Fredrikson & Byron Expands Regional Capabilities with New Minnesota Office

Fredrikson & Byron continues to solidify its position as the leading law firm in the upper Midwest by opening a new office in Mankato, Minnesota. Joining the firm, effective February 28, 2019, are transactional business attorneys Jessica A. Buchert, Michael P. Jacobs, David M. Naples and Randy J. Zellmer.

“All bring outstanding reputations representing private and public companies and family businesses in a wide variety of industries, including manufacturing, agribusiness, financial services and energy industries,” said Melodie Rose, Chair of Fredrikson & Byron’s Corporate Division. She added, “Our clients will benefit from their expertise as well as their ability to provide efficient, effective and results-oriented legal services at a significant value compared to our competitors.”

“Having known Fredrikson & Byron for many years, we’ve always been impressed with their high caliber of work and entrepreneurial approach,” said Jacobs. “We are excited to join this talented firm and be a part of its growth.”

John Koneck, President of Fredrikson & Byron, commented, “Our growth strategy is simple. Whether welcoming a single lawyer or opening a new office, we focus on building the best team of talented, approachable and client-focused lawyers. Our reputation as the firm “where law and business meet” is founded on the excellent work of lawyers like our new colleagues in Mankato. Our firm and clients will benefit greatly from these new lawyers joining us, and our new office in Mankato will help us better serve our clients in our region and beyond.”

Buchert partners with business owners, investors and lenders throughout the Midwest region and the nation, establishing and navigating their unique business and legal needs. A trusted advisor to both start-up and growth companies, Buchert serves as on-demand corporate counsel to her clients in a broad range of legal issues as they arise, including mergers and acquisitions, corporate structure and governance issues, debt and equity financings, real estate and lending matters, and strategic business planning. Buchert has particular experience representing clients in the industries of real estate development, agriculture, manufacturing and multi-unit franchising.

Jacobs advises start-up companies, closely held businesses, larger private and publicly traded companies with business, transactional, M&A, financing and commercial real estate matters. He regularly provides clients strategic corporate counsel, including on business structuring and governance issues, capital raising through private equity offerings, shareholder agreements and disputes, and succession planning. Jacobs often provides outside general counsel services to clients in key areas including SEC compliance, employment, benefits, patent/trademark, government relations and litigation matters. Jacobs has led many multimillion dollar transactions in a variety of industries including manufacturing, telecommunications, agribusiness, energy and professional services, representing both buyers and sellers of public and private companies. He also works with clients on financing matters and negotiates acquisition, construction and permanent loan financing for many transactions. Jacobs also assists banks, regional and national developers, and retailers with commercial real estate sale, purchase and development transactions.

Naples advises entrepreneurs, families and multi-generational businesses on wealth, business and succession planning. With an LL.M. in taxation, experience at a big four accounting firm and more than 25 years of practicing law, Naples has a thorough understanding of the challenges that family and closely held businesses encounter. He assists clients with critical tasks such as formation, ownership and transition, governance, management, executive compensation, operations, key contractual relationships, merger, acquisition, financing, restructuring, divestiture and succession. Naples also guides clients through the transfer of family-owned business and other assets between generations. He helps businesses strategically structure their transactions in a way that is both flexible and tax efficient, and he assists families in effectively minimizing taxes while enhancing family wealth.

Zellmer negotiates transactions and resolves disputes involving real estate, trusts, estates and commercial matters. His practice focuses on commercial real estate, estate planning, probate and general business matters. Zellmer advises clients from a variety of industries, including developers, banks, agriculture, mining and retailers. As a certified Real Property Law Specialist of the Minnesota State Bar Association’s Real Property Section, he has expertise in negotiating purchase, sale, lease, development, finance and construction deals. In his estate planning practice, he helps clients minimize or eliminate the estate taxes incurred in the transition of family assets and businesses to the next generation. Additionally, Zellmer advises clients on general business and corporate matters, including corporate counseling, organizational and governance issues, business structuring, shareholder agreements and disputes, succession planning and ongoing strategic matters.

Fredrikson & Byron is a 275-attorney law firm based in Minneapolis, with offices in Bismarck, Des Moines, Fargo, Mankato, St. Paul, Saltillo, Mexico, and Shanghai, China. Fredrikson & Byron has 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. More information about the firm is available at www.fredlaw.com. Follow us on LinkedIn and on Twitter @FredriksonLaw.