Justin helps business owners and multi-generational families meet their business objectives and succession planning goals. His personal experience working in his family's business gives him the insight to assist clients every step of the way.
Overview
Justin's practice focuses on corporate law, mergers and acquisitions, business succession planning and estate planning. He regularly advises privately-held and family businesses, business owners who serve in an executive or management role, and in-house counsel on all aspects of business formation, mergers and acquisitions and purchases and sales of their businesses. He also provides guidance on day-to-day legal issues, including corporate governance, shareholder relationships, negotiating and drafting agreements, and other general corporate matters. Working with a diverse portfolio of businesses, from startups to later-stage companies to mature enterprises, Justin has the practical experience, knowledge and businesslike approach required to resolve the complex legal needs for his clients, thus allowing them to effectively and efficiently position themselves for success and business growth.
Experience
Closes multi-million-dollar merger and acquisition transactions involving complex deal and legal issues;
Drafts and negotiates multi-million-dollar mission critical commercial agreements on behalf of clients, including manufacturing agreements, supply agreements, services agreements and distribution agreements;
Structures and drafts complex shareholder and succession planning agreements while navigating difficult family dynamics and challenging estate planning issues;
Serves as outside counsel and first call when legal issues arise for a number of Minnesota’s most recognizable private and family businesses, providing guidance in areas including contracting, financing, distribution, employment and regulatory issues.
Representative Experience:
General Counsel and Commercial Representation
Represents one of the world’s largest distributors of electronic components in all aspects of their business, including negotiation of vendor and distribution relationships, contract review and control, corporate structuring and entrance into foreign markets.
Counsels board of directors and manages corporate governance for a large upper Midwest truck dealer and leasing company.
Has served as outside counsel to multiple personnel staffing and consulting firms, including representation from early formation through sale of the business.
Mergers and Acquisitions
Negotiates and closes several M&A transactions each year across diverse industries, including professional services, personnel staffing, technology, manufacturing, distribution and auto and truck.
Succession and Exit Planning
Successfully represented a large and disparate family ownership group in restructuring the corporate governance and ownership agreements governing a series of multi-family housing projects.
Represented a large privately held construction contractor through a complex exit strategy built around selling equity to existing management group.
Regularly represents business owners (both controlling and minority) in navigating partnership/shareholder relationships.
Auto and Truck
Successfully closed one of the largest dollar value automotive sales and services dealership M&A transactions in Minnesota history.
Represents a diverse portfolio of auto and truck clients in manufacturer relations and dealership franchise law.
News & Insights
News
Professional & Civic Activities
Professional & Civic Activities
American Bar Association
Minnesota State Bar Association
Practices & Industries
Admissions
- Minnesota
Education
University of St. Thomas School of Law, J.D., summa cum laude, 2013
- Presidential Scholarship
Carlson School of Management, University of Minnesota, B.S.B., Finance, 2009
