Firm News
Lommen Abdo will be an exhibitor at the 2013 Spring Small Business Resource Expo, presented by New Business Minnesota (a Lommen Abdo client).
Lommen Abdo is sponsoring two films at this year’s Minneapolis St. Paul International Film Festival which will run from April 11th through the 28th.
Have the next great business idea? The ninth annual Minnesota Cup competition — the largest statewide new venture competition in the country — opened for entries on March 25th. Lommen Abdo is once again a supporting partner of the 2013 Minnesota Cup,...
Attorneys Greg Perleberg and Jeff O'Brien were featured with clients Mitch Omer and Katy Gerdes, co-owners of Hell's Kitchen/Angel Food Bakery, in the Resource Heroes edition of New Business Minnesota.
Lommen Abdo client Carl Eller discussed career transition issues for professional athletes with his former Minnesota Vikings teammate and fellow Hall of Famer Fran Tarkenton on the March 2nd Fran Tarkenton Show, Sirius XM Indie Channel 104.
U.S. News Media Group and Best Lawyers have released the 2013 “Best Law Firms” rankings, providing a comprehensive view of the U.S. legal profession that is unprecedented both in the range of firms represented and in the range of qualitative and quantitative...
Edward G. (“Ed”) Heilman has associated with Lommen Abdo in an “of counsel” position. Karen Schlotthauer (who recently became a shareholder of Lommen Abdo) practiced with Ed for over twelve years, seven and a half as a principal of Heilman & Schlotthauer, PLLC...
Lommen Abdo client Dangerous Man Brewing is opening for business in NE Minneapolis. The doors open on Friday, January 25th at 1300 Second Street NE in Minneapolis.
Lommen Abdo attorneys were interviewed on “The Business Forum Show” discussing the legal issues that face every small business owner including organizational documents and related formation issues, intellectual property, financing and contract issues.
Lommen Abdo’s Food Beverage & Leisure Activities Practice Group is pleased to share the exciting news that Northbound Smokehouse & Brewpub has opened its doors for business effective September 20, 2012. Located in Minneapolis, Northbound is a restaurant with an...
Legendary Minnesota Vikings - and Lommen Abdo clients - Carl Eller and Stu Voigt made a joint appearance at Rosedale Mall on Saturday, August 11, 2012.
Lommen Abdo is pleased to share in the announcement that its client, Indeed Brewing Company, opened its 12,000-square-foot brewery and taproom in a century-old building at the heart of the Northeast Minneapolis Arts District on Friday, August 10, 2012.
The Hudson Area Chamber of Commerce & Tourism Bureau, in partnership with The Phipps Center for the Arts, invites you to the Spirit of the St. Croix Art Festival, September 22nd and 23rd in Lakefront Park in Hudson, Wisconsin.
The Spirit of the St. Croix...
Phil Cole (Business Litigation/Professional Liability), president of Lommen Abdo, and Bob King (Personal Injury), chair of our PI practice group, are listed in Minnesota's Top 100 Super Lawyers®, as determined in conjunction with the Super Lawyer selection process...
Lommen Abdo’s Bob Abdo and his wife, Bobbi, recently attended the annual meeting of the International Lawyers Network in Washington, D.C. The ILN is an association of over 91 high quality, full service law firms with over 5,000 lawyers worldwide.
U.S. News Media Group and Best Lawyers® released the 2011-2012 “Best Law Firms” rankings, marking the second edition of this highly-anticipated annual analysis. The national first-tier rankings were featured in U.S.News & World Report’s Money issue.
Karen Schlotthauer joined Lommen Abdo as shareholder June 18th. Karen is a dedicated and talented estate and trust attorney with a proven track record of providing high quality legal representation, creative solutions and customer service to a broad range of estate...
NFL wide receiver Hank Baskett hosted his inagural Golf Classic on May 21st, teaming up with The Bonnie J. Addario Lung Cancer Foundation, a global leader in lung cancer research and awareness.
Mikayla Che began an association with Lommen Abdo as a co-counsel in May 2012. She is a bilingual lawyer with a wealth of international practice experience (particularly in the U.S. and China).
Margie Bodas, Vice President of Practice Management at Lommen, Abdo, Cole, King & Stageberg, P.A. was selected as one of the 2012 Women in Business Industry Leaders by the Minneapolis St. Paul Business Journal.
Leah Isakson has joined Lommen Abdo as a litigation associate in the Hudson office. Her practice includes a wide array of litigation areas, including insurance defense litigation, family law, personal injury and commercial litigation. She also assists with Wisconsin...
At Lommen Abdo, we believe that excellent client service is not just about providing high quality legal services. It also includes making introductions and cross-marketing amongst our clients when the situation is appropriate and where there is opportunity for mutual...
Lommen Abdo client and former Rice University and Minnesota Vikings Quarterback Tommy Kramer was recently chosen for College Football Hall of Fame.
Jeff O'Brien joined Lommen Abdo February 16, 2012. Jeff practices in the areas of business formations, business transactions, real estate law, estate planning and probate law. His clients represent a diverse array of businesses and business owners including real estate...
Greg Perleberg has joined Lommen Abdo as a shareholder effective February 1, 2012. As part of the firm's Corporate and Entertainment, IP & Sports groups, Greg's focus will continue to be in the areas of e-commerce, technology and intellectual property
Tom Dougherty and Dan Young have been appointed co-chairs of Lommen Abdo's Business Law Group. Lommen Abdo continues to expand its legal capabilities and expertise in the areas of closely held business, intellectual property, employment law, mergers and acquisitions, financing...
