MINNEAPOLIS — May 7, 2024. Winthrop & Weinstine, P.A., is pleased to announce that four new attorneys have joined the firm. Jacob (“Jake”) G. Peterson has joined the firm as Counsel in the Corporate & Transactions practice; Vanessa D. Runtsch and Michael Terres have joined the firm as Associates in the Specialty Tax Credits & Incentives practice; and Jingjia (“Violet”) Zhang has joined the firm as an Associate in the Renewable Energy Development & Construction practice.

Jacob (“Jake”) G. Peterson, Counsel in the Corporate & Transactions practice, represents individuals and various types of businesses in large-scale corporate transactions; he also has experience handling a wide array of commercial real estate matters for business clients, including acquisitions and dispositions, easement, liens, and other land use matters. His past experience in a blended litigation and transactional setting provides him with a unique perspective when advising his current corporate clients. Jake earned his J.D. from the University of Iowa College of Law and was the Articles Editor for the Journal of Corporation Law. He earned his B.A., summa cum laude, from Hamline University.

Vanessa D. Runtsch, Associate in the Specialty Tax Credits & Incentives practice, advises clients on intricate federal, state and local tax issues, including issues relating to indirect tax, income and franchise tax, tax implications relating to mergers and acquisitions, and opportunities for tax benefits and credits. In her current legal practice, Vanessa draws on her past experiences as an associate at a “Big 4” accounting firm and as a risk management consultant for a large financial institution. She received her J.D., magna cum laude, from Mitchell Hamline School of Law, her M.B.A. from Colorado State University, and her B.S. from the University of North Dakota. She is also a Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP) and Certified Third Party Risk Professional (CTPRP).

 Michael J. Terres, Associate in the Specialty Tax Credits & Incentives practice, has experience advising clients on tax controversy matters and on complex federal and state tax issues, such as qualified small business stock gain exclusions, tax implications in bankruptcy proceedings, ordinary and necessary business expense deduction and capitalization, and qualified disaster losses. Prior to joining Winthrop & Weinstine, Michael was a Senior Tax Advisor at a national accounting and business consulting firm. Michael earned his J.D. from the University of St. Thomas School of Law, and his M.B.A. from the University of St. Thomas Opus College of Business. He also earned his B.S. in Business Economics from the University of St. Thomas.

 Jingjia (“Violet”) Zhang, Associate (licensed in California) in the Renewable Energy Development & Construction practice, has experience guiding clients through cross-border energy transactions and complex renewable energy projects. Her passion for the environment and interest in quelling the effects of climate change, stemming from her previous legal experience in Beijing, China, helped shape her current renewable energy practice. Violet earned her LL.M. in Environmental Law and Policy from Stanford Law School, and her LL.B. and B.A. from the University of International Business and Economics in Beijing, China.

Minneapolis, MN (May 2, 2024) — Winthrop & Weinstine, a leading law firm committed to the pursuit of progress, proudly announces the grand opening of its newly designed office space, located in the Capella Tower in downtown Minneapolis. The expansion and remodel project, spanning 107,000 square feet – a 10% increase in square footage from its previous footprint – marks a significant milestone in the firm’s effort to create a dynamic workplace tailored to the needs of its employees and clients.

The project, undertaken in collaboration with commercial real estate firms Cushman & Wakefield and Shorenstein, and interior design studio Yellow Dog, was driven by Winthrop & Weinstine’s vision to create a workspace that enhances employee well-being and collaboration while reflecting the firm’s values and commitment to its workforce. The design and planning process kicked off in 2022, with construction and renovation starting in August 2023, and spanning eight months. Employees officially moved into the new space on April 22, 2024.

The fully remodeled office now features six floors, including a new internal connecting stairway, multiple employee lounges, state-of-the-art technology infrastructure, wellness areas, larger collaborative spaces, and an exclusive outdoor deck, all aimed at enriching the firm’s culture. Over the last five years, Winthrop & Weinstine has experienced more than 20% staff growth, and currently has 322 employees of which 175 are attorneys.

“Our new office space represents a bold step forward for Winthrop & Weinstine as we continue to prioritize the well-being and productivity of our employees,” said Tami Diehm, President of Winthrop & Weinstine, “We are thrilled to provide our team with a modern, innovative workspace that fosters collaboration, creativity and professional growth.”

