Minnesota Lawyer Recognizes Dugas, Glasnovich as Up & Coming Attorneys

09.26.2023

Stinson LLP is excited to announce that attorneys Melinda Dugas and Drew Glasnovich have been selected as 2023 Up & Coming Attorneys by Minnesota Lawyer. They were selected by judges, bar groups and fellow attorneys for their work, leadership and community service in the first 10 years of their practice.

Dugas counsels individuals and businesses in protecting their rights and maximizing outcomes in a variety of commercial real estate transactions, including leasing, purchases and sales, joint ventures and real estate development. Dugas is a Minnesota State Bar Association Board-Certified Real Property Law Specialist and clients praise her for being deal-oriented, organized and responsive. Dugas has been recognized in Minnesota State Bar Association’s North Star Lawyer’s Bench & Bar for providing 50 hours or more of pro bono legal services. She works as a pro bono attorney at the Children's Law Center of Minnesota, and served as a board member of the Minnesota Justice Foundation. Dugas also serves on the firm's Minneapolis Recruiting Committee where she is instrumental in advancing the firm’s diversity and inclusion efforts.

"Melinda is a top-notch attorney who consistently puts her clients first," Todd LaSala, chair of Stinson's Real Estate & Public Finance Division, said. "Her expanding practice is a testament to her unwavering dedication, making her an invaluable asset to our division and to the firm as a whole."

Glasnovich develops and executes innovative strategies, tailored specifically for creditors' committees, secured creditors, equipment finance companies and financial institutions. As a zealous advocate for survivors, he has uncovered unreported estate assets, analyzed complex strategies to liquidate real property and other fixed assets, and negotiated complex plan provisions. Glasnovich served on a Stinson team representing the Official Committee of Unsecured Creditors in the Chapter 11 bankruptcy of the Archbishop of Agaña, in a case involving the Archdiocese of Agaña, 33 of its parishes and schools and more than 280 survivors of clergy sexual assault. Glasnovich dedicates significant time to pro bono causes, providing invaluable guidance to residential tenants regarding their rights and available recourse in eviction cases and other pivotal housing-related legal matters. His work helped earn the firm the recognition of Housing Law Firm of the Year by the Volunteer Lawyers Network in 2018. Glasnovich has also served as chair of the firm's LGBTQ Employee Resource Group where he assisted the firm in recruiting and retaining LGBTQ attorneys and staff.

"Drew's drive, innate problem-solving skills and dogged persistence are unusual and serve our clients very well," Ed Caldie, co-chair of Stinson's Bankruptcy and Creditors Rights Division, said. "I am consistently impressed by the care and intelligence that Drew brings to the division. Making a positive impact for his clients matters to Drew personally, and collaborating with him as a colleague is an absolute pleasure."

Both Dugas and Glasnovich served on a Stinson team representing in a groundbreaking transaction that led to the recognition of the  Transaction of the Year Award by the Minnesota Chapter of the Turnaround Management Association. The transaction involved the former headquarters building for Thor Construction at the corner of Penn Avenue North and Plymouth Avenue North in North Minneapolis. Dugas, Glasnovich and team successfully safeguarded this crucial economic vision to drive commercial development in North Minneapolis.

Dugas, Glasnovich and their fellow honorees were recognized during a celebration on September 22, 2023.

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