Introduction
Todd is a member of Fredrikson & Byron’s Energy, Securities, Corporate, Emerging Business, and Clean Technology Groups.
Education
- William Mitchell College of Law, J.D.
- University of St. Thomas, B.A.
Bar Admissions
- Minnesota, 1998
- North Dakota, 2007
- U.S. District Court, District of Minnesota
Practice Areas
- Energy
- Corporate
- Securities
- Mergers & Acquisitions
- Private Equity & Venture Capital
- Agribusiness & Cooperatives
- Corporate Governance & Investigations
- Emerging Business
- Clean Technology
- Renewable Energy
- Algae
Representative Experience
As the CEO of a publicly reporting agribusiness, I was happy to know that I could always call Todd, even after business hours, with a question or concern and he would be ready to help. We faced many challenges, including merger talks, SEC issues, board disputes and vendor problems, and Todd consistently gave us the necessary and practical legal advice to help me make advantageous decisions. Beyond this, however, I also knew that Todd really cared about our success and employees. That meant a great deal to me and I would work with Todd again, anytime.
- Mick Miller, former Chief Executive Officer, Red Trail Energy
Facing a corporate bankruptcy as a CEO/CFO of a public company is never easy, but Todd was right there with me at every step. His advice to me and the board on our responsibilities to the shareholders and creditors was critical as we navigated some very challenging issues. He offered quick and effective advice on our ongoing SEC filings, including responding to difficult SEC inquiries. He also worked closely with me to craft a strategy to raise equity in an effort to save the company, a task made extremely challenging due to the interests and demands of the various creditor and shareholder groups. Through it all, I knew Todd cared and worked hard to get us the best result possible.
- Anthony Hicks, former Chief Executive Officer/Chief Financial Officer, Otter Tail Ag Enterprises
I consider Todd to be an executive’s best partner. It has been my pleasure to have engaged Todd with two different organizations. Todd is well-versed in many areas of law, but by far his most amazing attribute is that he quickly understands your business and clearly communicates the issues, implications and potential solutions. He has handled many different issues for me, including general corporate issues, strategic planning, financing, SEC work and initial public offerings. As much as dealing with attorneys can be painful, Todd is easy to work with and will bring real value to your organization.
- Cletis Hoffer, former Chief Financial Officer at BioThermics
Selected Publications & Presentations
- Moderator, “Aligning Management, the Board of Directors and Strategic Planning to Maximize Every Stakeholder’s Return on Investment,” International Fuel Ethanol Workshop & Expo, June 6, 2012
- Moderator, “Hot Partnerships and Joint Ventures,” Advanced Biofuels Leadership Conference, April 2012
- “Escaping the Credit Crunch: Using Government Incentives to Finance Biomass Production,” co-authored with Emily Chad, December 2011
- “Venture Capital Due Diligence in Algae Deals,” Biorefining Magazine, October 2011
- “Managing Risks in Cofiring Contracts,” Biomass Power and Thermal Magazine, August 2011
- “Process Technology? Check. Now, Profit,” Biodiesel Magazine, May 2011
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Moderator, International BIOMASS Conference & Expo, May 2-5, 2011
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Moderator, “Attacking a Growing Municipal Solid Waste Problem via Biorefining,” Pacific West Biomass Conference,
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Speaker, “Legal Challenges to Developing Renewable Energy: Financing a Clean Technology Business the
- Moderator, “Scaling Up and Delivering to the Market,” Advanced Biofuels Markets Conference, November 10, 2010
- “Making the Most of Biomass Cogeneration Opportunities,” Biomass Power & Thermal Magazine, October 2010
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Moderator, “From Carbon Dependence to a Sustainable Energy Future:
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Profiled in the Algal Biomass Organization’s Member Spotlight, September 2010
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Co-Chair, “Power Pitch” session, 4th Annual Algae Biomass Summit,
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Session Chair and Moderator, “The Legal Perspective of Bio- Based Chemicals;” “Global Investment Trends;” “Establishing Global Standards and Regulations for Bio-Based Chemical Industry;” and “Biofuels: Developments, Sustainability, and Commercialization,” The Future of Bio-Based Chemicals - Inception to Marketplace Conference, September 13-14, 2010
- Speaker, “Towards a Refinery Model in Advanced Biofuels: Technical, Regulatory and Financial Challenges,” The Future of Bio-Based Chemicals - Inception to Marketplace Conference, September 13-14, 2010
- Speaker, “Power Pitch 101,” Algal Biomass Organization Webinar, August 17, 2010
- “Understanding Algae, Energy and the Road to Commercialization,” ABO’s Finance for Algae Conference,
- Moderator, Biofuels and Green Chemistry Panel, The Intersection of Agriculture, Chemistry, Fuels & Materials, The Collaborative Convergence Series on Cleantech, May 6, 2010
- Moderator, MSW & Urban Wastes, Emerging Technologies Panel, 2010 International Biomass Conference & Expo, May 4-6, 2010
- Speaker,
- “Great Green Hope: The Corporate Love Affair With Algae,” Biomass Magazine, April 2010
- “The Day after
Professional Activities
- Algal Biomass Organization
- American Council on Renewable Energy (ACORE)
- Founder, Minnesota CleanTech Group
- Founder, Midwest Algae Roundtable
- Board of Directors, University Enterprise Laboratories Inc.
- Judge, 2011
- National Association of Corporate Directors
- America Bar Association
- Minnesota Bar Association
- Hennepin County Bar Association
Honors & Distinctions
- 200 Minnesotans You Should Know list, Twin Cities Business Magazine, 2011
- Named to “Top 100 People in Bioenergy” by BiofuelsDigest, 2010 and 2011