000 for surviving next-of-kin.
    READ MORE
    Civil Rights
  • State v. D.S.
    Shooting that left two victims dead and two injured. Client charged with two counts of murder and two counts of attempted murder. Goetz argued client was mistakenly identified as the shooter. Jury returned verdicts of not guilty on all counts.
    Criminal Defense
  • Sowell v. M.B.Co.
    $1 million plus settlement for victims in car struck by semi truck.
    Personal Injury

Professional and Civic Activities

  • Graduate, Carleton College, 1983
  • Honors Graduate, Hamline University Law School, 1987
  • Partner, Voss, Goetz & Hickman, Minneapolis, 1987-1996
  • Sole Proprietor, Law Office of Frederick J. Goetz, Minneapolis, 1996-2001
  • Award Winner, “Rising Star,” Minnesota Law & Politics, 1998, 1999
  • Award Winner, “Super Lawyer,” Minnesota Law & Politics, 2000-2008, 2011 - 2022
  • Member, Minnesota and Hennepin County Bar Associations
  • Past Member, Fourth Judicial District Ethics Committee
  • Member, American College of Trial Lawyers
  • Member, American Board of Trial Advocates
  • Member, National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers
  • Member, Minnesota Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers
  • Member, American Association for Justice
  • Member, Minnesota Association for Justice
  • President, Minnesota Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, 2003-2004
  • Board of Stewards, Plymouth Congregational Church, 2001-2004
  • Board of Deacons, Plymouth Congregational Church, 2005-2007