Catherine "Trina" L. Sjoberg
Knowing when to sweat the small stuff – and when not to – gets deals across the finish line.
Contact: P /612.604.6688E /[email protected]
Administrative Contact: Julie Moyer P /612.604.6582E /[email protected]
Education
University of Denver Sturm College of Law, J.D., Order of St. Ives
University of St. Thomas, B.A., cum laude, Business Administration
Bar Admissions
Minnesota
My Approach
Over my career, through all the variety of types and complexity of deals I have worked on, the thing that keeps me going is the satisfaction I get from helping to bring people together to accomplish deals that make sense for each and further their business goals. I always take a pragmatic approach by considering what’s market and the business goals of both sides, to make sure we’re advancing the deal, not obstructing it. Because I have seen so many transactions – including ways they can go wrong – I am able to help steer my clients around any potential issues with efficiency toward closing.
Some of my favorite projects are the development deals – I appreciate working with clients who are entrepreneurial and creative, who can look at vacant land or a dilapidated building and consider the future it could have, and then use the depth of my experience to help make it a reality.
Outside of work, I enjoy spending time on the lakes up north with my family, cooking and entertaining with friends, and yoga. I’ve also been learning to play golf … for several decades.
A Groundbreaking Moment in My Career
Going into law school, I envisioned myself doing corporate work, rather than real estate. But after I graduated, I got hired by a small firm in Denver, and the first transaction that I worked on was the Denver Broncos’ new stadium. I got to work on so many real estate issues in that one project – development issues, financing issues, leasing and subleasing concerns, concession agreements, and more. I had a wonderful mentor who made sure I attended all the meetings, big conferences with firms from the East Coast and Chicago, and then had the trust in me to get it done, despite the vertical learning curve – and I have been hooked on real estate development and transactions ever since.
Practice Areas
Practicing Real Estate Development & Transactions
My Experience
I represent developers, owners, operators, investors and lenders in a broad range of real estate matters, including the sale, acquisition, financing and development of real estate. My practice includes guiding the development of residential, commercial and mixed-use projects, including senior housing cooperatives. I also have extensive experience in office, healthcare real estate, retail, industrial and stadium lease matters. In addition, I provide advice and counsel to lenders in construction, real estate and asset-based financing and to general contractors and architects in construction contracts and architectural agreements.
Representative Matters
- Represent developer in the development and financing of senior housing cooperatives in the Minneapolis-Saint Paul metropolitan area.
- Represent owner-operator in the acquisition of senior housing complex in southern Minnesota.
- Represent owner-operator in the expansion of senior housing community in Northfield, Minnesota.
- Represent developer of nonresidential common interest community in Medina, Minnesota.
- Represented developer in development and construction of multifamily residential complex in Rochester, Minnesota.
- Represented corporate owner in acquisition, development and construction of industrial facility in Faribault, Minnesota.
- Represented corporate owner in acquisition, development and construction of industrial facility in Owatonna, Minnesota.
- Represented corporate owner in acquisition of industrial facility in Wilmington, Ohio.
- Represented clinical group in negotiation of a healthcare real estate lease for clinic in Burnsville, Minnesota.
- Represented clinical group in negotiation of a healthcare real estate lease for clinic in Edina, Minnesota.
- Represented academic medical center faculty practice group in negotiation of a healthcare real estate lease for clinic in Woodbury, Minnesota.
- Represented surgical group in negotiation of a healthcare real estate lease for space in Edina, Minnesota.
- Represented academic medical center faculty practice group in development, construction, leasing and operation of ambulatory care clinic in Minneapolis, Minnesota.
- Represented health care system in the acquisition of clinic facilities in St. Cloud, Minnesota.
- Represented the developer in the acquisition, financing, construction and leasing of a multi-tenant retail development in Saint Paul, Minnesota.
- Represented the developer in the renovation of a 60,000-square-foot commercial building in northeast Minneapolis, Minnesota, including the acquisition, financing, redevelopment and leasing of the building.
- Represented the developer in the financing and leasing of a 41,000-square-foot retail and office development in south Minneapolis, Minnesota.
- Represented developer in construction and permanent financing, and related workouts, for office/retail project consisting of over 230,000 square feet.
Awards
Best Lawyers in America®
Real Estate Law, 2018-2025
Honors & Awards
Best Lawyers in America®
Real Estate Law, 2018-2025
Minnesota Lawyer
POWER 30 Real Estate and Construction, 2023, 2024
MSBA North Star Lawyer
Pro Bono Service, 2021
Minnesota Super Lawyers®
Rising Star, 2011
Associations & Memberships
MSBA Real Property Law Specialist Certification
Board Member, 2016-present
Minnesota Commercial Real Estate Women
Member and past Board Member, 2007-present
NAIOP
Member
Member, Public Policy Committee
Hennepin County Bar Association
Past Chairperson, Real Property Section
Past Member, Board of Directors