News

Attorney Usman Liaqat has joined Fredrikson as a senior associate in its Mergers & Acquisitions, Private Equity and Corporate Governance groups.

Patrick J. Kelly has been selected by his peers for inclusion in the 2024 edition of The Best Lawyers in Mexico™ for International Trade and Finance.

Fredrikson reaffirms its commitment to a diverse, inclusive and respectful workplace and to human dignity for all.

Fredrikson senior government relations specialist Andy G. Pomroy has been inducted into the Southern Minnesota Regional Legal Services (SMRLS) Justice Matters Alliance.

Fredrikson earned 100 of 100 possible points on the 2023-2024 Corporate Equality Index, achieving the designation as an “Equality 100 Award: Leaders in LGBTQ+ inclusion” recipient.

Fredrikson welcomes back attorney Jeffrey T. Glynn to the firm’s Oil & Gas and Energy & Natural Resources groups.

Attorney Trevor J. Yedoni has joined Fredrikson as an associate in its Mergers & Acquisitions Group.

Attorney Meaghan Kwan has joined Fredrikson as a senior associate in its Mergers & Acquisitions, Private Equity and Corporate Governance groups.

Attorney William P. Hefner has joined Fredrikson as an officer in its Environmental Law, Energy & Natural Resources and Energy Litigation groups.

Fredrikson has been named a Tier 1 Metropolitan Best Law Firms® in 41 practice areas in 2024.

The Minnesota Chamber of Commerce has named Fredrikson as a 2023 Keystone Honored Company, an annual award recognizing businesses that have made extraordinary contributions within their community.

Fredrikson announces the addition of nine new attorneys to the firm’s Minneapolis office.

Attorney Jackson G. O’Brien has joined Fredrikson as an associate in its Litigation, Construction and Real Estate & Construction groups.

Attorney Jennifer T. Smith has joined Fredrikson in the Energy & Natural Resources and Real Estate & Construction groups.

Fredrikson attorneys Joseph Dixon and Todd A. Wind were recognized for their accomplishments, hard work, ingenuity and outstanding work ethic and were included in Minnesota Lawyer’s POWER 30 in Business Litigation.

Attorney Austin H. Artz has joined Fredrikson as an associate in the Oil & Gas and Energy & Natural Resources groups. Artz provides representation and practical advice to companies in the oil and gas industry.

Fredrikson is proud to announce it has again achieved Mansfield Certification for large law firms in 2023.

Attorney Katherine A. Nixon has joined Fredrikson as an associate in its Bankruptcy, Restructuring & Workouts Group.

Attorney Kelcy Whitaker has joined Fredrikson’s Des Moines office as an associate in the Litigation Group.

Attorney Chris Storey has joined Fredrikson as an officer in its Energy & Natural Resources, Energy Regulation & Permitting and Renewable Energy groups.

Attorney Emily E. Moss has joined Fredrikson as an associate in its Corporate and Public Companies & Capital Markets groups. 

Attorney Megan M. Massie has joined Fredrikson as an associate in the Litigation Group.

Fredrikson president Melodie R. Rose has been named a 2023 Notable Woman in Law by Twin Cities Business.

Attorney Shantal Pai has joined Fredrikson in its Energy Litigation, Energy Regulation & Permitting and Litigation groups.

Attorney Emani Marshall-Loving has joined Fredrikson as an associate in the Litigation Group.

Fredrikson, one of the largest and fastest growing law firms in the region, announces a new president and leadership team, ushering in a next era of innovative leadership and vision for the firm.

Fredrikson attorney Gregory E. Karpenko has become a Fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers.

Attorney Erik Money has rejoined Fredrikson in its Business Litigation practice after serving as a judicial law clerk to the Honorable Carlos Bea, U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit. 

For the tenth consecutive year, Fredrikson has received national recognition for its status as one of the best U.S. law firms for female attorneys, according to a recently published Law360 survey.  

