Fredrikson & Byron Announces New Shareholders

Fredrikson & Byron has elected eight new shareholders: Nikola L. Datzov, Steven R. Kinsella, Katie A. Perleberg, Christopher D. Pham, Joseph J. Schauer, Benjamin R. Tozer, Emily A. Unger and Haley Waller Pitts.

Nikola L. Datzov works in the Minneapolis office and is a member of the Intellectual Property Litigation, Artificial Intelligence and Anti-Counterfeiting Groups. Datzov leverages his computer science background and experience in the federal courts to help clients resolve a wide range of complex intellectual property law disputes. He represents clients throughout the United States, including popular patent venues such as Delaware, Illinois, California and Texas. Datzov has also successfully represented parties in inter partes review proceedings before the Patent Trial and Appeal Board and on appeal before the Federal Circuit and Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals.

Steven R. Kinsella works in the Minneapolis office and is a member of the Bankruptcy, Restructuring & Workouts and Litigation Groups. Kinsella assists businesses, commercial lenders and individuals in the areas of corporate restructuring, creditors’ remedies, bankruptcy, commercial litigation and related matters, including reorganizing or liquidating either under the Bankruptcy Code or in or out of court workouts and liquidations. He has represented multiple corporations, small businesses and individuals on the debtor-side, and has also represented creditors, contract or lease counterparties, parties sued to recover preference and fraudulent transfers, and potential asset purchasers in bankruptcy cases.

Katie A. Perleberg works in the Fargo office and is a member of the Trusts & Estates Group. She works closely with individuals and families to develop a uniquely tailored estate plan that provides for an orderly succession of family assets. Perleberg’s practice focuses on estate planning advice, income and transfer tax minimization, and the preparation of wills, trusts (both revocable and irrevocable), powers of attorney and health care directives. Her practice also includes real estate work and business entity formation/restructuring as they relate to estate planning. In addition, Perleberg guides families, trustees and personal representatives through post-death probate and trust administration. Licensed in Florida as well as North Dakota and Minnesota, she is uniquely suited to handle her clients’ multi-state needs.

Christopher D. Pham works in the Minneapolis office and is a member of the Sports & Entertainment, Litigation, Investment Management and Securities Litigation Groups. As a Co-Chair of the Sports & Entertainment Practice Group, Pham works with clients to manage the opportunities and challenges that have vast legal implications relating to both personal and business matters. He also represents clients in complex cases involving securities and financial fraud, shareholder derivative and class actions, special litigation committee investigations, merger and acquisition litigation, investor-broker firm disputes, contractual disputes, partnership and shareholder disputes, and SEC, FINRA and state regulatory proceedings.

Joseph J. Schauer works in the Minneapolis office and is a member of the Mergers & Acquisitions, Private Equity, Securities, and Investment Management Groups. Schauer’s mergers and acquisitions practice includes representation of both strategic and private equity clients on buy- and sell-side transactions with values ranging from less than $1.0 million to over $500 million. His securities law practice includes representation of companies in the offering of debt and equity securities, including private offerings, initial public offerings, shelf offerings and ongoing SEC reporting compliance. He also represents a number of RIAs and brokers on a broad range of matters relating to their wealth advisory practices.

Benjamin R. Tozer works in the Minneapolis office and is a member of the Condemnation & Eminent Domain and Energy Regulation & Permitting Groups. Tozer’s practice includes a broad range of litigation and real estate work, with a particular expertise related to condemnation and eminent domain. He assists both landowners and taking authorities in condemnation. Tozer has substantial experience in eminent domain, including acquiring title to and possession of property necessary for public projects, obtaining just compensation in the valuation process, advising clients on relocation benefits, analyzing and arguing the validity of “Buy-the-Farm” elections, and condemnation appellate cases. His expertise also includes other real estate matters, including boundary disputes, special assessment challenges and commercial landlord-tenant disputes.

Emily A. Unger works in the Minneapolis office and is a member of the Litigation and Trusts & Estates Litigation Groups. Unger represents individuals and institutions acting as trustees, personal representatives and beneficiaries in a variety of trust and estate disputes. She also represents clients in complex high-stakes litigation involving breaches of contract, breaches of fiduciary duty, fraud and other business torts.

Haley Waller Pitts works in the Minneapolis office and is a member of the Energy, Litigation and Energy Regulation & Permitting Groups. Waller Pitts assists clients with wind farm, solar, transmission and pipeline permitting matters. She is part of a team advising utilities, independent power producers, independent transmission companies and pipeline companies on siting, routing, permitting and other regulatory matters before the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission, South Dakota Public Utilities Commission, Wisconsin Public Service Commission, and other federal, state and local agencies. Waller Pitts also represents clients in litigation related to energy infrastructure in trial and appellate courts.

Fredrikson & Byron is a 290-attorney law firm based in Minneapolis, with offices in Bismarck, Des Moines, Fargo, Mankato, St. Paul, Saltillo, Mexico, and Shanghai, China. Fredrikson & Byron has a reputation as the firm “where law and business meet.” Our attorneys bring business acumen and entrepreneurial thinking to work with clients, and operate as business advisors and strategic partners, as well as legal counselors. More information about the firm is available at www.fredlaw.com. Follow us on LinkedIn and on Twitter @FredriksonLaw.