Tammera R. Diehm

Both as a lawyer and a leader, flexibility and creativity are key.

Contact: P /612.604.6658E /[email protected]

Administrative Contact: Colleen Shumaker P /612.604.6648E /[email protected]

Education

Harvard Law School Executive Leadership, Certificate in Law Firm Leadership, 2020

William Mitchell College of Law, J.D., summa cum laude, 2003

Student of Merit Award, June 2003
Assistant Editor, William Mitchell Law Review, 2002-2003
Burton Brief Award, 2001
CALI Award Negotiating and Drafting Business Agreements, 2002
First Decade Award, October 2003

Augsburg University, B.A, Political Science & Urban Studies, summa cum laude, 1993

Bar Admissions

Minnesota, 2003
U.S. District Court, D. Minn., 2010

My Approach

In my dual role of Firm President and practicing attorney, there are more similarities than differences. In both cases, whether representing the firm or our clients, my ultimate goal is to find the right path forward, making it easier and more efficient to do business. At times, this means I am discussing strategic business opportunities, while other times I am working through a thorny technical issue. More often than not, I am serving in an advisory role and finding the best person for the job at hand, whether that is me or another member of our team.

Firm President

I see my role of Firm President as that of a coach, motivating team members and helping each individual unlock his or her potential. Each person approaches their practice differently, and that approach evolves and changes over time. As I work to oversee all aspects of firm management and operations, I want to give each of our firm members the ability to build their own career, offering flexibility and support while maintaining our firm’s core values and commitment to client service. My “onboarding” as President included navigating issues no one could have predicted – a global pandemic, widespread economic uncertainty, and nationwide civil unrest – but I feel fortunate to have had such a rich training opportunity. Through it all, each individual stepped up to the challenge, responded with creativity and teamwork, and didn’t miss a beat in their ardent representation of our clients.

Legal Practice

In addition to guiding the firm as the coach, I am not afraid to roll up my sleeves and get to work alongside my teammates. My legal work includes all aspects of real estate transactions, including buying, selling, leasing, developing and financing. My day-to-day world focuses heavily on mergers and acquisitions – if it involves real property, it involves me. I have a particular interest in multi-unit real estate, especially in the downstream energy, convenience store, and franchise quick-serve restaurant industries. In my practice, the law serves as a tool to help navigate all the complicated aspects of doing business when you own or occupy real estate – complicated zoning, land use, government approvals or regulatory compliance – I sift through these issues and find practical solutions for my clients.

My work also includes governance and compliance. Whether I am representing a charitable organization or a trade association, I provide guidance on how to comply with corporate, tax and campaign finance regulations.

Practice Areas

Practicing Real Estate Development & Transactions

My Experience

I represent for-profit and non-profit businesses in complex real estate and leasing matters. I represent local and national clients of all types and sizes in real estate transactions involving multiple levels of government approvals, environmental challenges and various forms of public and private financing. I regularly appear before local governments and regulatory agencies on behalf of clients seeking land use and permitting approvals, and work with clients to find creative solutions to complex projects. I served as city attorney for a first-ring suburb for eight years, and served three terms as an elected city council member for Columbia Heights, where I live. This knowledge of both the legal and political aspects of land use and zoning issues helps me bring a fresh and creative perspective to real estate development projects.

Awards

Recommended in Real Estate

Chambers USA: America’s Leading Lawyers For Business, 2020-2023

Leaders in their Field

Real Estate
Chambers USA

The Best Lawyers in America©

Minneapolis Lawyer of the Year: Eminent Domain and Condemnation Law, 2022
Minneapolis Lawyer of the Year: Municipal Law, 2017, 2019
Municipal Law, 2010-2025
Land Use and Zoning Law, 2013-2025
Real Estate Law, 2018-2025
Eminent Domain and Condemnation Law, 2020-2025

Practicing Campaign Finance & Election Law

My Experience

Having survived three elections, and serving for twelve years, as a nonpartisan city council member, I understand, first-hand, how complex the rules surrounding campaign finance and elections can be. I also understand the importance of participation in the political process, and the importance of ensuring that participation is in compliance with federal, state and local laws.

As a result, I serve as campaign finance counsel to numerous for-profit and non-profit organizations of all sizes, as well as organizations that have affiliated 527 organizations. These local, statewide and national clients seek advice on issues ranging from formation to day-to-day operational issues, contract negotiation and tax compliance. I regularly advise clients on compliance issues including raising and spending money, issue advocacy, independent expenditures and political action committees. I also focus on risk management, conflict of interest, lobbying and corporate compliance. I have worked with both the Minnesota Campaign Finance Board and the Federal Election Commission to resolve campaign finance issues for clients and I make frequent presentations to business owners and boards of directors regarding corporate political activity.

Notably, Winthrop & Weinstine served as general counsel to the Minneapolis Saint Paul 2008 Host Committee, a non-partisan, non-profit organization that raised $170 million and entered into hundreds of contracts in connection with the 2008 Presidential convention that was held in the Twin Cities. I co-led a team that provided day-to-day support to the organization in all areas including contract administration, communication with donors, regulatory reporting and compliance issues.