On January 26th the Executive Women's Council of the Minneapolis Regional Chamber of Commerce will bring in WNBA Championship Coach Cheryl Reeves, Twins Senior V.P. Laura Day and Boxing Gym owner Lisa Bauch to talk a about their experiences running businesses...
Lee Hutton's client, Kris Humphries, is welcome back in New Jersey:
Kris Humphries remains with Nets (ESPN New York)
Kris Humphries says 'it's nice to be back' with Nets (nj.com)
Kris Humphries stars in Nets' comeback win over Wizards (northjersey...
A delegation promoting Singapore/USA trade development recently gave a public presentation in St. Paul in the morning and after visited two Lommen Abdo clients, HRST and EarthClean. As one of the most liberal trading regimes in the world, Singapore is an excellent market for U.S. products...
Up & Coming Attorney. Rising Star. Lommen Abdo's Bryan Feldhaus is both. In March, Bryan was selected as one of 25 outstanding attorneys in the Finance & Commerce Up & Coming Attorney program. In August, Bryan was also named as a Rising Star in Thomson Reuter's Super Lawyer/Rising Star program....
Well-known and respected artist advocate John L. Simson has been named “of-counsel” to Lommen, Abdo, Cole, King & Stageberg, one of the country’s largest entertainment law practices. John has re-established a law practice in Washington, D.C., where he most recently served as the founding Executive...
The call is out for entries for the Minnesota Cup - a statewide contest designed to seek out, support, celebrate and promote Minnesota's newest and most innovative business ideas. Lommen Abdo is a supporting partner of the 2011 Minnesota Cup, and Brad Lehrman participates once again as one of...
Dan Young recently received the CJ Ramstad Unsung Hero Award for his work supporting the 2011 Northland 300 snowmobile ride. The award is given to 'the participant who quietly does good for the ride' and is named after C.J. Ramstad whose tireless involvement at all levels of the sport of snowmobiling...
The MOJO MN initiative held an event on the evening of January 12th featuring Steven Schussler, founder of Rain Forest Cafe and author of a new book "Its a Jungle in There." The event was co-sponsored by the Minnesota High-Tech Association and underwritten by the Eide Baily accounting firm.
Daniel J. Young joined Lommen Abdo to practice with the firm’s corporate and entertainment groups. He focuses his business practice on mergers and acquisitions; closely-held, family, emerging, and technology businesses; real estate and venture finance; corporate governance; shareholder planning and dispute...
The Residence Club at Giants Ridge is a new, luxury fractional ownership development, located within the 2000 acre Giants Ridge Golf and Ski Resort, in Biwabik, Minnesota.
Lommen Abdo presented its 3rd Annual Entertainment & Sports Law Symposium for industry professionals in sports, music, interactive, film and other entertainment businesses on Friday, November 12, 2010 on the 50th floor of the IDS Center in Minneapolis.
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Though opening night is delayed until early 2011, Lommen Abdo client Reeve Carney readies for his lead role as Spiderman in Broadways most expensive play ever.
Bronko Nagurski is considered one of the greatest American football players of all time. As a University of Minnesota Golden Gopher, he was the first and only athlete to be named All-American at two positions in the same year.
Lommen Abdo's Bob Donnelly was recently interviewed by Billboard on the Eminem decision, a decision very favorable to recording artists.
Lommen Abdo is again partnering with the Minnesota Cup, a statewide entrepreneurial contest that seeks out and supports Minnesota’s newest and most innovative business ideas.
Howard M. Bard has associated with Lommen Abdo in an 'of counsel' position. Howard has been, and will continue to be, a partner with Bard and Bard, Ltd. in Minneapolis, a successor of the firm of Nathanson, Bard and Levy.
Phil Cole (Business Litigation), president of Lommen Abdo, and Bob King (Personal Injury), chair of our PI practice group, are listed in Minnesota’s Top 100 Super Lawyers®, as determined in conjunction with the Super Lawyer selection process conducted by Minnesota Super Lawyers. Kay Hunt (Appellate), chair...
EarthClean is revolutionizing the messy, toxic method of extinguishing fires with a green extinguishing material. TetraKOTM enables firefighters to extinguish fires in less time and with no chemicals left to contaminate soil and ground water.
Brad Lehrman and Lommen Abdo are founding "agitators" of MOJO Minnesota, and MOJO Minnesota was recently featured in the Minneapolis/St. Paul Business Journal.
Deb Swenson has achieved an important goal: to simply be considered a strong legal advocate; not someone who has a disability AND happens to be an attorney. For someone who personally prefers to fly under the radar, the last few months have been a whirlwind.
Four Lommen Abdo Attorneys are listed among the Minnesota Best Lawyers. The list is compiled each year by The Best Lawyers in America. The four Lommen Abdo attorneys are: Phil Cole, listed in both legal malpractice law and personal injury litigation; Roger Stageberg, corporate; Kay Nord Hunt, appellate law;...
The call is out for entries for the Sixth Annual Minnesota Cup -- a statewide contest designed to seek out, support, celebrate and promote Minnesota's newest and most innovative business ideas. Lommen Abdo is a sponsor of the 2010 Minnesota Cup...
Ryder Systems, Inc., with the guidance of their attorney, Deb Swenson, made a donation to Guide Dogs for the Blind in the amount of almost $28,000.
“What do an entertainment lawyer who helped launch the career of a 20-something Owatonna man to the top of the Billboard charts, the deputy general counsel at one of the country’s leading biomedical manufacturing companies who is also a competitive horse rider and the four men who prosecuted the largest fraud...
Ken Abdo was interviewed for an article on the MinnPost.com news blog on the Performance Right Act.
