Joshua M. Heggem

Josh Heggem, partner at Pemberton Law in Fergus Falls, is a recognized expert in the practice of Labor and Employment Law, which has been a major concentration of his work for more than fourteen years and currently makes up 90 percent of his practice representing and advising public and private employers. Workplace investigations have been a significant niche within his practice, and he has completed well over 150 investigations and presently conducts at least two per month. He also has a great deal of experience handling labor negotiations on behalf of employers, conducting workplace trainings, and advising employers on the myriad of issues they encounter on a daily basis, including contract issues, medical leaves, wage and hour, workplace misconduct, and employee separation issues.

Because of his experience and expertise, Josh has been certified by the Minnesota State Bar Association (MSBA) as a Labor and Employment Law Specialist. Fewer than two percent of attorneys in Minnesota hold this credential.

Josh has also been certified by the Minnesota Society for Human Resource Management (MNSHRM) and the HR Certification Institute (HRCI) to teach courses on workplace investigations for continuing education credits.

Josh is a member of the firm’s Employment and Labor Law practice group and is licensed to practice in both Minnesota and North Dakota. Minnesota Law and Politics Magazine recognized Josh Heggem as a Minnesota Rising Star in the legal field every single year from 2015 through 2022.

On several occasions over the past decade, the Minnesota State Bar Association has selected Josh to teach both on-line and in-person courses for CLE (continuing legal education) credits to other lawyers throughout the state, a recognition that he truly is an expert in the field.  For example, in 2018, he taught an online course titled Sexual Harassment, Offensive Behavior and Discrimination in the Workplace. He has also given workplace investigation presentations to public and private entities throughout Minnesota and has taught college courses on the subject for HR renewal credits.

Josh grew up in Aitkin, Minnesota and graduated magna cum laude from Gustavus Adolphus College with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Financial Economics and a minor in Political Science.  He received his Juris Doctorate from the University of Minnesota Law School, graduating cum laude.

Josh is a Past President of the Otter Tail County Bar Association and also Past President for the Seventh Judicial District Bar Association.  He also volunteers his time as the attorney coach of the Battle Lake High School Mock Trial Team, assisting his wife, Shauna, who is the head coach.

Outside of the office, Josh enjoys golfing, wakeboarding, snowboarding, hunting, fishing, and traveling. He also holds an interest in music and theatre and was involved in both while at Gustavus and during law school.  Josh currently resides in the Battle Lake area with his wife and three children.