Brent E. Routman of Merchant & Gould was selected by the editors of Minnesota Lawyer as an Attorney of the Year for 2004. Routman, a practicing intellectual property attorney and Merchant & Gould's chief operating officer, is one of 15 attorneys across the state to receive this distinction.

Routman is being recognized in particular for his accomplishments as the president of the Hennepin County Bar Association where he has implemented numerous initiatives to both help members of the bar to be better lawyers and to integrate members into community-based causes and issues. He has created a program through the bar to assist non-profits, and was instrumental in the formation of the Council of Minnesota Bar Leaders.

Candidates are selected as Attorneys of the Year based on a variety of criteria, including rising to a position of leadership, procuring a successful result in a case, participating in newsworthy events in the legal community, performance of significant service to the profession or the general public and/or achieving excellence in providing in-house counsel services, according to Minnesota Lawyer.

"It is an honor to be recognized with such highly respected attorneys," said Routman. "I am pleased that my work with the Hennepin County Bar Association is being recognized by the legal community in such a significant way."

"Brent has contributed significantly to the success of our firm, and to the legal community in Minnesota as a whole," said Randy King, CEO and managing director of Merchant & Gould. "Our firm congratulates him on this well-deserved recognition."

The 15 Attorneys of the Year will be honored at an awards dinner on Thursday, February 17 at the Hyatt Regency in Minneapolis.