Kate Westad, Valerie Sims and Lee Hutton are again listed as Minnesota Rising Stars by Law & Politics magazine. Our ad (below) appeared in the December 2009/January 2010 edition of Minnesota Law & Politics.
Lommen Abdo's Minneapolis office showed their Purple Pride on Friday, January 22nd - the day before the game against the New Orleans Saints.
Bob King, Stacey DeKalb and Barry O'Neil were elected to the Board of Directors of Lommen, Abdo, Cole, King & Stageberg, P.A., a trial, business and entertainment law firm with offices in Minneapolis; Hudson, Wisconsin; and New York City. King and DeKalb were newly elected to the board of directors and O'Neil...
Lommen Abdo Associate Kate Westad has a passion for the law and is a tenacious advocate for her clients. She was recently selected as one of the 2009 Up & Coming Attorneys by Minnesota Lawyer.
Jamie Johnson has been selected by the Wisconsin Law Journal as one of its 2009 Leaders in the Law. The WLJ recognizes leading practitioners and judges throughout Wisconsin based on a wide variety of achievement criteria, including outstanding leadership, vision and legal expertise.
Universities have their own codes of student conduct. Violations of the code may result in actions against the student and disciplinary action, including suspension or expulsion. Those involved in a code of conduct procedure or a disciplinary action should seek legal representation to protect their rights.
You may have received notice that your rights may be affected by a class action settlement regarding Google's Digitization of Books and Other writings. As you also may know, a proposed settlement has been reached on behalf of a class of all owners of U.S. copyrights in books and in writings included in books and other...
John Giblin, attorney at Lommen, Abdo, Cole, King & Stageberg, P.A., has bee recertified as an MSBA Board Certified Real Property Specialist by the Minnesota State Bar Association.
Booker T’s CD, Potato Hole, released on April 21, 2009, received a B+ review in Entertainment Weekly, and he was included in an New York Times article concerning a PBS special revisiting the Stax/Volt Revue’s 1967 European Tour. He also appeared on the Jimmy Kimmel show on April 20th, 21st and 22nd to...
Do you have the next breakthrough business idea? A call has gone out for entries for the Fifth Annual Minnesota Cup – a statewide contest designed to seek out, support, celebrate and promote Minnesota’s newest and most innovative business ideas. Lommen Abdo is a sponsor of the 2009 Minnesota Cup.
Jamie Johnson regularly hosts the legal segment on Hudson’s local cable news show, Power News. He recently interviewed Wisconsin Supreme Court Justice Shirley Abrahamson for the show, and the segment aired in March 2009.
Lommen Abdo paralegals and attorneys participated in the "Race Up the Place Event" on January 31, 2009 to benefit the American Lung Association of Minnesota. The race consisted of 30 floors, 60 flights of stairs and a total of 660 steps. Lommen Abdo had a team of seven participants:...
A private equity investment fund devoted to fine wines that closed right at the onset of the economic meltdown last October is already bearing fruit for its investors. It is expected to grow while other asset classes struggle in the new year, based on the historical performance of wines during recessionary...
We often get asked, "what's your favorite movie, recording artist, writer, athlete, etc.?" It is a surprisingly difficult question to answer. (It's a bit like, "what's your favorite food?") Coming to the rescue is an authority no less than the American Bar Association who has made a list of the 25 GREATEST LEGAL MOVIES. Although there are...
Alternative energy in general and wind energy in particular is widely seen as one of the bright spots in an otherwise troubled economy. The American Wind Energy Association reported 45% growth in installed wind capacity in 2007, and political support for wind has increased since then. Currently 30 states have mandates in place to hit clean...
One of Kate Westad’s cases was among the Lawsuits of the Year in the December 2008/January 2009 Minnesota Law & Politics. Kate, along with instrumental assistance from Bob King, successfully represented the Walsh family in their case against the three Minneapolis bars which served alcohol to the intoxicated patron who shot their father - who...
Minnesota Women's Press named the Infinity Project a 2008 Changemaker. You can view the Women’s Press article here. The Infinity Project was created to address the fact that only one woman has ever been appointed to serve on the Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals in its entire 117-year history. Kay is a member of the Infinity Project....
The fourth annual Lommen Abdo Toys for Tots Campaign was our most successful drive ever! One hundred and fifty-two toys and $580 were donated and delivered on December 18th. Thank you to all who participated.
Kate Westad, Valerie Sims and Lee Hutton are listed as Minnesota Rising Stars by Law & Politics magazine. Valerie and Lee have been listed previously - this is Kate’s first year. Congratulations to all three. Our ad (below) appeared in the December 2008/January 2009 edition of Minnesota Law & Politics.
Michael Kohn wrote a very nice article for Inside Chappaqua, a magazine in Westchester, New York, concerning Bob Donnelly’s career.
The Entertainment & Sports Law Symposium on November 13th was a big success! Over 140 lawyers, law students, and entertainment professionals attended the inaugural Symposium in Minneapolis. The reaction to the panels and presentations were outstanding. We received very good reviews on our questionnaire...
The Minnesota Court of Appeals marked its 25th anniversary at a Symposium on November 6, 2008 at the William Mitchell College of Law. Kay Hunt participated in a mock Court of Appeals argument and has also served on the Court of Appeals' 25th Anniversary Committee, which presented both the continuing legal...
Bob Donnelly has been named to the first annual Irish Legal 100 by the Irish Voice Newspaper and the Irish American Magazine, a list of the 100 most prominent lawyers in the United States of Irish-American descent. Two U.S. Supreme Court Justices are included in the list. The list was published in a special supplement of the September15 issue of Irish...
