O'Brien & Wolf, LLP v. S. Cent. Minn. Elec. Workers' Family Health Plan

ANALYSIS

I

We first clarify what this appeal is not about. It is not about whether the district court correctly decided that ERISA does not preempt O'Brien & Wolf's attorney-lien petition. "Well established in this state's jurisprudence is the precept that the court will decide only actual controversies." In re Schmidt , 443 N.W.2d 824, 826 (Minn. 1989). If we cannot grant relief on an issue purportedly raised on appeal, the issue is moot, and we will neither decide the issue ostensibly to establish precedent nor release an advisory opinion. Id. Although O'Brien & Wolf's first proffered legal…