Grace E. Manzione

With a reputation for being both a trusted advisor and a strategic-problem solver, Grace brings the full weight of Fredrikson’s experience to clients who need agile, business-savvy legal counsel.

Serving as outside general counsel to a diverse portfolio of companies, Grace does not just respond to legal issues, she anticipates them, embedding deeply into clients’ operations to provide proactive, practical guidance. Whether navigating complex contracts, corporate governance matters, equity raise strategy and implementation or regulatory compliance, Grace delivers high-impact legal solutions tailored for growth-minded businesses.

In addition to supporting companies in emerging and high-growth sectors such as biotechnology, medical technology and renewable energy, Grace also assists family offices and other closely held businesses in navigating their unique management, succession and wealth strategy needs. Grace has served as lead and associate counsel on more than 50 transactions with an aggregate value exceeding $1 billion, bringing a practical, business-minded approach to every deal.   

Corporate Governance

• Drafted organizational documents including bylaws, operating agreements, stockholder agreements, buy-sell agreements, stock redemption agreements and voting agreements
• Structured and drafted employee stock purchase plans

Corporate Transactions

• Represented a bio-tech company in its series A-2 financing round
• Represented a prosthetics start-up company in its seed financing round
• Represented an insurance technology company in its series A financing round
• Represented a food product developer and manufacturer in its series A financing round
• Assisted a bank holding company in its subordinated debt private offering

Other

• Represented multiple SaaS companies with negotiating data processing agreements and customer service contracts
• Drafted a MAP policy and reseller agreement for a commercial product developer

Education

• University of Iowa College of Law, J.D., 2020
• Iowa State University, B.A., 2016, summa cum laude

Admissions

• Iowa, 2020

• Great Plains Super Lawyers Rising Star, Mergers & Acquisitions, 2025
• Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch, Business Organizations (including LLCs and Partnerships), 2021-2026; Privacy and Data Security Law, 2024-2026; Corporate Governance and Compliance Law, 2025-2026; Securities / Capital Markets Law, 2025-2026

Professional Activities

• American Bar Association, Member
• Iowa State Bar Association, Member
• Technology Association of Iowa, Member
• Journal of Corporation Law, Note and Comment Editor, 2019-2020
• Iowa Supreme Court Access to Justice Commission, Volunteer, 2017-2018