Fredrikson shareholder Masha M. Yevzelman has been selected as an honoree for the Minnesota Lawyer Top Women in Law awards.

Attorney Manda M. Sertich has joined Fredrikson as an officer in its Litigation, White Collar & Regulatory Defense and Internal Investigations groups.

Attorney Krista A. P. Hatcher has rejoined Fredrikson as a shareholder in its Employment, Labor & Benefits Group. Hatcher uses her legal knowledge, love of working with people and perspective as a former in-house attorney to provide practical and effective solutions to employers. 

Fredrikson shareholders have recently elected Alethea M. Huyser and reelected Lisa M. Agrimonti and John S. Parzych to serve on The Fredrikson & Byron Foundation board of directors. 

Fredrikson has elected nine new shareholders: Nadja Baer, Andrew Holm, Alex Kron, Barbara Marchevsky, Amanda Mills, Zachary Pratt, Spencer Ptacek, Anne Rondoni Tavernier and David Streier.

Attorney Leakhena Au has joined Fredrikson as an associate in the Energy & Natural Resources, Energy Regulation & Permitting and Environmental Law groups.

Fredrikson attorneys Frank B. Bennett and Sean P. Kearney are featured in “Spotlight on 10 most Influential Corporate/M&A Lawyers in Minnesota’s Landscape” by Business Today.

Fredrikson senior associate Roxanne N. Thorelli has been awarded the 2022-2023 Outstanding New Lawyer of the Year Award by the Minnesota State Bar Association.

Attorney Jack Reed has joined Fredrikson as an associate in the Energy & Natural Resources, Renewable Energy, Real Estate & Construction, Cooperatives and Commercial Law groups.

Attorney Riley Conlin has joined Fredrikson in the Energy & Natural Resources and Energy Regulation & Permitting groups.

Fredrikson acted as legal counsel to Bushel, the leading digital platform connecting farmers and agribusinesses, to successfully close an oversubscribed $26 million funding round from new and existing investors. 

One hundred and thirty Fredrikson attorneys were named by Best Lawyers® in its 2024 ranking reports. Eighty-eight Fredrikson attorneys were recognized in The Best Lawyers in America© and 42 Fredrikson attorneys in The Best Lawyers in America: Ones to Watch© 2024. Six of these attorneys were also named a “Lawyer of the Year.” 

Fredrikson attorneys Grant D. Fairbairn, Thomas R. Hipkins, Ann M. Ladd, Paul J. LaVanway, Kurt J. Niederluecke, Charles D. Segelbaum and David C. West are featured in the 2023 edition of the IAM Patent 1000: The World’s Leading Patent Professionals.

Fredrikson announces the hiring of chief human resources officer, Rachael Sullivan.

Fredrikson senior associate Natasha Townes Robinson has been awarded the 2023 National Bar Association Women Lawyers Division Outstanding Young Lawyer Award.

Attorney Kathryn Atkinson Overberg has joined Fredrikson in the Employment, Labor & Benefits and Internal Investigation groups.

Attorney Molly Leisen has joined Fredrikson as an associate in the Environmental Law, Energy & Natural Resources and Energy Regulation & Permitting groups.

Fredrikson shareholder Brett F. Roberts was appointed by Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds and earlier this year confirmed by the Iowa Senate to the State Judicial Nominating Commission.

Fredrikson’s Senior Graphic Designer, Luis R. Martinez, has been named a 2023 Unsung Legal Hero by Minnesota Lawyer.

Fredrikson litigation attorney Natasha Townes Robinson has been named a 2023 Up & Coming Attorney by Minnesota Lawyer.

Fredrikson’s Trusts & Estates Group was ranked Band 1 in Private Wealth Law in Minnesota and North Dakota in the Chambers High Net Worth Guide 2023 edition.

Attorney David Woger has joined Fredrikson as an associate in the Mergers & Acquisitions, Private Equity and Corporate Governance groups.

