Erica Holzer and Jevon Bindman Named 2024 Attorneys of the Year for Pro Bono Win on Behalf of Same-Sex Parents in Paternity Suit

Maslon is pleased and proud to announce that attorneys Erica Holzer and Jevon Bindman have been named 2024 Attorneys of the Year for pro bono work by Minnesota Lawyer. Erica and Jevon were recognized for their successful representation of a married same-sex couple whose child's sperm donor sued for paternity.

In 2017, William Edrington agreed to be a sperm donor for Julianna and Catherine Sheridan. He filed a paternity petition in March 2023, when the girl was 4, requesting joint legal and physical custody. He amended that petition to request an order to compel genetic testing to establish his biological paternity.

In April 2023, the Sheridans moved to dismiss Edrington’s paternity action due to lack of standing. The district court denied the motion. Erica and Jevon represented the Sheridans on the appeal of that denial.

The Minnesota Court of Appeals sided with the Sheridans in an August 2024 ruling, concluding that the Ramsey County District Court wrongly denied their motion to dismiss and that the sperm donor was precluded from bringing a paternity action for their child under Minnesota law.

The decision clarifies statutes impacting parents who use sperm and egg donors to create their families. Most important, the decision strengthens the fabric of every family that has chosen to conceive a child through assisted reproduction—a ruling of particular significance to the LGBTQ community, who have historically fought for the legitimacy of their families.

Attorney Mary Pat Byrn, who assisted in the case, was also recognized. To see a list of all award recipients, go to Minnesota Lawyer: 2024 Attorneys of the Year.

Erica is a Maslon partner and co-chair of the Appellate Group who represents clients in complex commercial disputes primarily in the areas of tort and product liability, consumer fraud, business torts, insurance coverage, and breach of contract actions.

She has argued before state and federal appellate courts and has authored, co-authored, and edited dozens of appellate briefs. She is frequently sought out to provide advice on appeals in the Eighth Circuit and the appellate courts of Minnesota, and she has co-authored several leading treatises on Minnesota law and procedure.

Jevon is a Maslon partner who works with clients in a range of industries, with a focus on assisting policyholders in insurance coverage disputes and representing stakeholders in construction and real estate matters, as well as appeals. He appears frequently before Minnesota and federal appellate courts.

Jevon has also established himself as a thought leader in the Minnesota legal community. He co-authors four volumes of the Minnesota Practice Series—the seminal treatise on Minnesota law and procedure—including the Minnesota Handbook of Courtroom Evidence and Civil Rules Annotated. Jevon is a member of the Minnesota Supreme Court Advisory Committee on the Rules of Civil Procedure, and he is active as a speaker on court rules, appellate practice, and insurance coverage.