Introduction

Jeff is a senior associate in Fredrikson & Byron’s Energy, Oil & Gas, and Real Estate Groups. Jeff’s approach to helping his clients is creative and proactive, and his representation of clients in a broad spectrum of transactions allows him to provide sound practical legal and business advice. As a member of Fredrikson & Byron’s Energy Group, Jeff handles real estate matters relating to oil and gas exploration and production. He has extensive experience in mineral title examination.

As a member of Fredrikson & Byron’s Real Estate Group, Jeff has extensive experience in real estate transactions, including the acquisition, development, construction, leasing, and financing of commercial and residential properties. Jeff works with a wide range of clients including real estate developers, retailers, manufacturers, and health care providers.

Clients seek Jeff’s guidance to anticipate the many issues that may arise in the acquisition and disposition of real estate to avoid unnecessary delays and pitfalls in the pre-closing process and to avoid post-acquisition problems. His transactional services include determination of the appropriate deal structure, preparation and negotiation of purchase and sale agreements, due diligence review, and assistance with debt and equity financing. Jeff also negotiates industrial, office and retail leases on behalf of landlords and tenants, covering a vast array of single-tenant and multi-tenant properties.

Developers seek Jeff’s assistance with land use and development matters, including preparing and negotiating reciprocal easement agreements, preparing and negotiating development agreements with municipal officials, and appearing before municipal governing bodies for annexation, zoning and subdivision matters.

Jeff has authored articles for various legal and real estate industry publications, including Midwest Real Estate News, the Minnesota Real Estate Journal, and Wisconsin Lawyer.

Education

• University of Wisconsin Law School, J.D., 2002, cum laude
• University of Wisconsin-La Crosse, B.S., Finance and Economics, 1998, with honors

Bar Admissions

• North Dakota, 2012
• Minnesota, 2003
• Wisconsin, 2002
• U.S. District Court for the Western District of Wisconsin, 2002
• U.S. District Court for the District of Minnesota, 2003

Practice Areas

• Energy
• Oil & Gas
• Real Estate
• Construction

Selected Publications & Presentations

• “The Attorney’s Role in the Bakken,” Bakken Oil Business Journal, February/March 2013
• “Development Strategies at a Time When Variance Laws are in Flux,” co-authored with Thomas Gump, Minnesota Real Estate Journal, February 2011
• “Enhancing Real Estate Projects with Renewable Energy Systems,” co-authored with Thomas Gump, Minnesota Real Estate Journal, July 2010
• “Understanding Recent Changes to Minnesota’s Green Acres Program,” co-authored with Mary Ranum, FredNEWS: Real Estate, July 2010
• “Declare Your Energy Independence: Integration of Small-Scale Renewable Energy Generation in Real Estate Projects,” co-authored with Katie Cole, FredNEWS: Construction, August 7, 2009
• “Signs, Signs, Everywhere a Sign,” co-authored with Thomas Gump, Minnesota Real Estate Journal, May 2007
• “Legal Effect of Electronic Transactions,” Wisconsin Lawyer, February 2005

Professional Activities

• The Minnesota State Bar Association
• State Bar of Wisconsin
• Hennepin County Bar Association
• National Association of Industrial and Office Properties (NAIOP)
• Minnesota Shopping Center Association

Honors & Distinctions

• Order of the Coif
• Real Property Law Specialist, Certified by the Real Property Section of Minnesota State Bar Association
• Named a Rising Star by Minnesota Law & Politics, and Minnesota Super Lawyers magazine