Introduction

Sharon is a shareholder, practicing in the commercial, franchise, and corporate areas. She emphasizes product marketing and distribution, acquisition of businesses and business planning for closely held companies. Sharon has significant international experience, including experience related to export regulations.

Her practice has included negotiating and drafting various commercial documents, including domestic and international distributorships, sales representative and independent contractor agreements, international joint venture agreements, purchase order terms and conditions, technology licensing and development agreements, franchise agreements, and manufacturing and supply agreements.

Education

• University of Minnesota Law School, J.D., 1983, magna cum laude, Law Counsel
• South Dakota State University, M.S., Rural Sociology, 1979, with highest honors
• South Dakota State University, B.S., Sociology, 1977, with highest honors

Bar Admissions

• Minnesota, 1983

Practice Areas

• International
• Corporate
• Mergers & Acquisitions
• Intellectual Property
• Food, Drug & Medical Device Regulation
• Franchise
• Life Sciences
• Internal Investigations
• Commercial Law

Representative Experience

• Criminal Justice Planner, 1980, Yankton, South Dakota

Selected Publications & Presentations

• “Hot Topics in the Transfer of Workers Across Borders,” Fredrikson & Byron’s 27th Annual Employment & Labor Law Seminar, November 10, 2011
• “Lesson Learned: What I Learned About Life By Taking a Sabbatical,” The Platinum Group Newsletter, April 2009
• “Protecting Your Brand: Trademarks, Copyrights, Patents and Trade Secrets,” Creating Brand Equity - How to Strategically Protect and Promote Your Brand, May 14, 2008
• Speaker, Fredrikson & Byron's Global Perspectives Seminar: Global Expansion Through the Use of International Agents and Distributors, June 3, 2005
• China’s Accession in WTO, Fredrikson & Byron’s International Focus Newsletter, October 2002
• “The Do’s and Don’ts in Writing Clinical Research Contracts,” Medical Alley, December 15, 1999
• “Your Passport to the World: Taking Your Business International,” The Savvy Navigator seminar sponsored by the College of St. Catherine and the Minnesota Chapter of the National Association of Women Business Owners, October 1, 1999
• “International Oasis,” Minnesota NAWBO News, May/June 1997
• “Selling Through International Agents and Distributors,” The Management Center, University of St. Thomas, October 29, 1996 and April 11, 1997
• “Three Legal ‘Hot Spots’ When Using Sales Representatives,” Minnesota NAWBO News, September/October 1995
• “Business Agreements Relating to Sale of Products,” Minnesota State Bar Association, Continuing Legal Education Seminar, Business Law 101, April 1995
• “Purchase and Sale of a Business,” Minnesota State Bar Association, Continuing Legal Education Seminar, Course Chairperson and Lecturer, November 1994
• Buying And Selling A Business In Minnesota, a collaborative effort with the Minnesota Small Business Assistance Office, Arthur Young and Fredrikson & Byron, 1989 & 1992 Editions
• “Buyer's Legal Considerations in Acquiring a Business,” at three 1986 seminars and one in January 1992 sponsored by the Minnesota Small Business Development Center
• “Annotated Sales Representative and Distribution Agreements,” Minnesota State Bar Association, Continuing Legal Education Seminar, December 1991
• “Methods of Product Distribution and the Structuring of Distribution Relationships,” seminar sponsored by the Minnesota Small Business Development Center, October 26, 1991
• “Legal Landmines in Sales Reps Contracts,” seminar entitled The Wrong Reps Selling the Right Products Can Make a Good Company Go Bad, Minneapolis, Minnesota and Chicago, Illinois, October 1991
• “Annotated Asset Purchase Agreement,” Minnesota State Bar Association Continuing Legal Education Seminar, December 1988 and December 1990

Professional Activities

• Minnesota State Bar Association, UCC Article 2A Subcommittee Chair, 1988
• Minnesota State Bar Association, International Business Law Section
• Hennepin County Bar Association, Corporation, Banking & Business Law Section

Honors & Distinctions

• Delta Theta Phi
• Phi Kappa Phi