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Phone: 1.800.496.6789
 

AREAS OF PRACTICE
Administrative and Governmental Law
Our attorneys represent clients before various municipal, state and federal councils, commissions and boards, including agencies as diverse as the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency, the Interstate Commerce Commission, the Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission, the Social Security Administration, and local town boards, planning and zoning commissions and city councils. Our established relationships with local, state and federal agencies enable us to approach issues pending before them in a constructive, problem-solving manner.

Attorneys in our St. Paul office represent clients in all aspects of state and federal legislation, including drafting and tracking of bills and amendments, monitoring committee proceedings, preparation and presentation of testimony, and serving as personal liaisons with key legislators. Our experience with the legislative process gives clients an effective voice with elected representatives.

Harold A. Frederick
Robert E. Toftey
David R. Oberstar
Mary Frances Skala
Kevin T. Walli
John R. Gasele

 

Appellate Practice
We have extensive experience handling appeals for individuals, businesses, and governmental agencies. We will put our expertise and knowledge of the intricacies of appellate practice to work for you, whether or not we represented your interests at the trial court level. Our attorneys are licensed to handle appeals in all state and federal courts in Minnesota and Wisconsin and in the United State Supreme Court.

Joseph J. Mihalek
Stephanie A. Ball
Donald C. Erickson

 

Bankruptcy and Creditors' Remedies
Our attorneys assist businesses and individuals in collecting debts and protecting their claims. We deal with all aspects of bankruptcy for both individuals and businesses in Minnesota and Wisconsin. Our attorneys represent debtors seeking relief from creditors in bankruptcies under Chapters 7, 11, 12, and 13. We have extensive experience as counsel for secured creditors, unsecured creditors, and creditors' committees. Our attorneys provide counsel and strategies for the protection and collection of debts through forced refinancing, involuntary bankruptcies, garnishments, executions and other legal processes.

Shawn M. Dunlevy
Paul A. Loraas

 

Business and Tax Law
Our attorneys provide existing and emerging businesses and individuals with business and tax advice regarding every aspect of organizing, financing, operating, reorganizing, merging, acquiring and selling businesses. We represent businesses and their owners with respect to intra-entity relationships and transitions. We assist our clients in selecting the appropriate form of business entity, whether it be a corporation, subchapter S corporation, limited liability company, limited partnership, limited liability partnership, joint venture or sole proprietorship, or any combination of these structures. Business law and tax law are intertwined, so our attorneys provide counsel regarding the taxation of businesses and owners, and structure business transactions to achieve tax advantages.

Dexter A. Larsen
Michael K. Donovan
Michael Cowles
Martha M. Markusen
Daniel D. Maddy

 

Condemnation Law
If property is being taken by a governmental body for public purposes, our attorneys can help the property owner receive just and fair compensation. Our involvement in condemnation disputes has assisted in securing compensation for property owners in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area, along the right-of-way of Interstate Highway I-35, and in many other locations throughout the Arrowhead Region.

Harold A. Frederick
David R. Oberstar
Paul B. Kilgore

 

Employment and Labor Law
Our firm has extensive experience in all aspects of employment and labor law. Our attorneys assist businesses and individuals in negotiating employment contracts and settling employment contract disputes. We have experience with employment discrimination complaints, grievance arbitration proceedings and collective bargaining for management and labor. We help businesses establish and maintain welfare and retirement plans, including qualified pension and profit sharing arrangements as well as non-qualified deferred compensation plans. Employers also call on us to provide assistance with layoffs, terminations, disciplinary actions, discrimination questions or claims, affirmative action plans and union organization campaigns. Our attorneys represent employers before national and state labor boards and in litigation matters concerning a wide range of employment related claims.

We emphasize the value of preventing personnel-related problems from occurring. Our attorneys alert employers to applicable laws and regulations and assist in compliance efforts. We also develop and deliver training on a variety of employment-related subjects. Our goal is to keep your business running smoothly.

Michael Cowles
Joseph J. Mihalek
Donald C. Erickson

 

Environmental Law
Environmental regulations abound today, and few major business decisions can be made without considering aspects of environmental law. Because our attorneys have years of experience with the government agencies responsible for environmental concerns, we can take a non-confrontational, problem-solving approach to environmental compliance. Environmental impact statements, environmental assessment worksheets, asbestos in buildings, underground tanks, wetlands protection, solid waste disposal, forest resources and many other subjects of regulation and litigation are within the range of skills and experience of our attorneys.

