Introduction
Leigh-Erin is a shareholder in Fredrikson & Byron’s Corporate, Securities and Mergers & Acquisitions Groups. She is also an active member in the firm’s Private Equity & Venture Capital Group and is Co-Chair of Counsel for Women, our initiative focused on women in business. Leigh-Erin represents a diverse group of clients on all aspects of mergers, acquisitions, and other strategic transactions. Her practice focuses on transactions involving private equity funds and mezzanine lenders. Leigh-Erin also represents clients on public and private securities offerings, Securities and Exchange Commission reporting and compliance, and a wide array of general corporate issues that arise in their day-to-day operations. Leigh-Erin is a member of Fredrikson’s Associate Hiring Committee.
Leigh-Erin has a deep commitment to pro bono work. She advises many micro-entrepreneurs on general business issues. Leigh-Erin served on Fredrikson’s Pro Bono Committee from 2005-2007, and led a panel on pro bono in corporate practice at the 2006 Pro Bono Institute’s national conference.
Education
- Indiana University School of Law - Bloomington, J.D., 2003, cum laude
- University of Wisconsin - Madison, B.A., Journalism and Behavioral Science & Law, 2000, with distinction
Bar Admissions
- Minnesota, 2003
Practice Areas
Selected Publications & Presentations
- “Government Attention on Private Equity Could Mean Changes for the Industry,” co-authored with Lisa Holter and Timothy Nelson, FredALERT: Private Equity, April 2, 2009
- “Community Development,” panelist, William Mitchell College of Law, November 19, 2008
- “Exit Strategies, Part I: Complete Exit through
- “Simplified Reporting for Smaller Companies: The SEC’s Proposed Amendments,” outline and presentation, Hennepin County Bar Association Continuing Legal Education, September 13, 2007
- Business Law 103: “The Effect of Sarbanes-Oxley on Private Companies,” outline and presentation,
- “Transactional Pro Bono: Serving Microentrepreneurs and Small Businesses,” lead panelist, Pro Bono Institute Annual Seminar, March 3, 2006
Professional Activities
- American Bar Association
- Minnesota State Bar Association
- Hennepin County Bar Association, Business and Securities Law Section Co-Chair
- Phi Delta Phi Legal Fraternity
Honors & Distinctions
- Named a 2010 Up & Coming Attorney,
- Named a Rising Star by Minnesota Law & Politics, and Minnesota Super Lawyers magazine 2008, 2009, 2010, 2012, and 2013
- Fredrikson & Byron Pro Bono Associate Volunteer of the Year Award, 2008
- LINC (Leaders Impacting the Nonprofit Community) Graduate, 2008
- Federal Communications Law Journal 2001-2003, Senior Articles Editor
Community Involvement
- Neighborhood Development Center, General Counsel
- The Advocates for Human Rights, Volunteer for Liberian Truth & Reconciliation Project
- Hope Chest for Breast Cancer, Putt for the Pink Committee Member