Jon Duckstad is sole practitioner in his own law firm and also works part time as a state public defender focusing his services on clients with mental illness and chemical dependency. He assists this clients at commitment hearings and other court proceedings. For his service, he received the 2004 William Mitchell Distinguished Alumnus Award.

Prior to going into private practice, he worked as a city attorney for St. Paul. Duckstad received his bachelor´s degree from Luther College in Iowa and his law degree from William Mitchell.