David R. Oberstar
Harold A. Frederick
Paul B. Kilgore
Paul A. Loraas

 

Estate Planning, Trust and Probate
Estate plans are financial planning tools that provide security and peace of mind for both you and your heirs. Our attorneys can develop an estate plan that meets your needs and objectives. An estate plan may include simple or complex wills, various types of trusts, business transfer plans, gift planning techniques and comprehensive tax analysis. Our attorneys act on behalf of personal representatives and heirs in probate proceedings, will contests and estate tax planning. Fryberger estate planning attorneys can help minimize estate and gift tax consequences while assigning an orderly transfer of your assets to your heirs.

James H. Stewart
Michael Cowles
Mia E. Peterson

 

Family Law
Fryberger, Buchanan, Smith and Frederick is a full-service civil practice law firm. We understand and are sensitive to the personal legal relationships of our clients. We provide counsel in adoptions, guardianships, conservatorships, prenuptial agreements, marital property agreements, divorces, separations, child custody disputes, and child support enforcement and modification proceedings.

Joseph J. Mihalek
David R. Oberstar
Mia E. Peterson

 

Financing and Bonds
When a business is formed or expanded, or an organization undertakes a public improvement project, our firm helps secure the needed funding. We can assist businesses in financing projects by conventional and equity funding means or by using special funding devices such as industrial revenue bonds, traditional municipal bonds and tax increment financing. Our attorneys work with financial institutions and local, state and federal agencies to secure financing for public and private projects. Our firm is Minnesota's only nationally recognized bond counsel outside the Twin Cities.

Robert E. Toftey
Mary Frances Skala

 

Health Care Law
Fryberger, Buchanan is actively involved in the growing area of health care law. Our experience includes representing hospitals, nursing homes and clinics in the region and many of the physicians and other health care professionals who serve the people of northeastern Minnesota and northwestern Wisconsin. Health care professionals count on us for accurate and up-to-date advice on how to comply with the increasingly complex laws and regulations affecting the services they provide.

Kevin T. Walli
Michael Cowles
Mary Frances Skala
Donald C. Erickson

 

Hospitality Law
More than 20 hotels and motels have benefitted from the expertise and careful planning of the Fryberger law firm. We represent development and management companies which own, control or operate motel, hotel, restaurant and lounge facilities throughout the United States. We provide advice on day-to-day issues such as insurance and liability arising from food and beverage sales, as well as guidance in the purchase, sale, expansion and financing of hospitality properties.

Harold A. Frederick
Michael K. Donovan
Daniel D. Maddy

 

Insurance Claims
Insurance claims often involve complex factual and legal issues. We can help businesses and individuals resolve all types of insurance claims for property, casualty and business losses resulting from fires, floods, storms and other disasters. Our attorneys also defend businesses, individuals and governmental entities against claims for personal injuries, defective products, professional malpractice and property damage. We have a thorough understanding of how insurance claims should be handled.

Joseph J. Mihalek
Harold A. Frederick
Stephanie A. Ball
Donald C. Erickson

 

Intellectual Property and Franchise Law
Fryberger, Buchanan, Smith and Frederick helps businesses and individuals create and preserve rights in intellectual property. We are experienced in registering trade names, trademarks and copyrights, and in opposing registration of trademarks which infringe those of our clients. We can also help protect trade secrets through confidentiality agreements. Our attorneys can represent you in the sale, purchase or license of copyrighted materials, trademarks and technology.

Dexter A. Larsen
Martha M. Markusen
Michael K. Donovan
John R. Gasele

 

Lender Support Services
Our lender assistance attorneys have the experience and working knowledge of laws and strategies vital for meeting the needs of lending institution clients. We help our clients with troubled loans in both consumer and commercial areas. We understand lender concerns. Our attorneys work daily with lending institutions focusing on loan structuring, monitoring and repayment, workouts and lender liability. We offer preventive services to help lenders start out in the right direction, in addition to collecting their problem loans.

Shawn M. Dunlevy
Martha M. Markusen
Dexter A. Larsen
Paul A. Loraas

 

Litigation
When legal matters cannot be resolved without litigation, you can count on our trial attorneys. As full-time litigators, our trial lawyers have the background and experience to bring even the most complicated cases to trial. Our firm represents individuals, organizations and companies in all types of business, construction, real estate and contract disputes. These matters may range from simple disagreements over the sale of goods to complex multimillion-dollar litigation involving loss of a business, business profits or personal injury. Our attorneys are licensed to try cases in all state and federal courts in Minnesota and Wisconsin.

