About Us
The Firm
The Spott Law Office is a law firm founded by attorneys Patrick Spott and Kay Biga. The firm’s goal is to serve as general counsel to our clients by providing high-caliber, comprehensive legal services, including business advice, business entity formation, business acquisitions, employment compliance advice, contract drafting and interpretation, collections, wage and hour compliance and advice, estate planning, and probate. When it is necessary to litigate the firm brings many years of experience in commercial, business, and construction litigation.
Whenever possible the attorneys and paralegals of the firm seek solutions that avoid litigation. To that end attorneys, Patrick Spott and Kay Biga are experienced mediators who utilize their extensive business backgrounds to help clients understand the practical business and professional implications of legal decisions. With a focus on non-traditional methods of problem-solving, both Pat and Kay work as mediators, bringing parties to resolution outside of the courtroom. Pat is also called upon to arbitrate disputes as an arbitrator.
Meet our Team
Patrick Spott
Attorney Patrick M. Spott was selected by Minnesota Law and Politics as a “Super Lawyer” in the years 2000-2004 and 2006-2009. Only 5% of all lawyers in the State of Minnesota receive such an honor each year. He has appeared on “Court TV” as well as local television discussing legal issues. His cases have been profiled in Forbes Magazine, the Minnesota Lawyer, and other papers and periodicals. Pat focuses his efforts in helping small businesses, professionals and other successful individuals avoid litigation and prosper.
A speaker at Continuing Legal Education seminars, Pat has presented on numerous business topics including employment, workers’ compensation, and collection law.
From 1997 to 2011 he worked as a Dale Carnegie Trainer in addition to his practice, instructing both lawyer and non-lawyer business people in the application of time-tested principles to measurably improve confidence, communications, and interpersonal skills.
At the College of St. Scholatica, Pat taught in the School of Business and Technology. He provides legal training to accounting and finance majors in the college’s undergraduate program. Pat was also an adjunct faculty member at the College of St. Scholastica and the University of Wisconsin Flex Degree Program ang taught graduate students in the MBA in Leadership and Change, again focusing on legal topics.
At the University of Wisconsin, Superior Pat helped train our area’s future paralegals and lawyers. Teaching in the Human Behavior, Justice, and Diversity Department, Pat provides instruction in almost every area of law. He also designed the first online legal studies course at UWS and continues to teach in both the traditional classroom setting and online.
In addition to speaking engagements, radio, and television, Pat is a regular contributor of written articles on legal topics to a number of publications, including The Duluthian magazine.
Pat received his Bachelor of Arts Degree, cum laude, from the University of Minnesota in 1983, and his Juris Doctor Degree, cum laude, from Hamline University School of Law in 1986. He has served as a law clerk for the Minnesota Court of Appeals and the Sixth Judicial District in Duluth.
He is past president of the Duluth Trial Lawyers Association and a member of the Eleventh District Bar Association. He has served as Chair and/or a Board Member of numerous boards of directors, including: Girl Scouts of Northern Pine Council, Tweed Museum Advisory Board, Minnesota Arthritis Foundation, Operation Aware, Duluth Superior Symphony Orchestra, Duluth Area Chamber of Commerce, Kitchi Gammi Club, and Kiwanis Club of Friendly Duluth.
Education:
- Hamline University School of Law, St. Paul, MN, 1986 J.D. cum laude
- Honors: Silver Gavel Honor Society, Law Review Associate, and Notes and Comments Editor
- University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota, 1983 B.A. cum laude
Bar Admissions:
- Minnesota, 1987
Professional Associations and Memberships:
- Member, 11th District Bar Association
- Member, Minnesota State Bar Association
- Past President, Duluth Trial Lawyers Association
Kay Biga
Attorney Kay Biga is a lifelong Duluthian and is very involved in the Duluth community. Kay is a Rule 114 Qualified Mediator and has worked with families and businesses to amicably resolve disputes.
Kay Biga retired as an Associate Professor of Management and Business Law at the University of Wisconsin, Superior. For twenty years she has taught courses in a variety of subjects, including business law, business ethics, real property, contracts, strategic management, and international business.
Since 1984, Kay has been the Chief Operating Officer of Biga Affiliates. Kay is known for her expertise in matters related to networking, strategic planning, and hiring and firing practices. Kay also serves as the president of the Pachel Foundation.
Kay and her co-authors Patrick and Emily Spott have recently published three papers: “How to Win Friends and Influence Students: Applying Networking Principles to the Teacher-Student Relationship” in the Journal of Higher Education Theory and Practice, “Keeping People Involved: Creating a New Model for Service Organizations” and “Smart Hiring in the Hospitality Industry: Business and Legal Perspectives” in the Journal of Management.
Clients who would like an A-Z review of their business should contact Kay Biga at Kay@SpottLaw.com. She can provide invaluable business advice for entrepreneurs.
Education:
- College of St. Scholastica, Duluth, MN, 2011, M.A.M
- Hamline University School of Law, St. Paul, MN, 1988 J.D.
- Carleton College, Northfield, MN, 1982, B.A.
- Denfeld High School, Duluth, MN, 1978
Bar Admissions:
- Minnesota, 1998
Selected Professional Associations and Memberships:
- President, Pachel Foundation
- Past Member, 11th District Ethics Committee
- Charter Member, Duluth Superior Eco Rotary
- Treasurer, Minnesota Women Lawyers Northeastern Chapter
The House
The Spott Law Office is located on the first two floors of historic 2228 East Superior Street, also known as The Stone House. A highlight of many local historical tours, the house was built in 1901 by George Chickering Stone. Mr. Stone lived in the house himself for over 15 years.
Purchased by St. Louis County in the years following The Great Depression, the house was used by the St. Louis Historical Society as a museum until the 1970s when a local firefighter purchased it and restored much of the building’s infrastructure.
With its giant foyer and drawing room featuring ornate woodwork, fireplaces and bookcases, the first floor of 2228 East Superior Street was designed for business and entertaining. Attorneys Patrick Spott and Kay Biga have resided in the house for over 30 years.