Unlike many companies reducing their physical footprint, Winthrop & Weinstine embraced the forward-looking opportunity to expand its presence in downtown Minneapolis, demonstrating its promise to help support and revitalize the local community. The firm’s decision to increase square footage underscores its commitment to meeting the needs of its staff and clients along with a vision for a vibrant future.

“We are pleased to continue our presence in this central location downtown and contribute to the economic growth of Minneapolis,” added Diehm. “Our investment in this new office space reflects our confidence post-pandemic and our dedication to bringing our employees back together in meaningful ways and keep providing exceptional service to our clients.”

Winthrop & Weinstine unveiled its new office space on May 2 in an open house for clients, government officials and friends. During the event, Mayor Jacob Frey issued a proclamation stating May 2, 2024 as Winthrop & Weinstine Day in the City of Minneapolis. This proclamation reaffirms the firm’s commitment to excellence, innovation, and community engagement in downtown Minneapolis.

MINNEAPOLIS — January 2, 2024. Winthrop & Weinstine, P.A., is pleased to formally announce the elevation of six new Shareholders, and three Managing Associates. Steve Kool, Jessica Lindstrom, Paul Manda, Trina Sjoberg, Sam Thompson, and Tony Todero have been promoted to Shareholders and Josh Curry, Joey Novak, and Olga Tymouch have been selected as the firm’s Managing Associates.

Steve Kool represents developers of multi-family affordable housing projects utilizing various incentives, including Low-Income Housing Tax Credits, to finance projects, focusing on all aspects of representation from the purchase agreement to closing on the debt and equity financing to ensure that each project is successful.  Prior to joining Winthrop & Weinstine, he practiced law in-house, and applies that experience to his representation of clients to inform communication and collaboration.  Steve also serves as a mentor through the University of St. Thomas School of Law mentorship program.

Jessica Timmington Lindstrom represents clients in every aspect of estate planning, trust and probate administration, and probate, trust, guardianship and fiduciary litigation. She has a particular focus in Elder Law, and advises clients in long-term care planning, government benefits, disability planning including special and supplemental needs trusts, along with an extensive practice area in guardianship and conservatorship.

Paul Manda represents developers, investors and lenders in utilizing Low-Income Housing Tax Credits to finance affordable housing developments and help promote community development in under-resourced areas. In addition to his work with tax credits, he also represents clients with investments in structured financial products. He regularly assists clients with purchase agreements, conveyance documents, partner disposition documents, construction contracts, organizational documents, land issues, loan documents, equity documents, security offering documents, due diligence and other matters.

Catherine “Trina” Sjoberg is a MSBA Certified Real Property Law specialist who 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, including senior housing cooperatives. She also has extensive experience in office, medical office, retail and industrial lease matters. In addition, Trina provides advice and counsel to lenders in construction, real estate and asset-based financing.

Samuel Thompson represents clients in the development of real estate projects, including those involving federal and state tax credits. He assists and advises his clients in navigating complex tax, regulatory and financing structures associated with such tax credit financing. He regularly works with his clients in facilitating their entitlements process, negotiating site control, advising on title related matters, structuring financing and underwriting for the transaction, and coordinating with project partners, investors and lenders. He has vast experience in assisting clients who build ground-up construction, acquiring and rehabilitating existing multifamily properties and coordinating the acquisitions and dispositions of large multifamily portfolios.

Anthony “Tony” Todero represents global, national, regional, and community banks, life insurance companies, and other institutional lenders in a variety of financial transactions, including commercial real estate and other asset-based lending, public and private finance on bond transactions, C&I loans, syndicated and club credits, loan participations, and senior and mezzanine financing. He also has significant experience representing borrowers, helping to negotiate loan transactions to fit the client’s business needs and aspirations. Tony has closed many agricultural and agribusiness loans, and as a faculty member in the agricultural track of ABA Commercial Lending Schools and the Agricultural Lending Institute at California State University, Fresno, he has unique insight into agricultural lending issues. (AT approved 12.8)

Joshua Curry represents clients in a range of corporate matters related to mergers & acquisitions, including corporate, limited partnership and limited liability company formation and structuring, drafting agreements, corporate governance, and due diligence matters. His experience also includes drafting and negotiating purchase agreements, escrow agreements, and other transaction documents. In addition, Josh helps clients develop strategies to structure transactions in a variety of securities matters, including corporate governance, debt and equity financing, and securities law compliance.

