Aram V. Desteian

Aram V. Desteian is a shareholder and general counsel at Bassford Remele in Minneapolis, Minnesota. His practice focuses on complex commercial litigation, professional liability, legal ethics, and risk management for law firms and lawyers. Desteian represents businesses in a broad range of disputes and advises attorneys facing malpractice claims, disciplinary investigations, board proceedings, and professional responsibility issues. He also counsels firms on ethics and risk management before problems develop into formal disputes.

Desteian earned his J.D. magna cum laude from William Mitchell College of Law in 2014 and his B.A. cum laude from St. Olaf College in 2005. In law school, he received a merit scholarship and several CALI awards, including honors in professional responsibility. He also served as a judicial extern to Judge Regina M. Chu in Minnesota’s Fourth Judicial District. His academic and judicial experience supports a practice centered on careful analysis, advocacy, and professional responsibility.

Desteian’s work includes commercial disputes, class actions, complex litigation, cybersecurity and artificial intelligence issues, data privacy, and professional liability matters. He regularly helps lawyers and law firms respond to malpractice lawsuits, ethics complaints, investigations, and hearings. He also writes and speaks on legal ethics, attorney-client privilege, law firm cybersecurity, generative AI, and professional responsibility, helping legal professionals understand emerging risks and evolving ethical obligations.

Aram V. Desteian chairs the Minnesota State Bar Association Professionalism & Ethics Section and serves as Bassford Remele’s general counsel. He is also active with the Professional Liability Defense Federation and Association of Professional Responsibility Lawyers. His recognitions include selection to The Best Lawyers in America for Commercial Litigation in 2026, Minnesota Super Lawyers in 2025, and Minnesota Monthly’s Top Lawyer list. His practice combines litigation experience with practical ethics and risk-management counseling for businesses, attorneys, and law firms.

Law Office Affiliations

• Shareholder, Bassford Remele
• Member, American Bar Association
• Member, Minnesota State Bar Association, Professionalism & Ethics Section
• Member, Hennepin County Bar Association
• Vice Chair, Professional Liability Defense Federation
• Member, Association of Professional Responsibility Lawyers

Licensed State

• Minnesota

Education

• William Mitchell College of Law
  Juris Doctor (JD)
• St. Olaf College
  Bachelor of Arts (BA)

Awards & Badges