John Saunders
Attorney At Law
jsaunders@avisenlegal.com
612-799-4077
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Areas of Practice
“I love helping entrepreneurs manage risk and solve problems.”
Bar Admissions
- Minnesota
I am an experienced real estate and business attorney and focus my practice on advising business owners and licensed professionals including dental practices with succession planning and transitions as well as their general corporate matters.
I regularly counsel clients in all aspects of commercial real estate and have deep experience working with restaurants and retailers. My experience stems from having served as general counsel for a multi-unit franchisee with over 60 locations.
Serving Dental Practices with Their Real Estate and Business Legal Needs
Over the years, I am proud to have helped dentists through the lifecycle of their practices including helping them structure their first employment or buy-in agreement, and growing with them to assist on adding dentists to their practice, reviewing employment agreements, assisting with various contracts dentists enter into, up to helping them buy or merge a practice into theirs, or sell their practice when the time is right.
Helping Independent Grocers Achieve Success
Throughout my career I have been able to help the many independent grocery stores in Minnesota acquire the real estate they need to expand their operations. Many view me as their go-to lawyer for all aspects of their business. Through my own background in business and real estate, the team I have to draw upon at Avisen Legal, I am happy to provide independent grocers with the legal team they need to operate efficiently, and to continue expanding their base of revenue.
Real Estate Entrepreneurs
Having served as in-house counsel for a quick service restaurant and real estate holding company, my current real estate development clients benefit from that experience, because I know how real estate owners and operators think. Whether it’s buying a piece of land, renting an office space or developing an apartment building, I enjoy working with real estate entrepreneurs to help them manage risk and efficiently
Business and Commercial Law
Client’s Issue: Client wanted to buy two grocery stores in close markets simultaneously from two different sellers
My Approach: No nonsense, collaborative approach built on years of experience in the independent grocer market and an efficient legal spend
Result: Two successful closings went off without a hitch simultaneously
Type of Client: Financial Advisory Firm
Client’s Issue: Succession planning in the short- and medium-term
My Approach: Work to understand the client’s business and approach, advise on the available options, make decisions and get it done.
Result: Phase one of the succession plan is complete!
Type of Client: Independent Grocer
Client’s Issue: Selling a store to a competitor
My Approach: Start with a down the middle, no nonsense form of purchase agreement that has worked on multiple independent grocer transactions, and focus on a successful, efficient closing.
Result: Store is sold!
Impact Counsel
Client’s Issue: Need to amend and restate a lease for bio facility that lender took possession of
My Approach: Prioritize major items for requests to the counterparty and analyze risk of items not worth using leverage for
Result: Successful amended and restated lease
Licensed Professionals
Client’s Issue: Document transaction and navigate closing of a transaction with a family friend without over-lawyering the transaction while protecting my client’s interests
My Approach: Collaborate with co-counsel to accurately document the transaction and keep the deal streamlined
Result: Successful closing!
Type of Client: Successful Dental Practice
Client’s Issue: Needed a lawyer who could advise on building a new practice from the ground up
My Approach: Leverage years of real estate experience and focus on dental professionals to navigate land acquisition, entitlements, lending and construction in an efficient manner
Result: Successful ground up dental practice where my child gets to see the dentist in a very cool, kid-friendly space!
Type of Client: Successful Dental Practice
Client’s Issue: Wanted to expand their leased clinic space, but didn’t trust the landlord
My Approach: Comprehensive review of existing lease documents and analysis on the history of the lease relationship; prioritizing big ticket items for successful dental practice
Result: Amendment to lease with expansion of clinic space signed!
Outside General Counsel
Client’s Issue: Needed a lawyer to fill the role of in-house general counsel
My Approach: I served as VP and General Counsel for a Wendy’s franchisee that operates 55 restaurants in the Twin Cities
Result: Minimized the legal risk of 55 franchisees in Minnesota by serving as their in-house legal generalist
Type of Client: Dental Practice
Client’s Issue: Needed support starting a practice and operating it
My Approach: I worked with the client to start their dental practice including all real estate, contracts, employment law, and general business support; continued serving as the dental offices outside general counsel
Result: Very successful practice that has grown dramatically over the years
Type of Client: Independent Grocer
Client’s Issue: Stated need for a go-to lawyer to answer questions and manage risk for the store, but no budget to hire a full-time in-house general counsel
My Approach: I conducted a legal audit to determine any burning legal issues, and over the years, have served as the grocer’s outside in-house lawyer. I attend management meetings, and operate as a corporate general counsel at a fraction of the cost.
Result: The client has continued to increase revenue and buy additional stores
Real Estate
Client’s Issue: Assembled multiple properties for new multifamily project
My Approach: Leverage years of real estate experience to efficiently document acquisition and manage risk
Result: Properties acquired and awaiting construction
Type of Client: Commercial Tenant
Client’s Issue: The client loved their new space, but the broker recommended having a lawyer review the lease
My Approach: Worked on a fixed-scope and budget for the lease review and leveraged years of leasing experience to obtain meaningful concessions from the Landlord
Result: Happy commercial tenant!
Type of Client: Real Estate Developer
Client’s Issue: New Markets Tax Credits loan documents and opinion required
My Approach: Worked on a fixed-scope budget to review loan documents and develop legal opinions. Leveraged my years of representing borrowers; efficiently negotiated loan documents and provided opinion
Result: Successful New Markets Tax Credits closing!
- University of St. Thomas School of Law
- St. Cloud State University—M.A. in Rhetoric and Composition
- St. John’s University—B.A. in English
- Board of Directors — Avenues for Youth
- Avenues for Youth has provided more than 27 years of support to youth aged 16-24 in Hennepin County, offering stable housing, building relationships, and guiding them towards their education, career, health and wellness, and housing goals.
- Vice President — Roosevelt Soccer Booster Club
- The Roosevelt Soccer Booster Club supports and raises funds for Roosevelt’s soccer program, including expenses such as equipment, uniforms, travel, and other related costs.
- St. John’s University Alumni Achievement Award, 2020
- St. Cloud State University’s Distinguished Thesis Award, 2002
- Minnesota Dental Entrepreneurs
- Former Chair, Hennepin County Bar Association Real Property Section
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