Brian is a member of Briggs and Morgan’s Executive Committee. He also serves as Chair of the firm’s Commercial Department which consists of more than 80 attorneys. He is former chair of the Business Law Section, and was a member of the firm’s board of directors for two terms.
Brian practices principally in the areas of:
Corporate and Transactional Experience
Brian represents public and privately held companies, and their boards of directors, in a wide variety of matters, including corporate governance, SEC reporting issues, board and executive compensation, stock and asset acquisitions, divestitures and joint ventures.
Significant transactions in 2008 - 2010 include representation of:
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a large bottling company in a merger to create one of the world’s largest food and beverage companies, a transaction valued at $7.8 billion;
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Minnesota Twins in its issuance of and compliance with $215 million in bond obligations used to finance the development and construction of the new Minnesota Twins Ballpark – Target Field;
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Minnesota Wild in the sale of the hockey team to a group of new investors;
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the board of the world’s second largest manufacturer of recreational boats, in conjunction with its bankruptcy; and
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one of the premier mezzanine capital providers in the United States, which manages five separate partnerships with more than $1 billion in commitments, including debt and equity investments in more than 80 companies nationwide.
Brian concentrates his practice in complex business and commercial transactions, and mergers and acquisitions, which involve several interdisciplinary areas of the law, including finance, intellectual property, securities, contracts, taxation, employment relations, health care, commercial litigation analysis, corporate strategy and governance issues, such as restructuring.
Family Estate Planning Experience
Brian represents many of the most well recognized families in the Upper Midwest. He brings together for these families the wide range of legal services necessary to address their needs, including estate planning, governance, business succession and business transactions. Brian works closely with other advisors to such clients, including tax, accounting and valuation advisors. Brian can bring these advisors to families if such relationships do not already exist. Brian represents these families in Minnesota and the Upper Midwest. Many of the transactions referenced below originated from the families Brian represents.
Recognitions
Brian is widely recognized in the legal community. Some of his more recent achievements include:
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Chambers U.S.A., an independent guide to leading business lawyers, distinguished Brian as a "highly sought after" standout individual in corporate law.
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Brian was named "Attorney of the Year" by Minnesota Lawyer in 2009.
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He also is recognized as a Minnesota Super Lawyer.
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In 2009, Brian’s work was noted in the Big Deals section of American Lawyer.
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In the February 12, 2010 edition of the Minneapolis/St. Paul Business Journal Brian was recognized for his work on the largest M&A transaction in the State of Minnesota in 2009.
Community Involvement
Dedicated to giving back to the community, Brian is active in several organizations. He currently serves on the following boards and committees:
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Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis - Chair of Finance Council
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Jeremiah Program - Board of Directors
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Convent of the Visitation School - Board of Directors; Chair, Buildings Committee
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St. Paul Seminary - Board of Trustees; Board Affairs Committee
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Minnesota Medical Foundation - Member of the Heart Campaign Advisory Committee
Memberships, Education
Brian received his B.A. from Marquette University and his law degree from Villanova University. He was a member of the Villanova Law Review while in law school and after, served as a law clerk to the Honorable Eldon B. Mahon of the U.S. District Court, Northern District of Texas. Brian is a member of the Minnesota State Bar Association. He joined Briggs in 1988.