Our Emerging Growth Business / Venture Capital Section

Lommen Abdo represents clients with a wide variety of Emerging Growth Business / Venture Capital issues. We are available to assist our clients, both individuals and businesses, with private placements, public offerings, and other capital raising endeavors. We offer advice to clients regarding compliance with state and federal laws and regulations and work with them on disclosure, registration and other matters. For more information about Emerging Growth Business / Venture Capital, contact Brad Lehrman at 612-336-9317 or blehrman@lommen.com, or 800-752-4297.

BRADLEY H. LEHRMAN JOINS LOMMEN ABDO; BUSINESSMAN/PRACTITIONER ADDS TO FIRM'S DEPTH IN CORPORATE SECURITIES AND VENTURE CAPITAL PRACTICE AREAS

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 entity formation, mergers and acquisitions, business transactions, entertainment, contracts, intellectual property, corporate, securities, employment, bankruptcy, estate planning and probate, real estate and commercial litigation). Lehrman's new association offers him access to Lommen Abdo's offices in Minneapolis; Hudson, Wisconsin; and New York City.

Lehrman was the founder and president of Portage Capital, Inc. and was founder and fund manager of Portage Equity Investments, two early stage accredited venture capital funds whose portfolio companies included emerging growth software, medical device, biotech, health sciences, telecommunications, semiconductor, IT technology and publishing companies.

"Lommen Abdo's business practice is recognized as top-notch and the firm wants to extend that practice into the venture capital area," says Lehrman. "Lommen Abdo offers me an excellent opportunity to greatly expand both my networks and the firm's presence within the Twin Cities and the western Wisconsin business communities. My Lommen Abdo colleagues provide my practice with deep bench strength, allowing me to tailor services for my clients. And the firm's entrepreneurial spirit readily aligns with the way my clients approach their businesses," he stressed. "I am looking forward to working alongside some of the area's most respected attorneys."

"Brad Lehrman's practice is an ideal complement to our current business practice. With his personal experience and entrepreneurial philosophy - and his abounding energy - he will be a great asset to our 15person corporate team," notes Margie Bodas, attorney and vice president of practice management at Lommen Abdo. "Brad will work with some of the area's best business lawyers, including Bob Abdo and Roger Stageberg, who are perennial Super Lawyers. Mr. Lehrman is well connected in the entrepreneurial world and the investment community and we're delighted he's joined our ranks."

"With Brad Lehrman's expertise, vast network and keen instincts for deal making, our firm will now have an even more intensely focused team of business attorneys to address the complex legal issues that emerging business clients face in the 21st century," says Bob Abdo, co-chair of Lommen Abdo's Business Law group. "Like many in our business group, Brad has hands-on experience in these business efforts and clients appreciate that Lommen Abdo's lawyers know what it's like to be on both sides of the table. We're fortunate to have him join us."

Bob Abdo with Brad Lehrman

Lehrman's hiring was met with a round of similar accolades in the Twin Cities business community:

"Brad's more than just an attorney," notes Jeff O'Dell, who has known and worked with Lehrman for more than 10 years, and who is the founder and CEO of Bewiki, LLC. "He's always strong on business strategy and has provided not only strategic legal counsel but investment, moral support and a good sense of humor. He's an advancer, someone who can move things down the field with an acute understanding of corporate finance."

"Lehrman's real-world perspective and understanding of corporate finance, along with his infectious enthusiasm and entrepreneurial spirit, make him a valuable businessman and attorney to have on your side," says Jeff Wright, Vice President, Midwest Wind Finance, which finances wind energy projects across the country. "He's extremely well connected and has strong relationships with other investors."

"I don't make any strategic moves without Brad Lehrman's counsel," adds Howard Milstein, President of Medi-Stem USA, a medical device company. "He's creative, clever and 'gets it' immediately in any business setting. He's a man of great vision and understands the processes to realize that vision, plus he has an enormous network. He knows who to pull together to promote development and growth. Plus, I consider him a personal friend as well as a trusted business advisor."

Lehrman began his professional career as a corporate attorney with the Minneapolis law firm of Larkin, Hoffman, Daly & Lindgren before moving to St. Louis and joining the law firm of Gallop, Johnson, and Neuman. He most recently was practicing in the Corporate and Emerging Growth practice area for Messerli & Kramer of Minneapolis.

The Portage Equity Portfolio holdings include: SterilMed Inc.; Magnum Technologies Inc.; Impress Medical Inc,; Link-Up Inc; Excorp Medical Inc.; People Flow Software; Celleration Inc.; ProUroCare, Iconoculture Inc.; Medisyn Technologies Inc., Cima Nanotech Inc. and MetaMorphix Inc. Before founding Portage in 1993, Lehrman was the national director of the Social Investment Forum, an association of institutional portfolio mangers and financial professionals that directed capital to socially responsible businesses.

Lehrman is active in many venture capital and emerging growth associations such as The Minnesota Cup, where he recently served on the review board for the annual statewide competition that seeks out aspiring entrepreneurs and their breakthrough ideas. The Minnesota Cup is sponsored by the University of Minnesota and Wells Fargo. Lommen Abdo is also a sponsor of the this year's I-Q Corridor Investors' Symposium set for October 3rd at the University of Wisconsin, River Falls.

BAR ADMISSIONS

Minnesota

Missouri

EDUCATION

William Mitchell College of Law, J.D.

Carleton College, B.A.

AFFILIATIONS

Minnesota State Bar Association

Minnesota Venture Capital Association

University of Minnesota Business Advisory Council

Minnesota Advocates for Human Rights, past board member

Adath Synagogue, board member

Minnesota Interfaith Darfur Coalition, board member

The Minnesota Cup, Judge

Minnesotan's Military Appreciation Fund (MMAF), steering committee