Rooted in family tradition and built upon generations of hard work and entrepreneurship, Sycamore Law is a reflection of attorney Benjamin Scheel’s belief that lasting success begins with strong values. Long before choosing his career path, Scheel’s parents recognized a seemingly innate talent for presenting well thought-out arguments, convincing enough that the young boy frequently changed their minds.
It was in his second year as an undergraduate that Scheel chose law. “I actually intended to become a police officer,” he says. “Unfortunately, it was during a period when a lot of the police officers were getting shot, pensions were cut, and the general civil unrest convinced me to go a different route.
“I have always been a bookworm, so decided to take a legal research and writing class just to try it out, and I immediately fell in love.”
Unlike many of his peers, Scheel deliberately opted not to launch his own firm immediately.
“Coming out of law school, I knew nothing about the actual practice of law,” he says. “They teach you how to read and write like a lawyer, but until you’re actually practicing law, you don’t know how to be a lawyer. After working at other firms for five years, I felt ready to do it on my own.”
Taking advantage of this time, Scheel deliberately sought experience across multiple areas of law. His legal journey included criminal defense, felony prosecution, insurance defense, business litigation, construction-related disputes, personal injury matters, and trust and estate litigation. The broad exposure instilled a versatile skillset and a practical understanding of how different areas of law intersect.
“I’m glad I waited,” he adds. “It was my wife who pushed me past the finish line. Too frequently she saw me coming home unhappy. She said, ‘You know it’s time; do you want to find another firm or do you want to open your own?’”
Scheel is quick to give credit to his wife, Marissa, not only for that nudge, but for the significant contributions she makes as the firm’s operations director and a true partner. She has played a significant role in the firm’s rapid growth.
“She encourages and motivates me to better myself, to better our family,” says Scheel. “She’s sacrificed a lot too. I’m amazed at how much she manages to juggle.
“We opened at the beginning of the year and are expanding rapidly. I’ve brought on my first paralegal, Eric Blackwelder, who’s taking the bar in July and will become the first attorney we hire.”
One thing that’s immediately apparent is how everything centers around family, beginning with the name. Scheel’s grandfather built the family home on Sycamore Street in Stillwater, Minnesota, with his own hands, and the property remains a cherished family landmark. Today, Scheel and his wife are raising their own children in that same home.
“My grandparents were always there for me” he says. “The firm is named Sycamore Law as a tribute to them.”
Entrepreneurship also runs deep within the family; Scheel grew up watching his father operate a successful catering and event business, which shaped his own independent spirit. “Stillwater Event Center and Scheel’s Catering are truly family operations,” says Scheel. “All four siblings and my mom help cater and run events and, to this day, I help the business by running the bar and bartending events.”
Sycamore Law is a boutique practice, which Scheel views as a strength and an important distinction. Serving clients in Minnesota, Wisconsin, and North Dakota, Scheel works directly with them, providing regular updates, and offering a transparent billing structure designed to ensure fairness and accountability.
At the heart of it all is a simple philosophy: helping people navigate some of life’s most difficult challenges.
“People come to me because they don’t know what to do,” Scheel says. “The most rewarding part of my job is helping them through it.”
Sycamore Law, PLLC
8530 Eagle Point Blvd. Suite 100
Lake Elmo, MN 55042
651-551-2159
sycamorelawpllc.com
