I grew up in my family’s real estate development business. I learned from the best – my dad. I spent the first decade of my career developing multifamily and mixed use projects, and experiencing the challenges and learning the lessons of the business. I now bring that experience to my practice at Winthrop.
My Approach
I work with my real estate development clients as partners, providing practical advice from the inception of a project through closing. With a focus on the development of affordable housing, I facilitate the entitlement process, structure financing, coordinate with partners and investors, and ultimately advocate for the best outcomes for my clients and their projects. It really is a privilege to contribute to the construction and rehabilitation of well-planned and thoughtful housing developments – communities experience real, tangible benefits and more families have a decent place to live.
Because I got my start on the business side of real estate development, I understand what it means to be on the other side of the desk – what it feels like when you don’t get a project approved or closed, and what it feels like when you do. These experiences motivate me. They give me insight and allow me to work more closely with my clients to understand their goals and concerns, and craft creative solutions for them.
Outside of my law practice, I am the Board Chair of the Minnesota Housing Partnership, a non-profit organization of community leaders working to expand access to affordable housing through research, public policy and capacity building in Minnesota and nationally. I also own a specialty real estate business with my family, focusing on renovations of historic buildings.
A Groundbreaking Moment in My Career
Practice Areas
Bold Perspectives
11th Annual Affordable Housing Summit
05.09.24
Erin Mathern Receives Outstanding Advocate Award
12.13.23
10th Annual Affordable Housing Summit
05.09.23
Honors & Awards
Best Lawyers in America®
Real Estate Law, 2022-2025
Minnesota Lawyer
Top Women in Law, 2024
Notable Woman in Law
Twin Cities Business, 2022
40 Under Forty Honoree
Minneapolis/St. Paul Business Journal, 2015
Award of Recognition for Adaptive Reuse of 333 Maiden Lane, Saint Paul
Saint Paul Heritage Preservation Commission and Saint Paul Chapter of the American Association of Architects
Outstanding Advocate Award
Minnesota Housing Partnership, 2023
MSBA North Star Lawyer
Pro Bono Service, 2023
Associations & Memberships
Minnesota Housing Partnership
Chair, Board of Directors, 2020
NAIOP
(Commercial Real Estate Development Association)
Volunteer Lawyer’s Network
University of St. Thomas School of Law
Guest Judge/Lecturer
Minnesota Women Lawyers
Minnesota Commercial Real Estate Women
(MNCREW)
Minnesota Urban Debate League
Advisory Board Member
Winthrop & Weinstine
Member, Board of Directors
Member, Recruiting Committee
Co-chair, Summer Associate Program