MINNEAPOLIS, MN — December 30, 2021. Winthrop & Weinstine is pleased to announce that, after a year that provided almost unlimited opportunities to display resilience, perseverance and tenacity, the Firm has enjoyed continued growth to its client base, geographical range of experience, and scope of representation to its clients. Most notable, however, is the firm’s addition of 32 new attorneys and paralegals who joined the firm in the last 12 months. These professionals, representing clients in a wide range of practices, are characteristic of a larger trend of clients looking for a law firm that is both diversified in its service offerings and deep in its expertise in certain areas of the law.
“These professionals bring with them valuable experience upon which our clients rely, as well as the fresh perspectives and ideas that are crucial to the continued success of any organization,” said Tammera (Tami) Diehm, Firm President. “We are thrilled to have them on board, proud of the success they are already achieving on behalf of our clients, and excited for what the future holds for the entire team at Winthrop.”
The attorneys and paralegals who joined Winthrop & Weinstine in 2021 are:
Lateral Attorneys
Olivia M. Cooper focuses her practice on insurance coverage litigation, representing clients in a variety of aspects under all major insurance lines. She has experience in sexual harassment/sexual abuse litigation; lost policy identification; historical policy form changes and terms and conditions; primary/excess coverage and allocation issues; insurance fraud; insurance bad faith; and insurance jurisdiction. Olivia earned her J.D. from the University of Minnesota Law School, and her B.A. in American Studies, History and Religion, magna cum laude, from St. Olaf College.
Michelle DiVita represents clients in connection with real estate finance matters, including involving tax and tax credit considerations. She also has experience working in a public accounting firm, where her work included defending clients in state and local tax audits, interpreting federal and state laws and regulations, and monitoring upcoming legislation to determine the impact on client finances. Michelle earned her J.D. from Loyola University Chicago School of Law, where she was Senior Editor of the Loyola University Chicago Law Journal, and her B.S. in Finance from Northern Illinois University.
Anne Haslerud represents clients in a wide range of real estate transactions, including sales, acquisitions, commercial leasing, title and zoning issues, and development of real estate. Anne earned her J.D., summa cum laude, from Mitchell Hamline School of Law, and her B.S. from the University of Minnesota.
Beth Schroeder Harper practices in corporate law. She has experience providing general counsel services to closely held businesses, including drafting and negotiating a wide range of commercial contracts, as well as M&A transactions involving purchase agreements, employment agreements, due diligence matters and corporate approvals. Beth earned her J.D. from William Mitchell College of Law, and her B.A. in Political Science and Spanish Studies from the University of Minnesota.
Devon C. Holstad practices in complex commercial litigation. He has represented small companies, large corporations, and individuals in multi-million dollar business disputes, including numerous media and entertainment matters as well as bet-the-company shareholder and other corporate disputes. His litigation experience also includes copyright, trademark, and product liability. Devon has represented clients in federal and state courts across the country, including at trial and on appeal. He has also represented multiple international corporations during federal investigations by the DOJ and SEC. Devon earned his J.D., cum laude, from the University of Michigan Law School, and his B.A. in Journalism and Political Science, magna cum laude, from Loyola University Chicago.
Tracy Jacobs represents clients in regulatory law and compliance matters, with a focus on the health care industry. She has extensive experience counseling sophisticated clients on state and federal health regulations, claims management, and litigation experience. Prior to joining the firm, she worked as a Risk Manager for a regional health care provider, providing direct guidance and education to providers and operational leaders to mitigate risk stemming from professional negligence and general liability matters. Tracy earned her J.D. from Mitchell Hamline School of Law, where she received Certificates in Health Care Compliance and Health Law, and was a member of the Hamline Journal of Public Law and Policy. She earned her A.A.S. in Respiratory Therapy from Western Technical College, and her B.S. in Sociology from University of Wisconsin-La Crosse.
Jordanne E. Kissner represents banks and other financial institutions in a wide range of commercial lending matters, including specialized asset finance, equipment finance, real estate, and government guaranteed lending. Prior to entering private practice, she served as Assistant General Counsel for an independently owned national bank, where she was responsible for drafting and negotiating loan documents, as well as managing a litigation portfolio and advising on a wide range of internal operations matters. Jordanne earned her J.D. from Mitchell Hamline School of Law, and her B.A. in Political Science from the College of Saint Benedict.