The winner of the 2008 Minnesota Cup is CoreSpine Technologies, a company which develops advanced surgical devices. Brad Lehrman, a Lommen Abdo shareholder, was a judge of the competition.
Members of the Review Board evaluated oral presentation as well as the business plans of the five finalists on September 11th and the winner was announced at an...
A calendar for small businesses is available from the IRS which can be downloaded into Outlook calendars.
Dan Satorius was profiled in a two page spread in the August/September 2008 Minnesota Law & Politics. The article describes Dan’s practice and how he got his start in entertainment law. You can read the article at this link.
Phil Cole (business litigation), president of Lommen Abdo, Bob King (personal injury), chair of our PI practice group, and Kay Hunt (appellate), chair of our Appellate Section, are listed in Minnesota’s Top 100 Super Lawyers®, as determined in conjunction with the Super Lawyer selection process conducted by Minnesota Law & Politics, Twin Cities...
Bob King represented a former Union Pacific engineer who was awarded $1.1 million in a jury verdict in Blue Earth County. The accident injured the train engineer and killed a semi driver west of Mankato in 2004. Check out the articles which appeared in the April 19th Mankato Free Press and on Lawyers USA Online.
The response to this years program was overwhelming. By all measures, this has been the biggest year yet. Unique web site visitors, registered user accounts, total participants and submissions are all up by 50 to 100%...
Electronic Litigator®, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Lommen Abdo, assists with the digital management of each phase of a litigation matter, from initial discovery through trial. Electronic Litigator® services are available both to Lommen Abdo clients and outside businesses. Electronic Litigator® utilizes its powerful...
Sheila Bjorklund was interviewed extensively for an article entitled "Do Vaccines Cause Autism?" which appeared in the June/July 2008 Minnesota Law & Politics.
Bob King, an attorney in Lommen Abdo’s Minneapolis office, was admitted to practice in North Dakota on May 6, 2008. Bob King is included in the list of Minnesota’s Top 40 PI Super Lawyers® and the Best Lawyers in America, he is certified as a civil trial specialist by the Minnesota State Bar Association, he is AV-rated by Martindale Hubbell, he...
Minnesota Vikings Linebacker E.J. Henderson is teaming up with pro anglers on the E.J. Henderson Celebrity Bass Challenge on June 25 and 26 at Lake Waconia in Waconia, Minnesota. Proceeds from the event will benefit the E.J. Henderson Youth Foundation. Lee Hutton is providing legal representation for the event. Click on this link for more information...
Bob Donnelly has had another article published…this time in the April 2008 Julliard Journal, which is one of the most prestigious publications in classical music.
Phil Cole was included in the Best Lawyers in America in the area of Legal Malpractice in the April 2008 edition of The American Lawyer. Click on this link to view the profile included in that edition.
Best Lawyers in America is the oldest lawyer-rating publication in the U.S., and is widely recognized as the gold standard for accuracy and integrity. Corporate...
Ken Abdo was interviewed for an article which appeared in the March 15, 2008 Boston Globe covering the SXSW Music Festival. Ken discussed the condition of the commerce of music.
Government health officials have conceded that childhood vaccines worsened a rare, underlying disorder that ultimately led to autism-like symptoms in a Georgia girl, and that she should be paid from a federal vaccine injury fund.
Medical and legal experts say the narrow wording and circumstances probably make the case an exception -- not a precedent for thousands...
Lommen Abdo celebrated its New York clients and Bob Donnelly's 30th year as a music lawyer on February 26th. The event, held at the Canal Room, at Broadway and Canal Street in Tribeca, was attended by over 275 music, film and sports clients and firm friends. Many of the musicians honored Bob by performing throughout the night. Unfortunately,...
Lommen Abdo is partnering with the 2008 Minnesota Cup, a statewide business plan competition hosted by the University of Minnesota and Wells Fargo. Minnesota Cup partners are companies that offer support and resources to early stage growth companies in Minnesota and also to the competition. At the heart of the Minnesota Cup competition is...
Lommen Abdo client Jim Brickman has revolutionized the sound of adult contemporary music with his pop-style solo piano and romantic popular songs. Brickman’s awards for his piano and vocals include six gold and platinum selling albums, consistent debuts at No. 1 on Billboard Magazine’s New Age chart, a Grammy nomination in 2003 and a...
A profile on Ken Abdo is being published in the American Bar Association’s Forum in the Entertainment and Sports Industries quarterly publication. The profile is titled "Midwest Music Law Pioneer - Ken Abdo" and covers his start in music in high school to his music practice today. You can view the profile at this link.
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On Feb. 13, President Bush signed the "Economic Stimulus Act of 2008" into law. The Act provides for a rebate credit for 2008 to eligible individuals, including retirees receiving only Social Security income, and disabled veterans and their survivors. Starting in May, the Treasury will begin sending economic stimulus payments to more than 130 million households. To receive...
Ken Abdo received a special award from ELI (the GRAMMY® Foundation Entertainment Law Initiative) in appreciation of his service as chairman of the ELI Executive Committee for the past two years. You can read an article about the event at the GRAMMY® website. Ken is an entertainment law attorney officing in Minneapolis.
Click on this link to view the January/February President’s Page from the Lafayette Club Newsletter. Bob Abdo is the current President of the Lafayette Club.
Lommen Abdo’s Entertainment Department recently secured recording contracts for two young artists who are getting a lot of national attention. The first is Simone, and she is the daughter of the legendary musical icon Nina Simone, and the second is Auburn Williams, an 18 year-old St. Paul R&B singer. Attached is a recent press release on Simone’s...
