Practical Legal Guidance from a Business-Minded Transactional Attorney
I’m Edward Culhane, a seasoned transactional attorney with a business-first mindset. Before law, I ran companies, managed P&Ls, and led operations—which means I don’t just understand legal issues, I know what it takes to run and grow a business in practice.
Today, I work closely with venture capital funds, private equity firms, family offices, angel investors, and real estate syndicators, as well as entrepreneurs and business owners at every stage. Many of my clients rely on me as their on-call general counsel, supporting everything from entity formation to complex exit planning.
End-to-End Support for Business, Capital, and Growth
My legal practice covers a wide spectrum of transactional and strategic legal needs. I regularly advise clients on:
- Capital raising and securities compliance
- Mergers and acquisitions, joint ventures, and restructuring
- Commercial contracts and complex deal structuring
- Real estate syndications and investment fund formation
- Software, technology, and IP licensing agreements
- Equity compensation and executive agreements
- Corporate governance and shareholder disputes
Whether you’re scaling a startup, structuring a fund, acquiring a competitor, or protecting your IP, I provide clear, business-oriented legal advice to help you move forward with confidence.
Deep Industry Knowledge with a Track Record of Results
While I work across industries, I have especially deep experience in:
- Real estate syndications and fund structuring
- Manufacturing and distribution
- Software and technology development
- Specialty food and beverage brands
- Fintech and payment platforms
- State-legal cannabis and industrial hemp
One of my more unconventional roles involved helping launch and serve as General Counsel for a cannabis company co-founded by boxer Mike Tyson in Los Angeles—a project that combined startup agility with regulatory complexity and global brand visibility.
Legal Experience Grounded in Real-World Business
My career has taken me through big law, solo practice, and in-house counsel roles. I spent 13 years at a prominent law firm focusing on private equity, venture deals, real estate, M&A, and IP transactions. I’ve also built and managed multiple companies, giving me firsthand experience with the demands of business ownership and client service.
Early in my legal career, I had the privilege of clerking for the Hon. Donald P. Lay of the Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals in St. Paul, Minnesota. Before law school, I served as operations manager for a $10 million building products distributor, overseeing financial performance, personnel, and vendor relationships.
Grounded, Practical, and Always Straightforward
Clients appreciate that I bring practical, business-savvy guidance—not just legal analysis. I listen closely, respond quickly, and don’t overcomplicate things. Whether I’m drafting a tight set of investor documents or helping an owner resolve a shareholder dispute, I aim to get results without the runaround.
Outside the Office
I live in South Minneapolis and spend as much time outdoors as I can. I love fishing with my grandsons and pheasant hunting with my two yellow Labradors, Sven and Ole (yes, it’s a Minnesota thing). I’m also proud to have served as an enlisted infantryman in the United States Army Reserve, where I was honored to be named U.S. Army Reserve Soldier of the Year in 1990.
Business + Corporate
Type of Client: High growth specialty foods
Client’s Issue: Cash Flow
My Approach: Convert the LLC to a C corporation to reduce the cash drain from tax distributions
Result: More cash retained in the business to fund growth
Startups + Financing
Type of Client: Emerging growth Fin Tech
Client’s Issue: Needed capital to fund business plans
My Approach: Convertible bridge notes
Result: Able to raise the cash needed to sustain operations until sales would allow a higher valuation
Mergers + Acquisitions
Type of Client: Trucking and logistics
Client’s Issue: Lack of access to key markets
My Approach: Acquire 3PL located in key market
Result: Expanded geography and revenues for client
Employment + Executive Counsel
Type of Client: Mining and manufacturing
Client’s Issue: Needed successor CEO to replace retiring founder
My Approach: Work with board to establish a process, vet candidates and develop equity incentive plan
Result: New CEO that will take the company to the next level
Real Estate + Development
Type of Client: Real estate developer
Client’s Issue: Needing equity capital to obtain senior bank financing
My Approach: Organize corporate structure and Reg D private placement
Result: $10 million in cash
Education
- D., Mitchell Hamline School of Law
- Summa Cum Laude
- A., Political Science. University of Minnesota
- Cum Laude
Bar Admissions
- California
- Colorado
- Minnesota
- Wisconsin
- Board member of Midwest Business Brokers and Intermediaries, Minnesota chapter.
- Named a 2024 Top Lawyer in Minnesota by Minnesota Monthly magazine.
- Named to the Minnesota Rising Star list by Super Lawyers magazine
