Ronald I. Meshbesher (May 18, 1933[1] – June 13, 2018) was an American lawyer and the founder and president of the Minnesota law firm Meshbesher & Spence.[2]
Upon graduating from the University of Minnesota Law School, Meshbesher began practicing law at the age of 24 in the Hennepin County Attorney's Office as a prosecutor, where he tried 45 felony cases in his first three years with a 92% conviction rate. He founded the law firm of Meshbesher & Spence in 1961. The Minneapolis Star Tribune called him "a dean of the Minnesota criminal-defense bar for 45 years".[3]
In 1992 Mr. Meshbesher wrote the Trial Handbook for Minnesota Lawyers.[4] He also founded or served as president or vice president of numerous legal associations, including the Minnesota Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers (1984–85)[5] and the American Board of Criminal Lawyers.[6]
The Joel and Ethan Coen film A Serious Man shot a scene at Meshbesher's Minneapolis law office and mentions "Ron Meshbesher" as an attorney in the film.[7]