Attorney Douglass B. Hiatt has joined Fredrikson in its Bank & Finance, Mergers & Acquisitions, Corporate Governance and Banking & Financial Services Litigation groups.

Attorney Robin M. Radke has joined Fredrikson in the Debt Finance, Bank & Finance, Private Equity, Mergers & Acquisitions, Finance & Securities and Corporate groups.

Fredrikson shareholder Mercedes McFarland Jackson has been nominated for the 2023 National Bar Association Women Lawyers Division Outstanding Minority Partner in Majority Firm Award.

The Iowa Supreme Court has appointed Fredrikson shareholder Brandon R. Underwood as a member of the state’s Commission on Continuing Legal Education.

Super Lawyers recognized 25 Fredrikson attorneys as 2023 Minnesota Super Lawyers and 17 attorneys as Minnesota Rising Stars.

Christian V. Hokans has rejoined Fredrikson as a senior associate in its Real Estate & Construction, Litigation, Real Estate Litigation and Investment Management groups.

Fredrikson welcomes back attorney Kerrie L. Farrell to the firm’s Oil & Gas and Energy & Natural Resources groups.

Fredrikson served as legal counsel to Stone Goff Capital, a private equity firm focused on tech-driven B2B service companies, in its majority investment in BigScoots, a managed hosting service provider.

Fredrikson announces the hiring of chief financial officer, Morshed Alam.

Fredrikson shareholders, Mercedes McFarland Jackson and Asmah Tareen, recently graduated from the third cohort of a board training program established by Women Corporate Directors’ Minnesota Chapter. 

Attorney Wes Eikmeier has joined Fredrikson as an associate in the Mergers & Acquisitions and Private Equity groups.

Fredrikson senior immigration attorney Matthew P. Webster has been elected Chapter Chair of the American Immigration Lawyers Association for Minnesota and the Dakotas. 

Fredrikson Conflicts and Ethics Counsel Cassie Hanson has been appointed chair of the Minnesota State Bar Association Professional Regulation Committee.

Fredrikson welcomes back attorney Deborah Walker Kool to the firm’s Start Up & Rapid Growth Enterprises (SURGE), Venture Capital & Angel Financing, Corporate, Finance & Securities and Mergers & Acquisitions groups.

Fredrikson shareholder Masha Yevzelman has been appointed to the Jewish Family Services of St. Paul Board of Directors.

The Minnesota State Bar Association has recognized 62 Fredrikson attorneys as North Star Lawyers.

Fredrikson Government Relations Specialist Cody J. Holliday has been elected to the St. Anthony Area Chamber of Commerce.

Litigation attorney Joseph T. Dixon, III was named a 2023 BTI Client Service All-Star. Based on more than 350 independent interviews with top legal decision makers, this national ranking recognizes attorneys who have mastered the art of superior client service. Only 293 attorneys in the U.S. were selected for recognition in 2023.

Fredrikson has been named a finalist in the law firm category of the 2023 Best of Business Awards by Twin Cities Business. The annual survey of executives and decision-makers recognizes one winner and two finalists in each category to honor favored and respected local businesses.

Fredrikson, one of the largest and fastest growing law firms in the region, has moved its Minneapolis office into the 60 South Sixth building. The firm occupies eight floors in newly renovated space that provides state-of-the-art technology and workspace amenities that allow the firm to continue to provide exceptional and efficient services to clients.

The Advocates for Human Rights has awarded Fredrikson with a 2023 Law Firm Pro Bono Award for its long-term commitment to pro bono and for involving the entire firm in its pro bono efforts.

Super Lawyers named 10 Fredrikson attorneys to the list of Great Plains Super Lawyers and included six attorneys on the list of Great Plains Rising Stars.

Chambers USA: America’s Leading Lawyers for Business, an annual legal guide identifying the top attorneys and law firms in the United States, ranked 12 practice areas and 26 individual attorneys from Fredrikson in its 2023 edition.

