Overview

Wayne is an experienced business lawyer with an industry focus in real estate and agribusiness.

Wayne draws heavily on his business and legal experience as in-house general counsel in providing practical legal solutions for his clients. He guides clients through day-to-day legal and business issues and represents them at key business milestones, including real estate transactions, financing, construction and other commercial transactions.

Wayne grew up on a family farm, has substantial experience in agriculture and carries a deep understanding of the issues that affect agricultural producers and agribusinesses.

Prior to rejoining the firm, Wayne was general counsel of a real estate investment management company, an affiliated property management company and two real estate investment trusts (REITs), where he worked on acquisitions, dispositions, leasing and development of a billion-dollar real estate portfolio. He also previously served as senior vice president and general counsel of a regional Farm Credit System institution involved in all aspects of agricultural lending and finance.

Services

Experience

  • General Counsel with overall responsibility for the legal affairs of two REITs holding over a combined $1 billion of primarily multifamily, office and industrial properties in over a dozen states, including acquisitions, dispositions, commercial leasing, financing, construction and corporate governance.
  • Represented a technology company in the purchase and financing of manufacturing and office space in the North Dakota State University Research and Technology Park.
  • Buyer’s counsel in the acquisition of 5,403 acres of North Dakota irrigated farmland.
  • Buy and sell side representation in transactions for the purchase and sale of commercial grain elevators.
  • North Dakota counsel for several transactions in the Williston Basin, including acquisitions of a crude oil terminal, produced water pipelines and a saltwater disposal well.
  • Outside counsel to a North Dakota REIT in multiple mortgage loan financing transactions.

Credentials

Education

  • University of Minnesota Law School, J.D., 1991, cum laude
  • North Dakota State University, B.S. in Economics, 1988, with honors

Admissions

  • Minnesota
  • North Dakota

Recognition

  • Lawyer of the Year–Fargo Corporate Law, The Best Lawyers in America, 2017
  • Chambers USA: America’s Leading Lawyers for Business, North Dakota - Corporate/Commercial, 2015-2018

Civic & Professional

Professional Activities

  • State Bar Association of North Dakota
  • Fargo Moorhead Trailbuilders, Board of Directors

News & Insights

Publications & Presentations

"North Dakota Loosens Corporate Farming Restrictions," FredNews, July 6, 2023

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