Anthony Martin represents clients in connection with commercial lending matters, using the experience he gained through judicial clerkships handling a range of business and commercial law and compliance matters. He has experience working with and reviewing contracts, and working closely as a team to find efficient solutions. Anthony earned his J.D. from Mitchell Hamline School of Law, where he was a member of the Mitchell Hamline Law Review, and his B.A. in Political Science from the University of St. Thomas. He also served as a law clerk to Hon. Robert A. Awsumb, and Hon. Stephanie L. Beckman, both of Minnesota District Court.
Patrick Messmer focuses his practice on commercial real estate and commercial lending transactions, and has experience structuring deals, navigating critical components and bringing together all moving parts to successfully close transactions. Pat earned his J.D. from Seton Hall University School of Law, where he was Senior Editor of the Seton Hall Law Review, and his B.A., with Honors, in Political Science and Philosophy, from the University of Rochester.
Kayla Murphy works with closely held businesses on succession planning to ensure long term success and viability for clients. She also works with individuals and families to design estate plans that achieve their goals in the event of death or incapacity. This sometimes includes drafting wills, trusts and other planning documents as well as formation of entities for estate planning and business purposes, asset protection, gifting and transfers of assets. Kayla earned her J.D. from the Indiana University Maurer School of Law, where she was Managing Editor of the Indiana Law Journal, and her B.S. in Sport Management and Mass Media from Minnesota State University Mankato.
John Redpath represents a wide variety of closely held businesses and entrepreneurs across a broad range of industries. His practice focuses primarily on buy- and sell-side mergers and acquisitions for companies of all sizes and in various industries. John also assists clients with all stages of business, from formation, financing and capitalization, to exit strategies, as well as general governance, corporate and other transactional matters. Prior to entering the practice of law, John was a CPA at a Big Four accounting firm. John earned his J.D. from William Mitchell College of Law, cum laude, and his B.S. from St. Mary’s University of Minnesota.
Catherine “Trina” Sjoberg represents developers, owners, operators, investors and lenders in a broad range of real estate matters, including the sale, acquisition, financing and development of real estate. Her practice includes guiding the development of residential, commercial and mixed-use projects and master plan communities, including senior housing cooperatives. She also has extensive experience in office, medical office, retail, industrial and stadium lease matters. In addition, Trina provides 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. Trina earned her J.D. from the University of Denver Sturm College of Law, Order of St. Ives, and her B.A. in Business Administration, cum laude, from the University of St. Thomas.
Matthew W. Sorensen has experience in a wide range of real estate transactions, including purchase and sale transactions, commercial leasing and financing, and practices in the Tax Credit Finance and Syndication group. Matt earned his J.D., cum laude, from the University of Minnesota Law School, and his B.A., summa cum laude in Philosophy, from Creighton University.
David Tanabe represents clients in a range of bankruptcy and creditors’ remedies matters, including financial arrangements, debt restructurings, and remedies. Prior to joining the firm, he served for one year as a Law Clerk in the Washington County District Court, and for two years in the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the District of Minnesota. David earned his J.D. from Mitchell Hamline School of Law, cum laude, where he was also Managing Editor of the Mitchell Hamline Law Review, and his B.S. in Business from Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota.
Olga Tymouch represents clients in business and product liability litigation in a wide range of industries, including medical device and automotive manufacturing. She has extensive experience in law and motion practice on procedural, substantive, and dispositive issues in courts across the country, as well as discovery, arguing motions and attending court conferences, and working with expert witnesses to prepare for testimony. Olga earned her J.D. from University of Wisconsin School of Law, and her B.S. in Journalism and B.A. in International Studies from Northwestern University.
Nicholas Valle represents clients in a wide range of real estate transactions, including negotiating and drafting complex real estate purchase agreements, lease agreements and advising on title clearance issues. He also has experience advising clients with eminent domain matters, relocation actions and special assessment appeals. He earned his J.D. from Mitchell Hamline School of Law, and his B.A. in Political Science from University of Nebraska.
Fall Associates
Sydney Courrier-Oaster joined the firm as a member of the Corporate & Transactions team. She earned her J.S. from the University of Minnesota School of Law, and her B.S., magna cum laude in Community & Environmental Sociology and Political Science from the University of Wisconsin-Madison.
