Meet Your Attorneys in Austin, MN

Paul V. Sween

psween@adamsrizzisween.com

Paul V. Sween joined the firm in 1972 and has more than 45 years of legal experience in a general law firm setting. He is an expert in agricultural law, corporate and business law, real estate transactions, banking law, and trusts and estates. Paul gained this knowledge not only through his law practice but also through his personal involvement in the dairy and hog industry and his real estate development in Mower County. 

In addition to his practice, Paul has been active in Westminster Presbyterian Church, chairman of the building fund drive, and has served on the Board of Elders. Paul was one of the founders of Pheasants and Habitat of Southeast Minnesota and was the Mower County Chairman for Ducks Unlimited for twenty years. Paul has been active in many community affairs and is a past president of the Austin Chamber of Commerce.

Steven T. Rizzi, Jr. 

srizzi@adamsrizzisween.com

Steven T. Rizzi, Jr. joined the Adams, Rizzi & Sween. P.A. firm in 1983. Steve is a general practitioner who works in several areas: school law, labor law, employment law, business and corporate law, estate planning, and real estate law.

He has experience in several matters, including contract drafting and disputes, employee matters (employee relations, employment issues, labor negotiations, wrongful issues, labor negotiations, wrongful discharge), estate planning (wills, trusts, powers of attorney), government data practice questions and compliance, public bodies, and public meetings, incorporation, limited liability companies, sales and acquisitions, collective bargaining, and contracts. 

Steve is active in many professional and civic activities. He currently serves as Secretary for The Hormel Foundation Board of Directors. Previously, Steve served on the Board of Directors of the Minnesota School Boards Association Council of School Attorneys and twice served as the Council's Chair. Steve's teaching experience before attending law school gives him a unique perspective on school law. 

In addition, Steve is Past President of the following organizations: Austin Area Chamber of Commerce, Austin Early Risers Kiwanis Club, Minnesota Riverland Technical Foundation, Austin Public Education Foundation, Inc., Parenting Resource Center Board of Directors, and Mower County Bar Association. Steve is also a graduate of the Blandin Community Leadership program.

Dean K. Adams

dadams@adamsrizzisween.com

Dean K. Adams joined the Adams, Rizzi & Sween P.A. firm in 1990. Dean is a general practitioner who works in several areas, including workers' compensation, personal injury, civil litigation, family law, and real estate.

Dean is active in many professional and civic activities. He is the Past President of the Mower County Bar Association, Austin Noon Lion's Club, Austin Public Education Foundation, and the Parenting Resource Center.

He has also served on the boards of directors of numerous organizations in Mower County.

Adam J. Houck

ahouck@adamsrizzisween.com

Adam J. Houck joined the firm in 2012. Adam is a general practitioner who mainly practices business and corporate law, labor and employment, estate planning, real estate, civil litigation, criminal defense, and probate. Adam also has legal experience at the National Labor Relations Board, Hennepin County District Court, and the Neighborhood Justice Center in St. Paul, Minnesota.

Adam is very active in the Austin community. He has served on the boards of several organizations, including the Austin Jaycees, Salvation Army, Noon Kiwanis, Austin Area Chamber of Commerce, and the Hormel Historic Home.

Emily G. Toland 

etoland@adamsrizzisween.com

Emily G. Toland is licensed in both Minnesota and Wisconsin and focuses her practice on estate planning, probate and trust administration, real estate, family law, and elder law. Emily regularly presents seminars to both local and national audiences. She received her juris doctorate, with honors, from Marquette University Law School. Prior to law school, Emily spent nearly a decade working in the Wisconsin State Legislature.

Emily enjoys giving back to the community and to the legal profession. She is the incoming Board-Chair of the Austin Area Foundation and a member of the Austin Rotary Club. Emily also serves as a Mentor for the Mower County CEO Program, along with volunteering for the planning committee of the annual Albert Lea/Austin Walk to End Alzheimer’s and providing pro-bono legal services to first responders through the Wills for Heroes Foundation. Emily is also active in the Westminster Presbyterian Church, where she serves on the Board of Elders and as a member the Personnel and Finance Committee.

In 2024, Emily was honored with the distinction of “Best Individual Lawyer” in the Austin Daily Herald’s Best of Mower County Awards. She lives in Austin with her family and two dogs.