Attorney Delanie M. Breuer has joined Fredrikson as an officer in its Energy & Natural Resources, Energy Regulation & Permitting, Environmental Law, Energy Litigation and Renewable Energy groups.

Fredrikson attorney Navita T. Lakhram has been appointed to the Twin Cities Diversity in Practice and Wanton Injustice Legal Detail board of directors, in her capacity as co-chair of TCDIP’s Emerging Leader’s Group.

Fredrikson attorney Mary Beth Peranteau recently received a commendation from the State Bar of Wisconsin for her article, “Riparian Rights in Wisconsin,” published in the November 2022 edition of the Wisconsin Lawyer. The commendation appears in the May 2023 edition of Wisconsin Lawyer.

Fredrikson attorney Mark Vyvyan has been awarded Volunteer of the Year by Volunteer Lawyers Network. VLN presents this award to Vyvyan due to his deep and long-term commitment to pro bono work in the area of housing and litigation. 

Attorney Kara M. Lillehaug has joined Fredrikson in its Litigation and White Collar & Regulatory Defense groups. Lillehaug is an experienced litigator who has tried over a dozen cases and argued before appellate courts.

Fredrikson welcomes attorneys Michael D. Currie, Nicci M. Ledbetter and Alex C. Rice to the firm’s Des Moines office.

Fredrikson attorney Brian McCool has been elected a Fellow of the American College of Real Estate Lawyers.

Fredrikson attorneys Brian McCool, Alyssa Troje and Mark Vyvyan were recognized for their accomplishments, ingenuity and outstanding work ethic and were included in Minnesota Lawyer’s POWER 30 in Construction and Real Estate. Honorees were selected by Minnesota Lawyer’s editorial team who conducted interviews with respected professionals around the state of Minnesota.

Fredrikson welcomes attorney Geoffrey W.B. Koslig to the firm’s Health Law, Health Care Fraud & Compliance, False Claims Act Defense, White Collar & Regulatory Defense, Internal Investigations and Litigation groups.

Litigation attorney Natasha Townes Robinson has been included in The National Black Lawyers Top 40 Under 40 in Minnesota, honoring her as one of the nation’s best black lawyers.

Fredrikson announces the hiring of chief operating officer, Ann Rainhart. 

Fredrikson Government Relations Specialist Cody J. Holliday has been appointed as a commissioner to the Saint Anthony Village Parks and Environment Commission. The focus of the commission concentrates on the sustainable use and management of environmental resources, including air, water, energy, land, ecological resources and waste.

Shareholder Karen L. Grandstrand has been elected to her first term on the Minnesota Orchestral Association’s board of directors.

Fredrikson welcomes attorney Liz Dunshee to the firm’s Public Companies and Corporate Governance groups. 

Shareholder Karen L. Grandstrand has joined as a board member of Citizens Independent Bank.

Fredrikson attorney Masha M. Yevzelman has been elected a Fellow of the American College of Tax Counsel, a group of approximately 700 of America’s best tax attorneys. She was nominated and selected for demonstrating a high standard of excellence and ethical performance in the practice of tax.

Fredrikson attorney Tom Hipkins has been chosen as a 2023 Fellow by the Leadership Council on Legal Diversity. The Fellow program was created by the LCLD to identify, train and advance the next generation of diverse leaders in the legal profession.

Fredrikson attorneys Natasha Townes Robinson and Roger Yang have been selected for membership in the 2023 Pathfinder program by the Leadership Council on Legal Diversity.

Fredrikson is once again ranked among the most active law firms advising on merger and acquisition, private equity and venture capital deals in PitchBook’s 2022 Annual Global League Tables.

After 25 years in prison, Michael Wearry walked out of the Hunt Prison in Louisiana as a free man on February 15, 2023. 

