Winthrop & Weinstine, P.A., Grows Regulatory & Government Relations Practice

Joseph Bagnoli and Andrea Rau Join the Firm’s Robust Team

MINNEAPOLIS — January 27, 2020. Winthrop & Weinstine, P.A., is pleased to announce that Joseph Bagnoli, Shareholder, and Andrea Rau, Government Relations Manager, have joined the Regulatory & Government Relations Group as part of the Advocacy & Lobbying practice. The addition of these two deeply experienced members of the community will add even more support for the firm’s clients at the Legislature and throughout all levels of government.

“We are thrilled to have Joe and Andrea join our team,” said Tom Hanson, co-chair of the Advocacy & Lobbying practice. “Their reputation and expertise in dealing with matters of state and municipal government will only enhance our ability to serve our clients.”

“Adding Joe and Andrea to our team builds on our commitment to provide our clients with high-quality advocacy at the Capitol and beyond,” said John Reich, co-chair of the Advocacy & Lobbying practice. “We will continue to shape our lobbying team at Winthrop with a strong client-focused approach.”

Joseph Bagnoli is an attorney whose practice consists primarily of representing clients before the Minnesota Legislature, state administrative agencies, and before local government. He earned his J.D. from William Mitchell College of Law with cum laude honors in 1993. Early in his career, he worked on the re-election campaign for President Bill Clinton, and he served as a Senior Policy Advisor to Minnesota Governor Jesse Ventura, with responsibility for transportation, energy and telecommunications, environment, economic development, and tax policy. In his legal practice, he has focused on government relations with a particular background in local government, real estate and bonding, and has been a shareholder since 2005.

Andrea Rau has 20 years of lobbying experience. She has extensive knowledge of leading public policy agendas, including drafting legislation, educating legislators and staff, and ushering legislation through the legislative process. This includes finding authors, securing hearings and floor votes, testifying, and using her understanding of the legislative process to benefit her client, using innovative strategies when needed. She is skilled at coalition building, bill tracking, and issue advocacy.

About Regulatory & Government Relations at Winthrop

Winthrop & Weinstine provides creative solutions and ardent advocacy to guide clients through the complex legislative and regulatory processes and help keep moving their businesses forward. We approach government affairs from both the legislative and the regulatory side, understanding that each informs and supports the other. We combine our long-standing relationships and bold strategies to find the solutions that are right for your business, including in heavily regulated industries such as health care, insurance, energy, telecommunications, real estate, and others. Learn more at https://winthrop.com/our-services/regulatory-government-relations.

Winthrop & Weinstine, P.A., Announces New Board of Directors

MINNEAPOLIS — January 15, 2020. Winthrop & Weinstine, P.A., is pleased to announce that Todd Urness has been re-elected to the Board of Directors, and Jeffrey Ansel has been elected to the Board. Members of the Winthrop & Weinstine’s Board of Directors each serve a three-year term, with elections occurring on a rolling basis. The Board members for 2020 are:

Scott Dongoske, President
David Aafedt
Jeffrey Ansel
Tammera Diehm
Jon Hoganson
John Stern
Todd Urness
Dean Willer

Jeffrey Ansel’s practice over the years has touched many areas, from securities fraud defense to real estate and title insurance disputes. He has represented financial institutions and their officers and directors in matters involving the FDIC and other regulators, and has foreclosed mortgages and managed “bet the company” cases. He also served on the committee responsible for rewriting Minnesota’s receivership laws, and represents many clients who are court-appointed receivers. He works with real estate management companies, turnaround management companies, and financial institutions in high level consulting and litigation matters, as well as strategic decision making.

Todd Urness represents business and real estate owners, developers and investors as well as banks, syndicators and other financial or lending institutions throughout the upper Midwest in tax credit financing and real estate transactions. He advises on complex development and finance related issues, including the use of tax exempt bonds, tax increment financing, tax credits, joint venture and partnership matters, city, county and other governmental subsidies. He has specific and substantial expertise in multifamily housing development and finance including the development and financing of rental and for-sale housing, as well as commercial and mixed use facilities. He advises clients in all aspects of real estate development, from land acquisition and assembly, joint venture relationships, construction, mezzanine and permanent financing matters as well as the negotiation, documentation and monetization of subsidies such as tax increment financing and tax credits.

Winthrop & Weinstine, P.A., Announces New Shareholders and Managing Associates

MINNEAPOLIS — January 2, 2020. Winthrop & Weinstine, P.A., is pleased to formally announce that Christopher Hussey, Joel Johnson, Joseph Phelps and Matthew Robinson have been promoted to shareholders, and Shawn Alexander, Katherine Johnson and Cody Zustiak have been promoted to managing associates.

Christopher Hussey is a member of Winthrop & Weinstine’s mergers and acquisitions group, advising private companies and private equity funds with middle-market M&A transactions. In addition, he consistently leads the drafting and negotiation of a wide range of commercial contracts for privately held businesses, assists companies with raising capital, and advises clients regarding general business matters.

Joel Johnson is a member of the corporate group, and represents companies, entrepreneurs, and investors in all stages of an enterprise’s life, including formation, public and private capital raising, acquisitions, and sales and divestitures. In addition, he represents businesses with complex strategic relationships, joint ventures, business process outsourcing, corporate reorganizations and other mission-critical projects. He also advises public and private companies on corporate governance, fiduciary duties and compliance matters.

Joseph Phelps practices in the tax credit financing and syndication group, working closely with developers, lenders and investors in a range of tax credit and real estate matters, including developments involving Low Income Housing Tax Credits, federal and state Historic Tax Credits, New Markets Tax Credits, solar and other Energy Tax Credits, and various state industrial and rehabilitation tax credits around the country.

Matthew Robinson represents clients in a wide variety of commercial litigation contexts, including actions involving breach of contract, civil fraud, business torts, breach of fiduciary duty, misappropriation of trade secrets, and class actions. His practice incorporates a particular emphasis on securities litigation and employment litigation, and also includes representation in the areas of commercial contracts and warranties, banking and finance, shareholder and limited partner disputes, energy, healthcare, and regulatory matters.

Shawn Alexander focuses his practice on tax credits and affordable housing. He has experience drafting and negotiating commercial leases, construction agreements, handling title and survey review, and working with local government and state and regulatory agencies regarding zoning and regulatory compliance. He coordinates deals between developers, investors, title companies, lenders, and other parties involved in a transaction.

Katherine Johnson represents clients in varying types and sizes of real estate transactions, including acquisitions and sales of commercial real estate, leasing, land use, and environmental matters. A portion of her practice also involves representing tax-exempt organizations, including formation, governance and application for tax-exempt status with the Internal Revenue Service.

Cody Zustiak assists individuals and entities with health law, in matters such as responding to complaints by a regulatory board, audits, and proposed discipline against a professional license. With years of experience at the Attorney General’s office, he understands the process of administrative law, including at the Office of Administrative Hearings and Fair Hearings before the Minnesota Department of Human Services, and uses that process to his clients’ advantage.