Joey Novak represents multifamily housing developers that utilize low-income housing credits to provide affordable housing in various areas of need across the country.  He regularly assists clients with organizational documents, diligence matters, purchase and sale agreement, title and survey review, drafting and review of construction and architect contracts, and debt and equity financing document review.  In addition, he also has experience in closing a number of complex and multifaceted projects using an array of various public and private sources of financing, coordinating with lenders and investors and their respective counsel to navigate such projects up to and through closing.

Olga Tymouch represents clients in litigation in a wide range of industries. 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.

MINNEAPOLIS, January 2, 2024 – Winthrop & Weinstine is pleased to announce that Heather A. Johnston will join the firm on January 10 as its new Chief Operating Officer.

Heather joins Winthrop & Weinstine following decades of operations experience in both the public and private sectors. “Heather’s vast experience working with a diverse group of stakeholders in complex organizations will bring a fresh perspective to the firm,” said Tammera Diehm, Firm President. “Winthrop & Weinstine has enjoyed significant growth in recent years and we look forward to having Heather contribute to this growth so we can continue to find new and innovative ways to support our clients.”

Heather’s addition to the team comes at an exciting moment for the firm. In the spring, Winthrop & Weinstine will move into its renovated space in the Capella Tower — a move that Johnston will help manage.

MINNEAPOLIS — November 2, 2023. Winthrop & Weinstine is pleased to announce that it has been ranked in 34 practice areas in the list of “Best Law Firms”.

In addition to being ranked in Minneapolis, Winthrop & Weinstine was ranked nationally in the areas of Appellate Practice, Banking and Finance Law, Land Use & Zoning Law, and Litigation – Banking & Finance. Firms included in the 2024 “Best Law Firms” list are recognized for their professional excellence with persistently impressive ratings from clients and peers. Achieving a ranking signals a unique combination of quality law practice and breadth of legal experience. Winthrop & Weinstine was ranked in the following practice areas:

• Administrative / Regulatory Law
• Appellate Practice
• Arbitration
• Banking and Finance Law (National)
• Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights / Insolvency and Reorganization Law
• Bet-the-Company Litigation
• Business Organizations (including LLCs and Partnerships)
• Commercial Litigation
• Corporate Law
• Eminent Domain and Condemnation Law
• Employee Benefits (ERISA) Law
• Employment Law – Individuals
• Employment Law – Management
• Energy Law
• Energy Regulatory Law
• Environmental Law
• Franchise Law
• Government Relations Practice
• Health Care Law
• Insurance Law
• Land Use & Zoning Law
• Litigation – Banking & Finance
• Litigation – Construction
• Litigation – Insurance
• Litigation – Labor & Employment
• Litigation – Real Estate
• Litigation – Trusts & Estates
• Mediation
• Mergers & Acquisitions Law
• Municipal Law
• Real Estate Law
• Securities / Capital Markets Law
• Tax Law
• Trusts & Estates Law

The Best Law Firms rankings are based on a rigorous evaluation process that includes the collection of client and lawyer evaluations, peer review from leading attorneys in their field, and review of additional information provided by law firms as part of the formal submission process. The 2024 Best Law Firms rankings can be seen in their entirety by visiting their website.

MINNEAPOLIS, MN — October 5, 2023. Winthrop & Weinstine, P.A., is pleased to announce that the firm has been listed as a “highly recommended” litigation firm in Benchmark Litigation, the only publication to focus exclusively on litigation in the United States. In addition, Benchmark recognizes the firm as “recommended” for labor and employment litigation. Nine individual attorneys from Winthrop & Weinstine were ranked as “Litigation Stars”, with one also named “Future Star.”