Fredrikson shareholders, Cynthia A. Moyer, John C. Pickerill, Ann Dunn Wessberg, Courtney A. H. Thompson and Laura L. Myers have been named in the 2023 edition of the World Trademark Review 1000: The World’s Leading Trademark Professionals (WTR 1000) for Minnesota.

Government Relations Specialist Bennett Smith has joined Fredrikson in its Government Relations Group. Smith uses sophisticated knowledge of Minnesota politics and government through his experience as legislative staff at the state and federal level to support clients.

Fredrikson welcomes back attorney Wayne W. Carlson to the firm’s Corporate, Real Estate & Construction, Food & Agribusiness and Cooperatives groups.

Fredrikson served as legal counsel to Astara Capital Partners, a middle-market private equity firm, in its majority investment in Wyandot Snacks, an Ohio-based contract manufacturer of snack foods, cereals and other offerings.

Fredrikson attorneys Frank B. Bennett, Ryan C. Brauer, Christopher J. Dolan, Leigh-Erin Irons, Sean P. Kearney and Ryan G. Miest have been selected by Minnesota Lawyer as POWER 30 Top M&A Attorneys for Minnesota in 2023.

Fredrikson is saddened to announce the unexpected death of Robert J. Hamilton, its chief operating officer, on January 15, 2023.

Fredrikson shareholder and president John M. Koneck has been recognized as one of Minnesota’s most powerful business leaders in the 2022 edition of the Minnesota 500. Executives named on the Minnesota 500 are chosen from more than 7,000 impactful candidates throughout the state.

The Minnesota Supreme Court has appointed Fredrikson attorney Karen G. Schanfield to the state’s Commission on Judicial Selection. Schanfield will serve a four-year term beginning January 8, 2023.

Attorney Ryan Cox has joined Fredrikson in its Energy & Natural Resources, Energy Regulation & Permitting and Commercial Law groups. Cox brings industry intelligence to clients pursuing cutting-edge energy development.

Fredrikson acted as legal counsel to Carlson Private Capital Partners (CPC), an investment firm formed by the Minnesota-based Carlson family, in its investment in Thermo Systems, a global automation control systems integrator for applications across the data center, life sciences and district energy end markets.

Attorney Claire H. Padgett has joined Fredrikson’s Energy & Natural Resources Group.

Fredrikson was recently honored by Diversity & Flexibility Alliance as a 2022 Tipping the Scales firm. Fredrikson is one of just 57 firms recognized for having 50 percent or more women in its 2022 U.S.-based new partner classes.

Fredrikson announces the addition of 12 new attorneys.

Fredrikson has been named a Tier 1 Metropolitan “Best Law Firm” in 41 practice areas by U.S. News – Best Lawyers® in 2023.

Attorney Katlyn M. Korsakov has joined Fredrikson's Trusts & Estates Group.

Fredrikson attorneys Terrence J. Fleming, David R. Marshall and Todd A. Wind were recognized for their accomplishments, hard work, ingenuity and outstanding work ethic and were included in Minnesota Lawyer’s POWER 30 in Business Litigation.

Attorneys Zachary S. McFarland and Thomas Wheeler have rejoined Fredrikson & Byron in its Litigation Group. McFarland rejoins Fredrikson after serving as a clerk to Judge John R. Tunheim of the U.S. District Court for the District of Minnesota. Wheeler rejoins Fredrikson following a clerkship with Judge Susan Richard Nelson of the United States District Court for the District of Minnesota.

Fredrikson & Byron has announced the results of the 2022 board elections.

Attorney Matthew P. Kopp has joined Fredrikson & Byron’s Fargo office in its Litigation Group. Kopp helps clients navigate complex business disputes.

Fredrikson & Byron has achieved Mansfield 5.0 Certification Plus status.

Fredrikson & Byron has been named a 2022 Compass Award winner by the Leadership Council on Legal Diversity.

Minneapolis attorney Cody M. Bauer has joined Fredrikson & Byron’s Energy Group.

