Date: June 21, 2007
Contact: Kelly Griffith, Marketing Manager
Phone:
(612) 492-7514
Email: kgriffith@fredlaw.com
For Immediate Release
Fredrikson & Byron Hires Five Energy Attorneys and Opens New Bismarck, North Dakota Office
Minneapolis, MN June 21, 2007 – – Fredrikson & Byron, P.A. announced today that five attorneys have joined the firm, establishing a new Bismarck, North Dakota office. The new attorneys are Lawrence Bender, Timothy Kingstad, William Pearce, Jeffrey Glynn, and Kerrie Farrell. All but Kingstad are former members of the Pearce & Durick firm in Bismarck. The five attorneys bring an established energy practice and are joined by three staff members.
Bender will head Fredrikson’s Bismarck office, which focuses primarily on representing clients in the Energy industry. Attorneys in the office will combine their expertise with that of the attorneys in Fredrikson & Byron’s Minneapolis office to represent electric utilities, independent power producers, gas and oil pipeline companies, oil and gas exploration companies, wind developers, ethanol and biodiesel producers, and other participants in the energy sector. The group has substantial experience in managing the development, financing, acquisition, and divestiture of large energy assets.
As the sixth largest energy producer in the country, North Dakota has a strong presence within the industry, and having an office in the state provides Fredrikson’s clients with immediate access to important connections and developments. “Fredrikson & Byron’s expansion into North Dakota with this team of attorneys is a strong addition to our existing energy practice,” said John Koneck, President of Fredrikson & Byron. “We are pleased to have someone of Lawrence’s caliber, with strong industry connections, join us to expand this key area. Our energy clients will benefit from their knowledge and experience, and their clients will benefit from our broader platform of services.”
Fredrikson & Byron is a sponsor of the North Dakota Trade Office (NDTO) and was the recipient of the North Dakota Trade Office’s 2006 International Business Resources Award. The firm was selected for its continued commitment to North Dakota’s exporters via the NDTO. Through our work with the NDTO and the state’s business community, we are helping to grow the state’s economy through export.
Lawrence Bender heads the Bismarck office. Lawrence has deep roots in his home state of North Dakota and the Energy industry, and has focused his practice on the oil and gas industry throughout his career. He has served as Assistant Attorney General of the State of North Dakota and as Counsel for the North Dakota Industrial Commission, Oil & Gas Division, and the North Dakota Board of University & School Lands. This experience has given him first-hand knowledge of the regulation of oil and gas companies in the state and the region. Lawrence is admitted to practice in North Dakota, South Dakota and Minnesota. Bender is joined by the following attorneys:
Timothy Kingstad joins the firm as of counsel. Kingstad is a 1980 University of Minnesota Law School graduate who has practiced in North Dakota throughout his legal career. He has a broad background in the energy industry, including oil and gas drilling, division order, mortgage and acquisition title opinions covering fee, federal and state lands in North Dakota, drafting of deeds, mineral deeds, lease and overriding royalty assignments, stipulations and other curative documents. Tim served as the North Dakota State Land Commissioner in Bismarck, North Dakota from 1985 to 1993, and is admitted to practice in North Dakota, the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals, U.S. District Court, District of North Dakota.
William Pearce, of counsel, brings over 35 years of experience to the North Dakota office. William has been engaged in the private practice of law in Bismarck since 1971, specializing in natural resources law and taxation and public utility law. He is the author of “Surface Damages and the Oil and Gas Operator in North Dakota,” 58 N.D.L.Rev. 457 (1982), and from 1983-1993 and 2007 to present has served as adjunct professor of oil and gas law for the University of North Dakota School of Law.
Two associates have joined the North Dakota office: Jeffrey Glynn is a 2006 Creighton University Law School graduate, admitted to practice in North Dakota. Jeffrey practices in the areas of oil and gas law and real estate. Kerrie Farrell is a 2006 University of North Dakota Law School graduate, admitted to practice in North Dakota. Kerrie also practices in the areas of oil and gas law and real estate.
Fredrikson & Byron is a 200-plus attorney law firm based in Minneapolis, with offices in Bismarck, Des Moines, London and Monterrey, Mexico. The firm’s primary areas of practice include banking, corporate, employment, franchise, government relations, healthcare, intellectual property, international, litigation, real estate, securities, tax and wind energy. We serve a broad range of clients, including multinational corporations, public companies, privately-held businesses, entrepreneurs, government agencies, and family businesses. Fredrikson attorneys also work with individuals on estate planning, family law, and immigration matters. We are the exclusive Minnesota law firm member of the World Services Group, a worldwide network of professional service providers. More information about the firm is available at www.fredlaw.com.