Cianna Halloran joined the firm as a member of the Litigation team. She earned her J.D. from the University of St. Thomas School of Law, and her B.A. in Political Science from the University of Wisconsin, Eau Claire.
David Karaz joined the firm as a member of the Real Estate Finance team. He earned his J.D. from Northwestern Pritzker School of Law, and his B.S., cum laude, in Accounting, and his B.A., cum laude, in Political Science, from Drake University. David is also a Certified CPA.
Samuel Logterman joined the firm as a member of the Litigation team. He earned his J.D. from the University of Minnesota Law School, and his B.A. in International Studies and B.B.A. in Administration in International Business from Drake University.
Catrina Mairose joined the firm as a member of the Real Estate Finance team. She earned her J.D., summa cum laude, from the University of St. Thomas School of Law, and her B.A. in Sociology of Law, Crime and Deviance from the University of Minnesota.
Eleanor Martin joined the firm as a member of the Corporate & Transactions team. She earned her J.D. from the University of Minnesota Law School, and her B.S., summa cum laude, in Business Administration and Legal Studies from the University of Miami.
Megan Miller joined the firm as a member of the Intellectual Property team. She earned her J.D. from Mitchell Hamline School of Law, cum laude, where she served as Executive Editor of Cybaris, Intellectual Property Law Review. She earned her B.A. in Criminology from the University of Minnesota Duluth.
Noah Sattler joined the firm as a member of the Real Estate Finance team. He earned his J.D., cum laude, from the University of Minnesota Law School, and his B.A., magna cum laude, in Economics and English, from Benedictine College.
Jack Swanson joined the firm as a member of the Commercial Lending team. He earned his J.D. from the University of Michigan, where he was Senior Editor of the Michigan Journal of Law Reform, and his B.A. in Political Science and Law and Society from Purdue University.
Tucker Windels joined the firm as a member of the Real Estate Finance team. He earned his J.D., magna cum laude, from the University of Minnesota Law School, where he was Managing Editor of the Minnesota Journal of International Law, and his MAcc from University of Wisconsin-Madison, with a Certificate in Taxation.
Paralegals
Sara K. Bell is a Trademark Paralegal in the Intellectual Property Group. Sara graduated from the University of North Dakota with a degree in Management and Marketing, and she received her Paralegal Certificate from North Hennepin Community College.
Tricia Cinker is a Paralegal in the Trusts & Estates Department. Tricia earned her Paralegal degree from Chippewa Valley Technical College and is a Minnesota Certified Paralegal.
Jaclyn E. O’Neil is a Patent Paralegal in the Intellectual Property Group. Jackie has 15 years of experience in Patent Prosecution, and assists with all aspects of patent prosecution including preparing and filing patent applications, both foreign and domestic. She graduated from Iowa State University with a degree in Sociology, and she received her Paralegal degree from the Minnesota School of Business.
Cheryl Sheldon is a Paralegal in the Commercial Lending practice, performing review and analysis of title and survey. During her 18-plus years in the field of commercial real estate, she has worked as a paralegal and commercial escrow closer in the title insurance industry. Her experience includes drafting leases, memoranda of leases, subordination agreements, easements, and certificates of trust and trustee affidavits; reviewing and analyzing title and survey; and researching title issues.
Heidi Varghese is a Paralegal in the Commercial Lending practice, and has worked on complex real estate loan transactions as a paralegal and a commercial/multi-family loan closer for 15-plus years. I draft loan documents, analyze and track due diligence items, coordinate with various parties to facilitate the closing of real estate loans, and assist with post-closing matters, while keeping the clients’ needs first. Heidi earned her B.A. Degree in Sociology from the University of Minnesota – Morris and a paralegal certificate from Denver Paralegal Institute.
Nisha West has been a litigation paralegal for more than twenty years, and has worked with large international companies and law firms across a variety of practices, including product liability, catastrophic loss, and labor and employment. She earned the Certified Electronic Discovery Specialist (CEDS) designation and embraces technology to increase efficiency and meet client expectations.
About Winthrop & Weinstine, P.A.
Winthrop & Weinstine is a business law firm of more than 145 attorneys with a deliberate culture of enterprise and fresh thinking. Located in Minneapolis, MN and with a national reach, we deliver service, smart perspectives and practical outcomes to put the law to work for you. Visit us at www.winthrop.com.