- Represented a general contractor in connection with a lawsuit involving a breach of a construction contract by a subcontractor. First-chaired the trial of the matter and successfully obtained a total victory for our client, including the full $2.6 million in damages, plus attorney’s fees and costs.
- Represented a long-standing non-profit affordable housing developer in Minnesota that had to bring suit against an investor limited partner in one of its developments when the partner refused to recognize its contractual right of first refusal to purchase its partner’s interest at a fixed and discounted price that would allow the affordable housing project to continue to operate. Demonstrated on summary judgment that the original contract, drafted twenty years prior, had a mutual mistake in it, which led to the court’s ultimate decision to reform the contract to allow the non-profit to buy the property at the lower cost and continue to operate the senior home.
- Represented an affordable housing developer involved in a complicated “year 15 exit dispute” involving an affordable housing project. The dispute arose after the investor limited partner fully exhausted the tax credits available to the partnership and sought to exit the partnership with a forced sale of the project by unreasonably withholding consent to refinance project debt. Successfully obtained an injunction and court order that allowed our clients to refinance the project debt without the investor limited partner’s consent and prohibited the investor limited partner from involuntarily removing our client from the partnership.
- Represented a large, national affordable housing developer, in a “year 15 exit dispute” involving an investor limited partner’s refusal to consent to a refinance of project debt. The refinance was needed to avoid the Partnership’s default on its long-term debt financing obligations that were scheduled to mature, but the investor limited partner was refusing consent for the refinance and demanding to be paid the return of its invested amount in exchange for exiting the partnership to nullify the need for its consent. Successfully obtained a summary judgment order finding that the investor limited partner had unreasonably and unlawfully withheld consent to refinance as a means to obtain rights that it otherwise did not have (i.e., a forced buy-out of its interests).
- Represented an owner in a dispute with its general contractor relating to the construction of a nearly half-million square foot facility. Successfully demonstrated through arbitration that the general contractor had breached the construction agreement.
- Represented a large retailer in defense of claims by a shopping center owner and tenant seeking to enforce restrictive-use covenants contained in a Reciprocal Easement Agreement. Successfully obtained a favorable settlement prior to trial of the matter.
My Approach
Every client, every business, every case is different, and the same approach is not right for every matter. I strive to find the best approach for the unique issues of each case so that I can provide the greatest value to my clients. Litigation may be adversarial, but it does not have to be a zero-sum game; there is usually a business solution and I work to be creative and achieve the best outcomes for my clients. To me, “winning” means finding the best, most efficient solution. I am committed to my clients and am invested in solving problems and getting them back to their business.
I focus my practice on real estate litigation and construction law. A large portion of my real estate litigation practice involves resolving the unique issues that can arise in connection with low-income housing tax credit developments. Over the past decade, there has been an increase in disputes between partners arising near the end of the 15-year tax credit compliance period, which are complicated disputes requiring specialized knowledge of the low income housing tax credit industry. I have represented a number of general partners, successfully protecting their contractual rights and preserving affordable housing for the future. In addition, my real estate practice also includes lease disputes, contract enforcement, and quiet title actions.
In my construction law practice, I handle contract disputes, construction defect and warranty matters, employment-related issues, mechanic’s liens, and insurance coverage disputes. In addition, I review and counsel my clients on their various contracts, including residential and commercial construction contracts.
My litigation experience also includes shareholder and limited partner disputes, receiverships, banking and securities law litigation, and general commercial contract matters. I have worked with a variety of industries, including construction, affordable housing, banking, and energy, among others.
In addition to my litigation practice, I have handled a number of pro bono matters over the past several years. I work with the Volunteer Lawyers Network’s Housing Court Clinic, assisting individuals with landlord-tenant and eviction issues. In addition, stemming from my work with the Government Benefits Division of the Legal Aid Society of Minneapolis while in law school, I have successfully represented individuals who were denied Medical Assistance and Social Security Disability benefits, and also assisted an individual in receiving a full pardon for a non-violent crime committed in his youth.
Advancing and supporting women in the legal profession is very important to me, and I work within the firm to mentor junior lawyers and coordinate our women’s group. I also serve on the firm’s Recruiting Committee and the Attorney Professional Development Committee. Outside the firm, I am a member of Minnesota Women Lawyers.
When I’m not working, I enjoy spending time with my husband and two kids, getting outdoors, hiking and enjoying nature. I also love to bake and when I can’t get outside, I am usually baking something delicious.
Practice Areas
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Construction & Real Estate Litigation
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Business & Commercial Litigation
Bold Perspectives
Event
Year 15 Exit Planning and Strategy in Today’s Environment
05.09.23
Event
Avoiding Disputes, Winning Disputes & Construction Finance
01.25.23
Honors & Awards
The Best Lawyers in America©
Litigation – Real Estate, 2023
Up & Coming Attorney
Minnesota Lawyer, 2016
Rising Stars
Minnesota Super Lawyers®, 2017
Real Estate Lawyer of the Year
Minnesota RE Journal, 2023
Associations & Memberships
Women's Affordable Housing Network
Minnesota Chapter of Women’s Affordable Housing Network
Founding Member