Benchmark Litigation identifies the leading U.S. trial attorneys and firms at the local and national levels. Focused exclusively on the U.S. litigation market, the publication’s rankings and editorials are the result of extensive interviews with private practice lawyers and in-house counsel. Supplementary firm information is also submitted in the form of a questionnaire. The guide’s “litigation stars” reflect lawyers who are recommended by clients and peers to have established consistent reputations as trial attorneys, while “future stars” are those litigators who are highlighted as likely to be become “litigation stars” in coming editions.

Recognized Attorneys:

• David Aafedt; Litigation Star
• Thomas Boyd, Litigation Star
• Aimée Dayhoff, Litigation Star
• Christianna Finnern, Litigation Star
• Gerald Fornwald, Litigation Star
• Brent Lorentz, Litigation Star
• Matthew McBride, Litigation Star
• Brooks Poley, Litigation Star
• Eric Swanson, Litigation Star
• Joseph Windler, Future Star

MINNEAPOLIS – August 17, 2023.  Winthrop & Weinstine, P.A., is pleased to announce that 51 of its attorneys have been selected by their peers for inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America© 2024, with two attorneys recognized as “Lawyer of the Year” in their practices: Thomas H. Boyd and Eric Swanson. In addition, 21 attorneys have been included in the list of Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch. The recognized attorneys are:

The recognized attorneys are:

* denotes “Lawyer of the Year” in this practice area.  “Lawyer of the Year” honors are awarded annually to only one lawyer per practice area in each region with extremely high overall feedback from their peers, making it an exceptional distinction.

The following attorneys were listed in Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch, recognitions given to attorneys who are earlier in their careers for outstanding professional excellence in private practice in the United States. “Ones to Watch” recipients typically have been in practice for 5-9 years.

Best Lawyers is the oldest and most respected peer-review publication company in the legal profession. Recognition by Best Lawyers is widely regarded by both clients and legal professionals as a significant honor, conferred on a lawyer by their peers.

The lists of outstanding lawyers are compiled by conducting exhaustive peer review surveys in which tens of thousands of leading lawyers confidentially evaluate their professional peers. If the votes for a lawyer are positive enough for recognition by Best Lawyers, that lawyer must maintain those votes in subsequent polls to remain in each edition. Lawyers are not permitted to pay any fee to participate in or be recognized by Best Lawyers.

Firm Adds to Commercial Lending, Corporate, and Creditors’ Remedies Teams

MINNEAPOLIS — August 1, 2023. Winthrop & Weinstine, P.A., is pleased to announce that three new attorneys have joined the firm. Edward “Teddy” J. Fleming has joined the firm as Counsel in the Corporate & Transactions practice; Will J. Schumacher has joined as Counsel in the Creditors’ Remedies, Bankruptcy & Work-Out Practice; and Zachary D. Wall has joined as an Associate in the Commercial Lending practice.

Edward “Teddy” J. Fleming, V, Counsel in the Corporate & Transactions practice, serves as a trusted adviser to public and private companies, family-owned businesses, private equity firms, and their boards of directors on a wide range of strategic matters. These include mergers and acquisitions, exit transactions, purchases and sales of portfolio companies, rollover transactions, recapitalizations, private securities offerings and private placements of debt securities, joint ventures and other strategic alliances, capital markets transactions, corporate finance and credit facility transactions, corporate governance matters, and general corporate issues. He has experience across multiple industries in the United States and Canada and a variety of transaction structures, and has provided practical guidance to numerous companies on their most sensitive business and compliance matters. Teddy earned his J.D. from the University of Minnesota School of Law, where he was Managing Editor of the Minnesota Law Review. He earned his M.S.W. from Boston College, and his B.A. in Psychology, Sociology and Spanish from Saint Norbert College.  He is also certified as a Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker in the State of Minnesota.

Will J. Schumacher is Counsel in the Creditors’ Remedies, Bankruptcy & Work-Out Practice, where he represents and advises debtors, secured and unsecured creditors and others in the financial services industry. He focuses his practice on creditors’ rights, business restructuring and reorganization, including chapter 11 proceedings, complex bankruptcy litigation, liquidation, section 363 sales, and out-of-court restructuring related matters. He has significant experience drafting dispositive motions in bankruptcy proceedings. Will has represented clients in a variety of industries, including retail, media, oil and gas, and healthcare. He earned his J.D., magna cum laude, from the University of Minnesota Law School with a Business Law Concentration. He earned his B.S.B. in Accounting from the University of Minnesota – Carlson School of Management, and is also a Certified Public Accountant. Before entering private practice, Will served as a Law Clerk for Hon. Robert N. Opel, II, of the United States Bankruptcy Court in the Middle District of Pennsylvania.

