Introduction

Kevin is an officer in the Corporate, Securities, and Mergers & Acquisitions Groups. His  practice focuses on helping entrepreneurs and investors build technology based businesses by providing experienced, practical, and tech savvy counsel in the areas of corporate finance, general corporate matters, mergers and acquisitions, strategic intellectual property monetization, and technology transactions. His practice also focuses on start-up counseling, venture capital financing, technology licensing, strategic alliances and joint ventures, corporate finance, mergers and acquisitions, and general corporate matters. Prior to joining Fredrikson & Byron, Kevin served as general counsel for Crescendo Venture Management LLC, a global venture capital firm with in excess of $1 billion under management. He was responsible for overseeing all legal and administrative aspects of the firm’s operations, including litigation, employment matters, overseas offices, tax matters, as well as partnership formation, governance, and investing.

Education

• William Mitchell College of Law, J.D., 1992
• University of Minnesota, Bachelor of Individualized Studies, 1988

Bar Admissions

• Minnesota
• California

Practice Areas

• Corporate
• Securities
• Mergers & Acquisitions
• Internet, Technology & E-Commerce
• Private Equity & Venture Capital
• Algae

Representative Experience

• Lead counsel to investors and issuers in hundreds of venture financings with an aggregate value in excess of $1 billion.
• Represented Fortune 100 retailer in numerous strategic investments into early stage companies.
• Lead U.S. counsel on venture investments and other transactions in France, Germany, The Netherlands, Spain, UK, and Sweden.
• Worked with private equity firms in the organization and syndication of their funds.
• Represented numerous start-up and early stage companies in connection with transactions, including public and private offerings, mergers, licensing agreements, and employment matters.

Selected Publications & Presentations

Publications

• “Status of Vantage Point v. Examen: Practical Implications,” Preferred Return - Newsletter of the ABA Section of Business Law on Venture Capital and Private Equity,  2006
• “Delaware Supreme Court Says Quasi-California Corporation Statute Violates U.S. Constitution,” Preferred Return - Newsletter of ABA Section of Business Law on Venture Capital and Private Equity, July 2005
• “How to Attract Investors: Make a Bigger Pie,” Upsize Minnesota, June/July 2005
• “Common Sense Tactics for Attracting Private Money,” Corporate Report Ventures, February 1996

Presentations

• “Venture Capital Litigation Update: Lessons Learned in 2005,” Meeting of the American Bar Association Business Law Section, 2006
• “Positioning Your Company for Financing: Pervasive Legal & Structuring Issues,” 19th Annual Minnesota Venture Finance Conference, October 2005
• “Private Equity Continuum,” 18th Annual Minnesota Venture Finance Conference, October 2004
• “Positioning Your Company for Financing: Pervasive Legal & Structuring Issues,” 17th Annual Minnesota Venture Finance Conference, October 2003
• “Rights to Technology and Trade Secrets: Employee vs. Old Employer vs. New Employer,” The Collaborative, January 1997

Professional Activities

• American Bar Association
• California Bar Association
• Minnesota Bar Association
• Hennepin County Bar Association

Honors & Distinctions

•  Named a “Super Lawyer” by Minnesota Law & Politics, 2000-2002

Community Involvement

• Board of Directors of Minne*, a Minnesota not-for-profit corporation, serving technology entrepreneurs and designers.
• Board of Directors of James J. Hill Reference Library
• Member of ABA Subcommittee on Transactional Issues and Documents and Chairman of the subcommittee on Venture Capital Litigation.
• Investment Committee of Saint Paul Business Ventures, a not-for-profit organization