I take on every client’s problems as my own.
Contact: P /612.604.6653E /[email protected]
Administrative Contact: Mary Kay Booth P /612.604.6315E /[email protected]
Education
University of Minnesota Law School, J.D., magna cum laude, 1982
University of Notre Dame, B.B.A., highest honors, 1979
Bar Admissions
Minnesota, 1982
Entering into a business transaction is like entering into a relationship, and like all relationships, to be successful it demands attention, understanding of the goals of both parties, communication, hard work and careful assessment that it is the right fit. I see my role as helping clients build and strengthen their business relationships, solving problems when they arise. I act as a counselor and advisor, having seen a wide range of deals in over 30 years of practice. As a result, I help clients ask the right questions, think through and evaluate their business opportunities. There are many lawyers who can get deals done, but fewer who truly care about the whole business, and are willing to think hard, focus on the most difficult problems, and help clients accomplish their goals.
I partner with my clients as a member of their team, and I also rely on the team I have built in the firm – we all work together toward the end goal of success for our clients.
When I’m not at work, I love spending time at my cabin, walleye fishing and playing golf with family and friends.
I have been practicing in the areas of mergers and acquisitions, corporate finance, multi-unit franchise transactions and corporate law for more than 30 years. Much of my practice focuses on helping clients buy and sell businesses, large and small, in a wide variety of industries, including construction, distribution, software sales and licensing, manufacturing, real estate, and quick service restaurants (QSRs). I also have represented a large number of new and emerging closely held businesses, applying my entrepreneurial spirit, financial and accounting experience to the benefit of my clients. I am proud to say that I have counseled many entrepreneurs on the organization, financing and development of their closely held businesses, helping them convert business opportunities into reality.
Chambers USA: America’s Leading Lawyers For Business, 2011-2023
M&A Transactions
Chambers USA
In addition to my work in the M&A field, I lead the firm’s franchise legal team, and have been representing franchisees of national and international brands for more than 25 years. Multi-unit franchise clients rely heavily on me to advise on the most important aspects of complex purchase, sale and financing transactions. My financial and accounting background serves my clients particularly well on M&A and financing transactions; in the last ten years I have been the principal attorney on more than 100 multi-unit QSR acquisitions, sales and financings throughout the United States.
Chambers USA: America’s Leading Lawyers For Business, 2011-2023
Franchise Law, 2020-2025
Chambers USA: America’s Leading Lawyers For Business, 2011-2023
Minnesota Lawyer, 2021
M&A Transactions
Chambers USA
LexisNexis Martindale-Hubbell, Peer review ratings
(formerly Minnesota Law & Politics)
1994-2019
Top 40 Vote-Getters for Minnesota Super Lawyers®, 2002
Corporate Law, 2019-2025br>Franchise Law 2020-2025
Minnesota Monthly, 2024