NEWS: National Law Journal Ranks Lindquist Top Firm in Minnesota for Women Equity Partnership
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The decision to move a legal practice is one of the most important an attorney will make during their career. There are many things to consider when evaluating a lateral move--including size and reputation of a firm; its culture, compensation and service offerings; and business development tools and opportunities. Lindquist & Vennum is a relatively young firm--just over 40 years old--and has grown from one office with a few dozen attorneys to a midsize firm with three regional offices and nearly 200 attorneys. Our growth has been slow and steady, with nearly two-thirds of our lawyers joining Lindquist as lateral hires from corporate legal departments, private practices and competing law firms. In fact, our makeup is a significant contributing factor to our culture. Flexibility, collegiality, a transparent business model, and a focus on professional development makes Lindquist an attractive alternative for those looking to build their legal career. Lindquist & Vennum offers the efficiency and personal attention typical of small firms, along with the resources, in-depth experience and sizable practice groups most often found at large firms. Our moderate size, Midwest, Great Plains and Rocky Mountain footprint, and conscientious assignment of attorneys and support specialists allow us to provide services at a value that fits clients’ means.
We take pride in serving as both trusted advisors and professional colleagues to our clients. Whether the objective is to help a business grow or to resolve a dispute, we see the quality of our relationships as proof of our commitment to place our clients’ needs first. Relationships drive our business and we work hard to create an environment that fosters them—both with our clients and internally among our attorneys. As lawyers and legal service professionals, we are:
- Business-minded
- Resourceful
- Collaborative
- Reliable
- Professional
- Philanthropic
Our diverse client base includes:
- Entrepreneurs
- Fortune 500 corporations
- Closely held companies
- Nonprofit organizations
- Individuals
- Government entities
We’re always keeping an eye out for the best talent in the markets we serve, creating new opportunities for like-minded attorneys seeking to grow their practices and build deeper, more meaningful relationships with their clients and the community.
In Their Own Words
Mary Akkerman
Partner, Trusts & Estates
Joined Lindquist & Vennum in 2012 "I started my law career in the Twin Cities doing trusts and estates work at a different Minneapolis firm where I worked with attorneys who made the move to Lindquist. Eventually I moved to Sioux Falls, where I practiced for several years. While in South Dakota, I stayed in touch with my Lindquist contacts and continued to work with some of them on trust matters. When I learned that Lindquist was opening a new office in Sioux Falls, my decision to join the firm was an easy one, especially since I had so many existing relationships with the firm. I knew the firm’s reputation for quality and collegiality, and I had experienced it first-hand. I could not have custom-ordered a better opportunity.
Since joining Lindquist, I’ve been able to integrate my clients into the firm, and I’ve gained new clients from relationships with my Lindquist partners. In addition, I am able to work with the Minneapolis trusts and estates team and their clients, and I can seek help from them with my clients. The synergy is great, and the ability to provide trusts and estates services in both Minnesota and South Dakota is a huge advantage to our clients in both locations.
Ethan Birnberg
Associate, Bankruptcy
Joined Lindquist & Vennum in 2010
After interviewing with prominent law firms in Colorado, I chose to join Lindquist & Vennum’s corporate reorganization and bankruptcy group. I knew the firm argued several cases before the U.S. Supreme Court and received highly esteemed recognition in the community. I was impressed by the attorneys’ dedication to resolving corporate restructuring issues and complex litigation while instilling a positive and friendly atmosphere at their office. I immediately knew this was the firm where I wanted to continue my practice of law. Since joining Lindquist & Vennum, I have worked on several notable cases and constantly receive challenging and rewarding opportunities.
Jim Walston Partner, Real Estate
Joined Lindquist & Vennum in 2007
I joined Lindquist & Vennum over five years ago following an interview process that included several major Twin Cities law firms. The old saying that “first impressions are most meaningful” applies here. What immediately struck me about Lindquist was the high level of camaraderie and professionalism among the attorneys, paraprofessionals and staff along with a unified sense of mission—client service. Taking advantage of the firm’s strong marketing and business development resources, I have been able to grow my practice, adding major clients in a variety of industries throughout the country. This is a great place to work and allows me the ability to provide top service to clients!
Pro Bono and Community Service
Lindquist & Vennum is deeply committed to the delivery of pro bono legal services. In fact, a large part of our public reputation is rooted in our attorneys’ dedication to the organizations, legal clinics and individuals they serve each year on a pro bono basis.
To underscore our institutional commitment to pro bono activities, the firm has accepted the Pro Bono Institute Law Firm Pro Bono Challenge, agreeing to use our best efforts to ensure that we annually contribute, at a minimum, an amount of time equal to 3% of the firm’s total billable hours to pro bono work.
Since 1997 we have met and exceeded our goal with 100 percent participation by our partners, associates and paralegals. Our firm-wide commitment to pro bono work is in keeping with our tradition of full participation in the community.
The firm recognizes and encourages those individuals who help to fulfill our commitment to pro bono service. Accordingly:
- For partners, up to 50 hours of pro bono service (or higher with management committee approval) will be treated, for compensation-setting purposes, as if fees were received.
- For associates, up to 100 hours of pro bono service (or higher with management committee approval) will apply to the associate standard hours requirement.
Lindquist & Vennum is proud to meet and or exceed the standards set forth by the Pro Bono Institute, Minnesota State Bar Association (MSBA), and the Colorado Supreme Court. With the addition of the firm’s Sioux Falls office in March 2012, we anticipate announcing our pro bono commitment in South Dakota later this year.
Awards and Accolades
- Lindquist & Vennum continually receives top rankings in Chambers USA Guide to America’s Leading Lawyers for Business. The firm has been recognized as one of the leading law firms in Minnesota in the areas of Corporate/M&A, Litigation, and Real Estate.
- Thirty-three attorneys were named Minnesota Super Lawyers and four lawyers were named Colorado Super Lawyers in 2011-2012.
- Thirty Lindquist lawyers were selected by their peers for inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America® 2012.
- The firm was recognized by the Colorado Supreme Court for achieving the annual goal of 50 hours of pro bono legal service for the calendar year 2011.
- Lindquist & Vennum was named a Go-To Law Firm® in 2011-2012’s Corporate Counsel survey of Fortune 500 general counsel.
- Lindquist & Vennum was named a “Best Law Firm for Women” for the third consecutive time by NAFE and Flex-Time Lawyers in 2011.
- The firm has been named a “Best Place to Work” by the Minneapolis St. Paul Business Journal six times, most recently in 2010. The award is based on surveys submitted by firm lawyers and staff.
- In 2011, Lindquist & Vennum ranked 22nd nationally and 3rd locally for midlevel associate satisfaction in American Lawyer’s annual survey.