Katherine Nixon and Tash Van Lieshout Named Up & Coming Attorneys

Fredrikson attorneys Katherine A. Nixon and Tash S. Van Lieshout were named 2026 Up & Coming Attorneys by Minnesota Lawyer.

The award honors attorneys who are within their first 10 years of practice and have already distinguished themselves through their legal work and leadership skills.

After just three years as an associate bankruptcy attorney, Nixon is making a name for herself through appearances in state and federal court, engagement with professional committees and organizations, and keen leadership skills.

“What makes Katherine a rising star is not only her talent, but her deep commitment to bankruptcy law as a lifelong practice,” Fredrikson Bankruptcy Group Chair Steven R. Kinsella said. “She constantly seeks opportunities to learn, grow and better serve her clients. She not only excels in her practice, but also actively pursues leadership opportunities, demonstrating a desire to make a meaningful impact on the bankruptcy profession."

Van Lieshout has impressed those around her since she began practicing law in Fredrikson's Mergers and Acquisitions Group in 2019. A veteran investment banker described her as “the best M&A associate I’ve ever worked with,” based on her ability to identify critical issues in complex transaction documents.

"Tash is a trusted and respected colleague whose leadership is regularly sought on some of Fredrikson's most complex transactions," Fredrikson Mergers & Acquisitions Group Co-Chair Ryan G. Miest said. "Her impact on the firm extends well beyond her legal practice. She is an exceptional collaborator and mentor, generously sharing her knowledge and experience to help develop the next generation of M&A attorneys."

Nixon and Van Lieshout will be recognized along with all the Minnesota Lawyer Up & Coming Attorneys honorees at a Friday, September 11 event.

Fredrikson & Byron is a leading Midwest law firm working collaboratively to help businesses achieve their goals regionally, nationally and globally. With a reputation as the firm “where law and business meet,” our attorneys bring business acumen and entrepreneurial thinking to work with clients and operate as business advisors and strategic partners as well as legal counselors. The firm’s 425 attorneys serve clients from offices in Minnesota, Iowa, North Dakota, Wisconsin, Mexico and China. Learn more at fredlaw.com or LinkedIn.