Zachary D. Wall is an Associate in the Commercial Lending practice. He has experience drafting and negotiating a variety of contracts and agreements, and has a background in general corporate work, representing clients in the areas of real estate, securities and business formation. He earned his J.D. from the University of Minnesota School of Law, and his B.A. in Political Science, magna cum laude, from the University of Alaska Fairbanks.

MINNEAPOLIS — July 24, 2023. Winthrop & Weinstine is pleased to announce that it has been ranked in the areas of Banking, Mergers & Acquisitions, and Restructuring & Insolvency for Minnesota by IFLR1000, the guide to the world’s leading financial and corporate law firms and lawyers. The publication noted that the firm does “highly regarded work in financial and corporate practices” and “has an outstanding banking, M&A and restructuring and insolvency practice.”

The IFLR1000 has been producing legal market intelligence since 1990 and remains the only international legal directory dedicated to ranking law firms and lawyers on the basis of financial and corporate transactional work.

About Winthrop & Weinstine, P.A.

Winthrop & Weinstine is a business law firm of more than 160 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.

MINNEAPOLIS – July 17, 2023. Nineteen attorneys from Winthrop & Weinstine, P.A., have been named Super Lawyers® and will be included on the magazine’s annual list. The final published list represents no more than five percent of the lawyers in the state.

• David M. Aafedt
• Jeffrey R. Ansel
• Daniel C. Beck
• Thomas H. Boyd*
• Aimée D. Dayhoff*
• Tammera R. Diehm
• Christianna L. Finnern
• Jon J. Hoganson
• John C. Holper
• Christina Rieck Loukas
• Matthew R. McBride
• David P. Pearson
• Jeff Peterson
• Laura A. Pfeiffer
• Brooks F. Poley
• Andrew J. Steil
• Eric F. Swanson
• Todd B. Urness
• Robert R. Weinstine
• Joseph M. Windler

*Top List

The magazine also publishes an annual “Top 100” list, as well as a “Top 50 Women” list, noting those who received the highest point totals in the Minnesota nomination, research and blue-ribbon review process. This year’s “Top 100” list includes Winthrop & Weinstine attorney Thomas Boyd and the “Top 50 Women” list includes Aimée Dayhoff.

Super Lawyers is a listing of outstanding lawyers from more than 70 practice areas who have attained a high degree of peer recognition and professional achievement. Super Lawyers selects attorneys using a patented multiphase process. Peer nominations and evaluations are combined with third-party research. Each candidate is evaluated on 12 indicators of peer recognition and professional achievement and selections are then made on an annual, state-by-state basis. The objective is to create a credible, comprehensive and diverse listing of outstanding attorneys that can be used as a resource for those searching for legal counsel.

Eleven Attorneys Recognized as “Rising Stars”

In addition, eleven attorneys from Winthrop & Weinstine, P.A., have been named “Rising Stars” by Super Lawyers® and will be included in the magazine’s annual list. The list is made up of highly regarded attorneys who are 40 years old or younger, or who have been practicing for 10 years or less. No more than 2.5 percent of the lawyers in the state are named to the list. The Winthrop & Weinstine attorneys recognized are:

• Olivia M. Cooper
• Beth Harper
• Christopher M. Hussey
• Katherine A. Johnson
• Kyle R. Kroll
• Jessica Timmington Lindstrom
• Sarah B. Lovegreen
• Joseph J.W. Phelps
• Matthew C. Robinson
• Quin Seiler
• Timothy D. Sitzmann

The rigorous selection process is led by a research team of attorneys who review the credentials of potential candidates and assign points based on a set of defined evaluation criteria. The point totals from the general survey and research process are then added to arrive at a final tally and those with the highest point totals are named to the Rising Stars list. More information about the selection process can be found here.