Minneapolis attorney Panhia Vang has joined Fredrikson & Byron’s Litigation Group.

Fredrikson & Byron was recently named one of Iowa’s Top Workplaces by The Des Moines Register and Energage. Just 139 businesses in the state are given this recognition. The surveyed companies employ more than 50,500 people in Iowa. Fredrikson was the only law firm recognized in the small employer category.

Minneapolis attorney Vanessa Johnson has joined Fredrikson & Byron’s Energy, Environment Law, Energy Regulation & Permitting and Energy Litigation groups.

Fredrikson & Byron shareholder Bridget R. Penick has been named president of the board of directors of Ballet Des Moines for 2022-2023.

For the ninth consecutive year, Fredrikson & Byron received national recognition for its status as one of the best U.S. law firms for female attorneys, according to two recently published Law360 surveys.

Fredrikson has elected 16 new shareholders: Marguerite J. Ahmann, F. Charles Bennett, Zhu “June” Cheng, Dominick J. Grande, Alethea M. Huyser, Jade B. Jorgenson, Benjamin C. Neitzel, Andrew M. Nick, Carl J. Numrich, Jeri L. Parkin, Jordan S. Rife, Gauri S. Samant, Alyssa M. Troje, Amanda L. Welters, Chantal M. Wilson and Ryan C. Young.

Fredrikson & Byron attorney Bridget R. Penick has been appointed to serve on the Iowa State Bar Association’s (ISBA) Ways and Means Committee for the 2022-2023 fiscal year.

Attorney Elizabeth N. Thomson has joined Fredrikson & Byron as an associate in the Litigation Group.

Minneapolis attorney Sarah B. Bennett joined Fredrikson & Byron as an officer in the Real Estate, Corporate & Securities, Bank & Finance and Mergers & Acquisitions Groups.

Minneapolis attorney Travis R. Panneck joined Fredrikson & Byron as an associate in the Bank & Finance Group.

Fredrikson & Byron attorney Jodie McDougal has been re-appointed to serve a second term as chair of the Iowa State Bar Association’s (ISBA) Construction Law Section Council for the 2022-2023 fiscal year.

Super Lawyers named 11 Fredrikson & Byron attorneys to the list of 2022 Great Plains Super Lawyers and included two Fredrikson attorneys on the list of 2022 Great Plains Rising Stars.

Fredrikson & Byron’s Trusts & Estates Group was ranked Band 1 in Private Wealth Law in Minnesota and North Dakota in the Chambers High Net Worth Guide 2022 edition.

Super Lawyers recognized 29 Fredrikson attorneys as 2022 Minnesota Super Lawyers and 15 attorneys as Minnesota Rising Stars.

Fredrikson attorneys Mark W. Vyvyan, Brian S. McCool, John M. Koneck and Alyssa M. Troje were recognized for their accomplishments, hard work, ingenuity and outstanding work ethic and were included in Minnesota Lawyer’s POWER 30 in Construction and Commercial Real Estate.

Fredrikson has announced the expansion of its Government Relations Group in Iowa with the addition of Counsel, Logan Murray, and Specialist, Angela J. Caulk. Murray and Caulk join Noah J. Tabor and Linda L. Upmeyer, increasing the group’s strength and capacity to serve clients in Iowa.

Minneapolis attorney Jeremy P. Greenhouse has joined Fredrikson & Byron as a shareholder in the Environment Law, Energy and Energy Regulation & Permitting Groups.

The Minnesota State Bar Association (MSBA) recognized 49 Fredrikson attorneys as North Star Lawyers.

Employment & Labor attorney Karen G. Schanfield has been given the 2022 Leonard Lindquist Distinguished Practice Award by the Minnesota State Bar Association Labor & Employment Law Section.

Fredrikson & Byron shareholder Lousene M. Hoppe has been named a 2022 Notable Partner in Law by Twin Cities Business.