Lommen Abdo client Johnny Rivers is being recognized with a special interview at the South by Southwest (SXSW) Music Festival this March in Austin, Texas. Other confirmed featured speakers include keynote speaker Lou Reed, Daryl Hall, Thurston Moore and Seymour Stein.
Summarized by Dan Epstein in the liner notes to the recently released...
Dan Satorius will be blogging from the Sundance Film Festival from January 19th to the 23rd for Minnesota Public Radio and gather.com. To check out his blog, click on one of these links: Minnesota Public Radio or gather.com.
The 2008 Sundance Film Festival is held in Park City, Utah, from January 17th to the 27th. You can learn more about the festival by clicking on this link.
Congratulations to our client Esther Robinson. Her documentary "A Walk into the Sea: Danny Williams and The Warhol Factory," recently had its U.S. premiere at the Tribeca Film Festival. The film won the NY Loves Film - Documentary and also won the prestigious Teddy award to the Berlin Film Festival.
This fascinating and intimate...
Wisconsin Governor Jim Doyle appointed Lommen Abdo Attorney Jamie Johnson to The Governor’s Judicial Advisory Council (JAC). The JAC assists the Governor in making appointments to the bench to fill mid-term vacancies at the trial and appellate court levels. The Council of ten members is comprised of lawyers from around the state and representatives from the Governor’s...
Ken Abdo and Bob Donnelly spoke at Entertainment Law Ethics on January 15th in Los Angeles and sponsored by the Association of Independent Music Publishers.
The third annual Lommen Abdo Toys for Tots Campaign was a big success! One hundred and nineteen toys and $406 in cash and checks were donated and dropped off to KARE-11 on Wednesday, December 19th. Thank you to all who participated.
Christie Healey has been elected to the Board of IFP Minnesota. IFP MN has gained a high profile over the years as an extraordinary organization supporting the independent film-maker and other artists. Dan Satorius has been a board member since the inception of the organization. For more information on IFP MN, go to their website: www.ifpmsp.org.
Lommen Abdo's very own in-house rockers Article XX played a smokin' set at the Fine Line on Friday, October 26th as part of the line-up of bands for the Fifth Annual Attractive Nuisance Tour. Their cover of the Lowell George/F. Martin Kibbee song Dixie Chicken laid down a cool funky groove that had the crowd moving and shaking all over the place. Lommen Abdo client, Pippi Ardennia, an accomplished jazz musician...
The attached article concerning Lommen Abdo's client, GB Leighton, appeared in the October 7 Star Tribune. Brian Leighton, the leader of the band, discusses in the article the business end of running the band. Ken Abdo is quoted in the article.
AFTER RECEIVING DISTINGUISHED AWARD, IT’S BACK TO WORK FOR ATTORNEY AND FORMER NURSE TRYING TO ESTABLISH LINK BETWEEN AUTISM AND CHILDHOOD VACCINES AS SECOND ROUND OF FEDERAL COURT BEGINS OCTOBER 8
Former public health nurse turned attorney Sheila Bjorklund of Lommen, Abdo, Cole, King & Stageberg, P.A., was the first to prevail nationally on a high profile bar...
Noted attorney is founder of Portage Capital and Portage Equity Investments
Bradley H. Lehrman, a well-known Twin Cities attorney, business advisor, private investor, fund manager and board member, has joined the law firm of Lommen, Abdo, Cole, King & Stageberg, P.A, as a shareholder effective September 10, 2007. Lehrman will add a venture capital practice to the firm's growing business practice area (including...
During their international tour, Lommen Abdo music clients, Sierra Leone's Refugee All Stars, performed two shows at the Minnesota State Fair.
The West African band got its start in a Guinean refugee camp after the founding members were forced to flee Sierra Leone during the country’s brutal civil war. The war was the subject of the movie “Blood Diamond” which featured music by this group. Sierra Leone's...
The Minnesota made independent film, Sweet Land, was released on dvd on July 10th. Sweet Land was directed by Lommen Abdo client, Ali Selim, and was filmed near Montevideo, Minnesota. It is the story of a German immigrant arriving in Minnesota as a mail order bride after World War I and is available at outlets such as Target, Best Buy and Amazon.com ($19.99 to $28.00). It is also available for rental on Netflix. Ali Selim...
Minneapolis attorneys Phillip A. Cole and Robert J. King, Jr. of Lommen Abdo Cole King & Stageberg P.A., were inducted into the Litigation Counsel of America at the LCA’s Spring Conference and Induction of Fellows in New York.
Phil Cole is the President of Lommen Abdo. He has extensive litigation experience in handling commercial disputes, business torts, medical malpractice claims, personal injury cases and the defense...
A young boy severely brain injured in a car accident five years ago won a victory against his family’s insurance company when the Minnesota Supreme Court ruled today in his favor. The unusual lawsuit – filed on behalf of the child by his grandmother – appeared to pit the now- eight-year-old Teddy Harrison against his own parents for any negligence in properly strapping the then-three-year old child into his car seat....
The first Omnibus Autism Proceeding hearing on whether or not there is a causal connection between receipt of childhood vaccines and exposure to ethylmercury (thimerosal) through receipt of certain of those vaccines started on June 11, 2007 in Washington, D.C. This hearing will be open to and remotely accessible by the public, including the families who have petitions for compensation pending with the Vaccine Program. The Court of Federal...