Joseph J. Mihalek
Stephanie A. Ball
Harold A. Frederick
David R. Oberstar
Paul B. Kilgore
Donald C. Erickson
Daniel P. Bakken

 

Mining and Minerals
The mining and mineral development industries have long histories in northeastern Minnesota and northern Wisconsin, and we have assisted these industries by representing fee owners, leasehold developers, and mining companies. Our lawyers have significant experience in drafting mineral royalty leases, exploration licenses, and mineral purchase agreements and options. We have worked extensively with Minnesota's severed mineral laws and the related mineral title and liability management issues.

Paul B. Kilgore
Paul A. Loraas
James H. Stewart

 

Municipal and School Law
Our attorneys offer a variety of services to municipalities and school districts. We cover all aspects of the law affecting the organization and operation of governmental units. Our services range from advice on personnel issues to assistance in the planning of construction projects and from development of financing strategies to the handling of insurance claims. We encourage communities and their schools to work together to strengthen the growth of our region.

Harold A. Frederick
Robert E. Toftey
Mary Frances Skala

 

Natural Resources Law
Natural resources contribute significantly to our region's economy by providing jobs, recreation and tourism. Our natural resource lawyers provide legal services to the many component parts of the forest products industry, from timber harvesters to haulers to paper makers. Our firm also represents clients who own or lease properties containing mineral deposits. We negotiate and draft contracts and leases to ensure thoughtfully planned use of these properties. By working to encourage wise and productive use of our natural resources, we help to preserve industry, jobs and recreational opportunities for future generations.

James H. Stewart
David R. Oberstar
Kevin T. Walli
Paul B. Kilgore
Paul A. Loraas

 

Non-profit and Tax-exempt Organizations
Our work for non-profit organizations extends beyond our work in obtaining and maintaining tax exempt status. Our attorneys assist private foundations and public charities in connection with tax reporting and other compliance measures essential to carrying out grant-making programs and charitable activities. We advise individuals, corporations and exempt organizations on structuring alternatives, tax requirements and deferred giving methods.

David R. Oberstar
Michael Cowles
Mary Frances Skala

 

Personal Injury, Wrongful Death and Product Liability Claims
Injury and death cases are a significant part of our litigation practice. Our trial lawyers have represented persons seeking compensation for all types of personal injuries, including motor vehicle accidents, industrial accidents, liquor liability, defective products, professional malpractice and other negligent conduct. Our attorneys also have experience prosecuting wrongful death claims.

Joseph J. Mihalek
Stephanie A. Ball
Donald C. Erickson

 

Real Estate
Our firm represents developers, buyers, sellers and financial institutions in commercial and residential real estate transactions and developments. We can help you prepare a lease, deed, contract, mortgage or any other document required to convey, finance and register title to your property. Our real estate attorneys work on all aspects of real estate law, including enforcement of security interests in real estate, landlord-tenant issues and real estate tax protests.

Neal J. Hessen
Paul B. Kilgore
Daniel D. Maddy
Paul A. Loraas
Melissa B. Maloney

 

Securities
Fryberger, Buchanan, Smith and Frederick attorneys have experience in:

• the preparation of offering materials necessary for raising capital for both emerging and existing businesses;

• the registration of public securities offerings and private placement offerings (including limited partnership units and limited liability company interests);

• the preparation and filing of reports required by the Securities Exchange Commission and state securities commissioners; and

• issuance of bonds for charitable and governmental organizations.

Our experience and knowledge will provide you with up-to-date information and appropriate advice regarding securities issues.

Dexter A. Larsen
Michael K. Donovan
Daniel D. Maddy

 

Workers' Compensation
If you or your employee has been injured at work, we'll help you through the maze of rules governing payment of compensation, reimbursement of medical expenses and rehabilitation benefits under workers' compensation laws. Our attorneys represent employers, their insurers, and injured workers at administrative conferences, evidentiary hearings and appeals of workers' compensation claims. We counsel employers to ensure compliance with workers' compensation laws and health and safety regulations.

Joseph J. Mihalek
Donald C. Erickson