Awards

  • 2026 40 Under 40 (Minneapolis/St. Paul Business Journal)

  • 2025 Top Women in Law (Minnesota Lawyer)

  • 2025 Top Lawyers (Minnesota Monthly)

  • 2024 Top Attorneys in Minnesota (Minnesota Monthly)

  • 2024 POWER 30- Construction & Real Estate (Minnesota Lawyer)

  • 2023 Notable Women in Law (Twin Cities Business Magazine)

  • 2023 Rising Star (Housing First Minnesota)

  • 2023 TeamWOMEN Under 40 Phenom

  • 2023 Top Woman in Construction- Professional Services (Finance and Commerce)

  • 2022 Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch (US News and World Report)

  • 2022 40 & Under Hot List (Benchmark Litigation)

  • 2020 Up and Coming Attorney (Minnesota Lawyer)

  • 2020-2025 Rising Star (Super Lawyers)

Presentations

  • 2026 CAM Roadshow Speaker (multiple locations)

  • 2024 Arrow Building Continuing Education Speaker

  • 2024 NARI Education Day Speaker

  • 2023 BRS Show- “Genius Bar” speaker

  • Housing First Minnesota Contractors University- Multiple Continuing Education presentations for contractors

  • Speaker at WINC (Women in Construction) Events

  • DWELL44- Multiple Continuing Education presentations for contractors

Education

  • University of Oklahoma College of Law- J.D.

  • University of Minnesota- B.A.

  • National Institute of Trial Advocacy

Licenses and Bar Admissions

  • Minnesota

  • District Court of Minnesota

Business advisor focused on helping contractors and entrepreneurs make smart, practical decisions and grow their businesses.

Working Style Profile

Communication Color:
Primary: Red

Secondary: Yellow

Myers-Briggs:
ESTP (The Entrepreneur)

Working Genius
Discernment and Galvanizing

Risk Tolerance

10 miles over the speed limit

Client Fit

Courtney tends to work best with business owners who want straightforward advice and practical solutions. Clients who appreciate direct communication, efficient decision-making, and impeccable instincts tend to enjoy working with her most.

Courtney Ernston

Intro

How She Works

Courtney is known for being direct, practical, and focused on solutions that make sense in the real world. She works closely with business owners to understand the operational side of their companies so legal advice can align with how decisions are actually made. She often sits in an advisory capacity to business owners from a strategic planning or development standpoint.

Compass Point

Strategic Navigator- helping business owners see the legal and business landscape clearly and chart a path forward.

 

Strengths on the Team

Within the North Star team, Courtney often serves as the strategic sounding board for complex matters. When issues become messy, high-stakes, or difficult to untangle, she helps the team pressure-test ideas, evaluate risks, and identify the path that actually makes sense for the client. Her ability to spot patterns and trust well-honed instincts, built through years of experience, often provides the gut check that guides strategy forward.

Professional

Results

  • Timberwall Landscape & Masonry Prods., Inc. v. DRMP Concrete LLC, Minnesota Court of Appeals- A19-1767

  • Smart Construction v. Dean Suchy, Minnesota Court of Appeals- A22-1524

  • All Around Property Preservation v. Ronald Clark, et. al. Minnesota Court of Appeals- A25-0339

  • Sustainable 9, LLC v. Jacqueline Coleman, et. al., Minnesota Supreme Court- A24-1548

  • Dozens of settlements in favor of construction clients

  • Numerous defense verdicts

  • Awarded Judgments and Sheriff Sales on mechanic’s lien foreclosure lawsuits

  • Obtained several Summary Judgment Orders in favor of her client for breach of contract claims

  • Successfully overturned an unfavorable jury verdict in favor of her client

Community

  • Housing First Minnesota Foundation Gala Committee Co-Chair

  • WINC (Women in Construction) Member

  • Minnesota Defense Lawyers Association – Chair of Construction Committee

  • National Women in Roofing Member

  • Contractors Association of Minnesota Member

  • Minnesota Builders Exchange Member

  • Association of Women Contractors Member