After nearly five years of preparation, the first test case for claims in the Omnibus Autism Proceeding in the United States Court of Federal Claims began on June 11, 2007 in the U.S. Federal Circuit Courthouse in Washington, D.C. The Omnibus Autism Proceeding was established in July 2002 as a means to address the common issues of causality in claims brought under the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program ("Program")1. Claimants...
Lommen Abdo and the International Lawyers Network appeared in the May 28th National Law Journal. The article describes ILN, Lommen Abdo’s relationship with them and the success of the global networking system. Margie Bodas is quoted in the article. You can access the article at this link: www.law.com.
Bob Donnelly, a life-long New York music attorney who has been awarded 38 gold and platinum records over his nearly 30 years of representing music clients world-wide, is joining his practice with the growing entertainment department of the Midwest firm of Lommen, Abdo, Cole, King & Stageberg P.A. Donnelly is considered one of the premier artist’s rights lawyers in the country, who brought a recent case with then-New York State Attorney...
Dan Satorius's article "From Book to Screen: Mining Literary Works in the Movie Business" from the Spring 2006 Entertainment and Sports Lawyer has been published in the March 2007 issue of The Best Articles Published by the ABA, a special issue of the General Practice, Solo and Small Firm Division's magazine, GPSolo. The magazine has a circulation of 30,000. This is the first time an article has been selected from the Entertainment and Sports...
Phillip A. Cole recently authored an article for a CLE “Ethics in Everyday Practice,” sponsored by Minnesota State Bar Association Continuing Legal Education. The article, “Engagement and Withdrawal – Ethical and Practical Perspectives” is provided for your review.
Paul Bezilla was interviewed by Minnesota Business for their March 2007 issue. The article highlights Paul’s answers to ten interesting questions about his career.
Deb Swenson participated in a Channel 5 news story concerning cab drivers at the Minneapolis/St. Paul airport refusing to accept passengers with guide dogs. The story was filmed in February. Click here to read the story.
Our client, Ali Selim, won Best First Feature for his film Sweet Land at the Independent Spirit Awards. The film was also nominated for Best Actress for Elizabeth Reaser's performance. The event was held in a tent on the beach in Santa Monica, California and was televised on IFC. The Minnesotans were very sorry to miss the snow storm back home.
Sweet Land was also named as one of the top ten films of 2006 by the Los Angeles Times and by Entertainment Weekly....
Lommen Abdo attorney Dan Satorius made a guest appearance on TECH TALK on Channel 17 - TPT. Dan discussed digital rights management. The program was produced by the University of Minnesota. Lommen Abdo client, Professor Jon Riedl, was also a guest. Listen to the program now. [http://techtalk.umn.edu/episodes/season5/513.shtml]
Lommen Abdo congratulates Esther Robinson. Her documentary, A Walk Into the Sea: Danny Williams and the Warhol Factory, won the Berlin Film Festival Teddy Award for Best Documentary. This is a prestigious award given by one of the most important film festivals in the world.
Please check out The Bridge to Terebithia in movie theaters nationwide. Our client, David Paterson, wrote the screenplay for The Bridge to Terebithia. David worked for 17 years to get his screenplay to screen. The film is produced by Walt Disney Pictures and Walden Media. David's screenplay is based on his mother's well-known book by the same title. Check out a review at: www.themovieboy.com.
Ken Abdo was interviewed for an article about digital distribution that appeared in the January 15th Minneapolis Star Tribune. The article describes digital licensing for ringtones. Ken talked about the growth in this practice and how it affects our clients, including Minneapolis client, Lipps Inc., who recorded the song Funkytown in 1980. Funkytown is a popular song for digital licensing and is even sought after for musical greeting cards.
In his capacity as National Chair of the Grammy® Foundation Entertainment Law Initiative (ELI), Ken Abdo will oversee the administration of a national music law writing contest in which ABA accredited law school students across the country will submit essays on contemporary music law issues for grading by a panel of prominent music lawyers appointed by Ken. There will be five winners, who shall receive scholarships and all expense paid trips to the Grammy...
Congratulations to our client, Ryan Hewitt, for receiving an Album of the Year nomination (as engineer/mixer) for the Red Hot Chili Peppers’ album, Stadium Arcadium.
Booker T. Jones, a client of Lommen Abdo, was named a 2007 Lifetime Achievement GRAMMY Award recipient for his work with the seminal instrumental group Booker T. & The MG's. Also receiving the award with the pioneering keyboardist are guitarist Steve Cropper, bassist Donald "Duck" Dunn, drummer Al Jackson (posthumously), and Lewie Steinberg, the group's original bassist.
The 2006 Toys for Tots campaign was a big success! One hundred and fourteen toys and $400 in cash were collected, and Jenny Olson dropped the donations off at KARE-11 on Thursday, December 20th.
With a resume minted in Los Angeles, veteran entertainment lawyer, Paul Bezilla, has joined the Twin Cities-based law firm of Lommen, Abdo, Cole, King & Stageberg, P.A. Bezilla's 25-plus years in the entertainment industry includes legal services for an array of high profile individuals and companies, including Frank Sinatra, Cher, Quincy Jones, Warner Bros. Records, The Walt Disney Company, PolyGram Music Publishing and K-tel Records. Bezilla's new position...
Lommen, Abdo, Cole, King & Stageberg, P.A. has elected three new shareholders and hired three additional attorneys, as it expands to serve its clients growing needs. The three new shareholders are Tim Matson, entertainment and intellectual property law; Valerie Sims, litigation; and Deb Swenson, bankruptcy litigation. The new hires include Paul Bezilla, entertainment and intellectual property law; Brett Clark, litigation; and Bryan Feldhaus, entertainment...
