About Aldercrest Law

Our Story

Aldercrest Law was founded in 2013 by Margaret R. Holm, who spent the first decade of her career at two of Minnesota's largest law firms. During that time she handled complex estate plans, high-value real estate closings, and multi-party probate disputes — work she loved, at a pace and scale that left little room for the kind of client relationships she valued most.

When she opened the doors of Aldercrest Law in a small office on West Seventh Street, the idea was simple: apply big-firm skill with small-firm service. Word traveled quickly. Within three years, David Chen Olafsson joined the practice, bringing a sharp business and employment law background. In 2023 Sara T. Nguyen came aboard, adding depth in family law and appellate advocacy.

Today the firm operates from the Jackson Square Professional Building in downtown Saint Paul, within walking distance of the Ramsey County Courthouse and the Minnesota State Capitol. We remain a three-attorney practice by design — not because we couldn't grow, but because this size allows every client to work directly with their attorney from intake to resolution.

Our Approach

We subscribe to a philosophy we call "counsel, not just representation." That means we don't just file your paperwork and show up in court. We take the time to understand the full picture — your goals, your concerns, your constraints — and then develop a strategy that accounts for all of it.

In practice, this looks like:

• Responsive communication. Every phone call and email gets a substantive response within one business day. We know few things are more frustrating than a lawyer who goes silent.
• Transparent billing. We discuss fees at the outset, provide detailed invoices, and flag potential cost increases before they happen. Most estate planning matters are offered at flat-fee rates.
• Pragmatic strategy. We litigate when it's necessary and negotiate when it's smart. Not every dispute needs a courtroom — some are best resolved with a well-timed phone call and a clear demand letter.
• Community roots. We live in the Twin Cities. We know the local judges, the county procedures, and the neighborhoods our clients call home. That familiarity translates into practical advantage.

Community Involvement

Aldercrest Law is a sustaining member of the Ramsey County Bar Association and the Minnesota State Bar Association. Our attorneys volunteer with Southern Minnesota Regional Legal Services (SMRLS) and the Volunteer Lawyers Network, providing pro bono representation in family law and housing matters.

Margaret serves on the board of the Cathedral Hill Neighborhood Association. David teaches a small-business legal clinic through SCORE Minnesota each quarter. Sara mentors law students through the University of Minnesota Law School's Practice Group program.

How We're Different

"I left big-firm practice because I kept seeing the same problem: brilliant legal work that missed the point because nobody asked the client what they actually needed. At Aldercrest, asking is where we start." — Margaret R. Holm

If you're looking for a firm that will invest the time to understand your situation and deliver clear-eyed advice, we'd welcome the opportunity to talk. Contact us for a free initial consultation.