We are committed to providing timely, effective and efficient service for our clients. We take pride in doing good work and achieving our clients’ objectives.
The Streater & Murphy law firm was established in 1949, when Harold S. “Rip” Streater and Leo F. “Bud” Murphy, Jr. formed a partnership. Both were Winona natives who returned to their home city after law school and service in WW II. They developed a successful general practice and a firm tradition of community and professional service.
Rip Streater was a skilled and creative business and estate lawyer who advised many of the area’s leading businesses and families. He also served as Winona’s City Attorney, chaired the community hospital board and was instrumental in organizing an industrial development association, a state university foundation, and several other charitable organizations. He retired after 63 years of active practice and died in 2011.
Bud Murphy, the son of a Winona judge, quietly and efficiently served clients in business, real estate, probate and civil trial matters. His clients included two private universities, a church diocese and other civic and religious organizations. He was also a member and director of local charities. He died while actively practicing law.
Current Attorneys
We are dedicated to public service and devote substantial time and energy to pro bono representation of individuals and nonprofit entities. Our lawyers participate in and lead professional and community organizations, and they and the firm have been recognized for such service.
We are proud of the work, achievements, and public service of our lawyers at Streater & Murphy, P.A. We are committed to providing quality service to clients and to maintaining the highest professional standards.
We regularly participate in continuing legal education and we seek to improve the courts and lawyers through professional organizations. We contribute services to community organizations and provide pro bono representation to the indigent.
Lee Ann Riehle, a Wisconsin native, joined the firm in 1995, after a judicial clerkship with District Judge, Daniel Kammeyer.
Retired Attorneys
Kent Gernander, a Duluth native, joined the firm after service in the Navy JAG Corps and employment with a large St. Paul firm. Kent retired in 2012.
Jim Forsythe, originally from Northeast Minneapolis, joined the firm after a judicial clerkship with District Judge (later Supreme Court Justice) Glenn Kelley and private practice with another small firm. Jim retired in 2015.
Cindy Telstad, a Winona native, followed training and work in nursing with legal education and judicial clerkships with Court of Appeals Judge Susanne Sedgwick and District Judge Lawrence Collins. Cindy retired in 2022.