The casebook “Law and Business of the Entertainment Industries, Fifth Edition” (published by Praeger) is now available. Ken Abdo is one of six contributing authors. The book provides contract templates covering book publishing, recording contracts, actor agreements, video game agreements, and internet agreements, among others.
The book is now available online through Greenwood Press at the following link: http://doi.contentdirections.com.
Leadership Hudson is the Hudson Area Chamber of Commerce & Tourism Bureau's premier community leadership program. This program takes a full day each month, September to June, to bring together emerging leaders from all sectors of the Hudson area. Leadership Hudson is dedicated to providing a comprehensive learning experience that cultivates community leadership while participants explore key community issues and avenues of involvement.
As a side note, our Lommen Abdo...
Reasons for retaining independent appellate counsel were recently explored in an article in the newsletter for small firms on law practice management issues, You Manage Law: www.youmanagelaw.com.
Steve Rathke worked closely with the ILN (International Lawyers Network) in developing the publication of the first ILN Medical Device Specialty Group Roundtable, "How to Lose a Lawsuit by Not Keeping Track of Your E-mails and Documents: Spoliation, Electronic Discovery, and the Avoidance of Sanctions." Steve put in a great deal of effort in developing the questions for the roundtable and subsequently acting as its editor. The publication can be reviewed by clicking...
Lommen Abdo is one of the sponsors for the second annual Upsize Business
Builder Awards and Seminar. This year’s event will be held on Thursday,
October 26th at the Earle Brown Heritage Center in Brooklyn Center
(6155 Earle Brown Drive) from 7:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Stacey DeKalb will be one
of the presenters at the event and will introduce one of the Awards. For a list
of the nominees and more information about the event, see the attached flyer
Kay Hunt will be speaking at the "Supreme Court and Appeals Court Review" CLE presented by the Minnesota Legal Services Coalition on October 6th. The CLE will take place at William Mitchell and Kay will start the day off by co-presenting with Justice Paul H. Anderson on "Minnesota Supreme Court and Court of Appeals Case Review."
Lommen Abdo is one of the sponsors of the ABA's October Annual Meeting of the Forum On Entertainment & Sports Industries in Los Angeles. The Forum on the Entertainment & Sports Industries Governing Committee has done a superb job arranging what adds up to a considerable number of panels, 19 in total. Moreover, the panels cover a vast scope of absorbing topics in music, film, television, sports, interactive media and new technologies, litigation, merchandising and licensing,...
Ehrich Koch, a litigation shareholder at Lommen Abdo, has accepted the invitation of the executive editor of Brownstone Publishers, Inc. (Fifth Ave., New York) to serve on the board of advisors for Brownstone’s newsletter for school curriculum directors. Ehrich has written articles for Brownstone’s publications. The premier issue of the newsletter for curriculum directors will include an article by Ehrich Koch on the teaching of science and Intelligent Design theory.
...
Stacey DeKalb, chair of Lommen Abdo’s Employment Practices, was featured in the May 12th Shop Talk column of the Minneapolis/St. Paul Business Journal, addressing the question: "Should business owners add a noncompete clause in their contracts with essential employees?" She advised: "Business owners should include noncompetition, nonsolicitation and confidentiality clauses in contracts with employees who are in positions to gain valuable knowledge and/or develop...
Congratulations to Lommen Abdo client, songwriter and recording artist of Sugarland, Kristen Hall. She and Sugarland were recently nominated for a Grammy® and an Academy of Country Music Award. She, and the group, won the ACM award for "Top New Duo or Vocal Group." Check out the website www.acmcountry.com.
Negotiating and finalizing a structured settlement for the first time can be a daunting task. Even if you have experience with structured settlements, there are considerations that are not contained in the rules. No matter what your experience level, reviewing the following tips on structured settlements could further protect your clients and yourself.
Have Your Own Structured Settlement Consultant
In order to effectively utilize structured settlements, it is important to have...
Lommen Abdo sponsored client Ali Selim's independent feature film "Sweet Land," the closing night film for the Minneapolis/St. Paul International Film Festival on Sunday, April 30th. The film played to an enthusiastic sold-out / turn-them-away audience of over 700 people at the Riverside Theater in South Minneapolis. The story of the film takes place after WWI in northern Minnesota. A Norwegian farmer and his mail order bride from Norway (who turns out to be German) struggled...
Ken Abdo and Dan Satorius, Lommen Abdo attorneys, are presenters at the 2006 Art & Entertainment Law Institute at the Minnesota CLE Conference Center in May. Tim Matson was Past Chair for this event and helped plan the 2006 event. Ken Abdo will also act as moderator for the session entitled "Bias in Entertainment Law." Lommen Abdo is sponsoring the Wrap Reception at the end of the day. (Click here to review the brochure for this CLE.)
"FROM BOOK TO FILM" this panel...
The following is an excerpt from the April 11th letter which Steve Rathke received from the MSBA:
"It is with great pleasure that I inform you that the Board has reviewed all the material submitted in connection with your recertification application and has determined you meet all standards necessary to be certified as an MSBA Civil Trial Specialist. The Civil Trial Certification Board has recertified you for a period of six years from October 1, 2005. Thank you for your continued support...
The Unsecured Trade Creditors Committee of the American Bankruptcy Institute has printed a new book, "Preference Defense Handbook," written by Deborah Thorne, Jesus Batista, David Wheeler and Carrie Foster. The 104-page book pulls together sample cases organized by circuit to assist practitioners and credit professionals in evaluating the available defenses that may be asserted in a preference avoidance action. Lommen Abdo is one of the sponsoring firms and is listed on the Sponsor Page...