Practicing Franchise Transactions

My Experience

A number of years ago, I had the privilege of working with a longtime firm client who decided to sell their multi-generational, gas and convenience store family business. While I had previously worked with the client on various real estate and environmental matters, and I had significant experience in the sale of multi-site retail locations, having the opportunity to assist in such an important and personal transaction to the family reminded me of the positive impact that our work as lawyers and advisers can have on our clients’ lives. It also taught me a great deal about the downstream energy industry.

Today, I co-lead our firm’s downstream energy practice. In this capacity, I have had the opportunity to represent numerous gas and convenience store owners and fuel distributors on matters related to supply contracts, zoning, environmental compliance, financing and employment issues. A significant portion of my work focuses on assisting clients through important transitions – buying or selling a portion of the company – which can be long and complicated, with unexpected challenges. In these situations, I find that my clients value my counsel as someone who has been through it before, and can bring depth of experience and industry expertise to what is often the most important transaction of their lives.

I know how important it is to be involved and informed in the industry, and am a member of SIGMA, MSSA and MPMA.

Representative Matters

Sale of Erickson Oil Products, and select assets of Team Investments LLC, including 64 petroleum marketing and retail convenience stores, to CrossAmerica Partners LP for $85 million.
Sale of 8 Holiday franchised gas and convenience stores to TravelCenters of America, on behalf of Stop-a-Sec, Inc. and Seck Enterprises Inc.
Sale of 13 company-operated convenience locations, five dealer and three commissioned sites and approximately 70 supply contracts on behalf of Croix Oil Company.
Acquisition on behalf of Sentinel Capital Partners of Captain D’s Seafood Kitchen, a franchisor and operator of more than 500 quick service seafood restaurants, and Grandy’s, a franchisor and operator of 50 quick service comfort food restaurants, from Centre Partners Management.
Shareholder dispute between owners of multi-site gas and convenience stores.
Negotiation of multiple license settlement agreements with municipal licensing departments related to the sale of alcohol by restaurants and gas and convenience stores.
Negotiation of lease agreements for multi-site gas, convenience and car wash owner.
Negotiation of fuel distribution agreements.

Awards

Recommended in Real Estate

Chambers USA: America’s Leading Lawyers For Business, 2020-2023

Leaders in their Field

Real Estate
Chambers USA

Also experienced in

Mergers & Acquisitions

Environmental

Alternative Dispute Resolution

Honors & Awards

Notable Women in Commercial Real Estate

Twin Cities Business, 2022

100 People to Know – Overachiever Category

Twin Cities Business, 2021

Excellence in Leadership

MNCREW, 2021

Minnesota Super Lawyers®

2015-2024
Top 50 Women, 2018, 2020

Notable Women in Law

Twin Cites Business Magazine, 2020

Recommended in Real Estate

Chambers USA: America’s Leading Lawyers For Business, 2020-2023

Recommended in Real Estate: Zoning/Land Use

Chambers USA: America’s Leading Lawyers For Business, 2022-2023

Leaders in their Field

Real Estate
Chambers USA

MSBA North Star Lawyer

Pro Bono Service, 2012-2023
All-Star Lawyer 2020

Top Women in Finance

Finance & Commerce, 2014

The Best Lawyers in America©

40 Under Forty Honoree

Minneapolis/St. Paul Business Journal, 2010

Rising Stars

Minnesota Super Lawyers®, 2007-2012

Up & Coming Attorney

Minnesota Lawyer, 2006

Top Lawyers in Minnesota

Minnesota Monthly, 2023

Associations & Memberships

American Bar Association

Fellow

Minnesota State Bar Association

Public Law Section
Real Property Section

Anoka County Bar Association

Minnesota Commercial Real Estate Women

(MNCREW)

NAIOP

(Commercial Real Estate Development Association)
Minnesota Chapter; Chair, Community Enhancement Committee, 2017-present

Minnesota Petroleum Marketers Association

National Association of Convenience Stores

Minnesota Service Station & Convenience Store Association

Society of Independent Gasoline Marketers of America

Aeon

Member, Board of Directors, 2016-2023
Chair, Board of Directors, 2019-2022

LegalCORPS

Board Member Emeritus, 2020-present
President, Board of Directors, 2013-2015
Member, Board of Directors, 2011-2020
Volunteer, 2004-present

City of Columbia Heights

City Council, 2003-2014
City Council President, 2007-2014
Appointed Commissioner, Planning and Zoning Commission, 2000-2002
Charter Commission, 1998-2002
Charter Commission President, 2000-2002
Appointed Commissioner, Economic Development Authority, 2003-2014
Housing and Redevelopment Authority, 2003-2016
Housing and Redevelopment Authority Chair, 2006-2016

Metropolitan Council Land Use Advisory Committee

Member, 2007-2014
Vice Chair, 2011-2014

Nicollet-Central Policy Advisory Committee

Member, 2012-2013

Hennepin County Bar Association

Chair, Eminent Domain Section Committee, 2017-2018
Vice Chair, Eminent Domain Section Committee, 2016-2017

Winthrop & Weinstine, P.A.

Board of Directors, 2018-present

Columbia Heights Alumni Scholarship Foundation

Board Member 2019-present

American College of Real Estate Lawyers

Elected 2021

Fellows of the American Bar Foundation

Elected 2021

Children’s Theatre Company

Board of Directors, July 2023-present

Detroit Regional Chamber

Minnesota Women’s Economic Roundtable

Member, 2023-

Bizwomen Leadership Council

Member