Ken Abdo was selected as National Chair of the Recording Academy's Entertainment Law Initiative (ELI). The recording Academy is the presenter of the Grammy® Awards. ELI is a part of the Grammy® Foundation. ELI's executive committee is comprised of the nation's most prominent music lawyers. Each year, ELI hosts various legal education and advocacy programs across the country, including a national writing contest for law students for which an awards luncheon is held annually during Grammy week...
The 2006 IFP Independent Producers Conference focused on the many elements of shooting on location, whether the script is set in the Little Belt Mountains of Montana or Little Italy. The conference was presented by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (the Academy Awards group), Lommen Abdo, Fredrikson & Byron and KPMG. Via discussions and case studies of the guest producers' films, participants learned everything from scouting, legal fees, permits and insurance to prepping a production...
Lommen Abdo’s Hudson office is participating in the Big Brothers Big Sisters "Bowl for Kids's Sake" event coming to Hudson on May 11th and 12th. Jenny O’Neill and Chris Kusilek are coordinating the firm’s efforts.
Ken Abdo is a contributing author to "Entertainment, Publishing and the Arts Handbook, 2005 - 2006 Edition," just published by Thomson West.
Diane Odeen has been elected a shareholder of Lommen Abdo. A 1998 graduate of Hamline University School of Law, Ms. Odeen focuses her practice in the area of employment litigation, including discrimination actions, whistleblower claims, violations of the Family Medical Leave Act and ERISA, wage and hour disputes, and contract and commissions matters. Ms. Odeen also litigates legal and medical malpractice claims, personal injury matters and insurance disputes. A resident of River Falls, Ms. Odeen has been...
Bob King has been asked by the Minnesota Supreme Court to serve on a short-term task force to review and evaluate the court's program of specialty certification. He has accepted this appointment.
The court adopted rules and established the Minnesota Board of Legal Certification some 20 years ago. Although the court is regularly informed on the work of the Board, it has not had occasion to review the broader issues of specialty certification and what changes may have occurred that impact that program.
Last...
The new year is bringing together two long-standing Midwest-based law firms to create a new firm whose combined talents deepen its collective practice areas and sharpen its competitive edge – all to the benefit of their clients locally, nationally and internationally. Lommen Abdo will open its doors January 1, 2006, combining Lommen, Nelson, Cole & Stageberg, P.A. with Abdo, Abdo, Broady & Satorius, P.A. The official name will be "Lommen, Abdo, Cole, King & Stageberg, P.A."...
Reid Lindquist has been appointed to the Board of Legal Certification by the Minnesota Supreme Court. The Board oversees the process by which lawyers in Minnesota are certified as specialists. The certification process gives the public information about certain attorneys who have earned the right to call themselves specialists in certain fields of law.
The Board:
Defines the fields of law that are subject to specialty designation.
Accredits agencies so that...
Minneapolis – The Fund for the Legal Aid Society honored Roger V. Stageberg for his extraordinary commitment to access to justice at its 24th Annual Law Day Event May 3rd.
Stageberg, a partner with Lommen, Nelson, Cole & Stageberg, P.A., a University of Minnesota alumnus, and a native of Orr, Minnesota, has been an extraordinary friend of legal services for more than 30 years. He has served as a member of the Legal Aid Society of Minneapolis Board of Directors; he continues on the Board of the...
Stacey DeKalb, chair of Lommen Nelson’s Employment Law Practice, offered tips on negotiations at the 2005 Cub Women’s Expo, which returned to the Minneapolis Convention Center January 14, 15, and 16, 2005. This event has grown into one of the largest women’s events in the country, with attendance reaching over 50,000 last year.
The Expo took place on Friday, January 14 (noon to 8 p.m.), Saturday, January 15 (10 a.m. to 6 p.m.), and Sunday, January 16 (10 a.m. to 6 p.m.). For more information about...
Bob King, a shareholder and board member of Lommen Nelson, has been elected president of the Academy of Certified Trial Lawyers of Minnesota. He has also been elected into the American Board of Trial Advocates. ABOTA membership is by invitation only and requires a minimum of 20 jury trials. Reid Lindquist of Lommen Nelson is also a member. The preservation of the civil jury trial, "Justice by the People," is the primary purpose of ABOTA. The organization seeks attorneys who display skill, civility and integrity,...
The Lommen Nelson Foundation recently made a donation to the Riverway Park Partnership to help renovate Veteran's Park in downtown River Falls, Wisconsin. The firm's donation will be duly noted on a plaque in the park. The Riverway Park Partnership is a project of the River Falls Rotary Club. Diane Odeen is a member of the River Falls Rotary Club.
Kay Hunt serves on Southern Minnesota Regional Legal Services’ (SMLRS) Leadership Committee. She was asked to join that committee by Esther Tomljanovich, retired Supreme Court Justice.
Lommen Nelson is the only Minnesota law firm in the International Lawyers Network (ILN). ILN is an association of 82 high quality, full service law firms with over 4,200 lawyers worldwide, including lawyers in 22 cities in the United States. Lommen Nelson’s membership in the network provides our clients with easily accessible legal services in 61 countries on six continents. The organization carefully screens applicants for membership so that its members are assured that the law firm to which a referral is made is of...
Virchow, Krause & Company, LLP has included Lommen Nelson in its Preferred Provider Program. The primary objective of the Preferred Provider Program is to make the best service providers available for its clients. Dana House, the former regional managing partner in Minneapolis, spearheaded this project. Virchow Krause spent time interviewing service providers such as law firms, financial institutions, consultants, insurance professions, etc., so that they could meet face to face with each person and determine where there...