Outside General Counsel + Deal Lawyer for Private Companies and Investment Funds
With 25 years of experience as a business and transactional attorney, I serve as outside general counsel to privately held companies and act as lead deal counsel on M&A and financing transactions across a wide range of industries. My goal is to help clients close deals efficiently, manage risk practically, and make decisions with confidence.
I work closely with business owners, investors, management teams, and boards on matters ranging from startup formation to exit planning. Whether it’s a buyout, a fundraising round, or a joint venture, I bring a solutions-oriented, business-first approach that balances legal clarity with deal momentum.
Practical Counsel Across the Business Lifecycle
I regularly advise clients on:
- Mergers and acquisitions, representing buyers, sellers, and investors
- Raising capital, including early-stage investments and private placements
- Shareholder agreements, founder transitions, and internal buyouts
- Joint ventures and complex commercial transactions
- Fund formation and structuring for private equity, venture capital, real estate, and opportunity zone funds
- Commercial contracts and LLC agreements
- Equity compensation
- Corporate governance and shareholder disputes
My experience spans a range of sectors including business services, transportation, industrial manufacturing, and health care—bringing both transactional depth and sector fluency to each engagement.
Investment Fund and Compliance Experience
I also counsel investment advisers, fund managers, family offices, and institutional investors on:
- Fund structuring and formation
- Compliance with exemptions under the Investment Adviser Act, Investment Company Act, and Commodities Exchange Act
- Secondary sales of alternative investments
- Regulatory and operational issues facing emerging and mid-size fund managers
Business-Minded Legal Support with Financial Roots
My background in corporate finance—including financial planning and cash management roles at Fortune 500 companies—gives me a strong foundation for understanding the real-world financial drivers behind every deal. That perspective informs the practical, day-to-day legal guidance I provide as outside general counsel.
I’m also proud to advise and support women-owned businesses through certification guidance and past service on the certification committee of Minnesota’s Women’s Business Development Center.
Business + Corporate
- Business formations and restructurings
- Buy-sell and shareholder agreements to provide for structured operation and transition
- Manufacturing, supply, distribution, licensing and other commercial agreements
- Sales representative agreements and terminations
- Professional services agreements
- Limited liability company (LLC) and operating agreements
- Agreements to maintain confidentiality of preliminary discussions, relationship terms and trade secrets
- Joint venture agreements, with a focus on management and control issues
- Equity incentive plans, award documents and corporate approvals encompassing incentive and non-qualified options, profits interests and phantom ownership grants.
- Shareholder disputes, squeeze outs and buy outs
- Ownership transitions of family-owned and closely-held businesses
Startups & Financing
- Represented manufacturer and distributor of patented products in the electric utilities industry and advised on capital structure of company to maintain founder’s control of the company. Established a profits interest plan to incent key employees through ownership of the company. Worked with the founder to identify appropriate buy-out triggers and prices for employees depending on the circumstances of their termination of employment
- Represented a medical device company in a multi-state private offering of common stock, including drafting of offering documents and securities law compliance
- Represented a medical technology start up in structuring founders’ stock and use of SAFEs as a practical and cost-effective way to raise capital at an early stage
Banking and Lending
- Structuring and formation of $100M tax-advantaged multi-asset real estate opportunity zone investment fund
- Formation of hedge fund investing in crypto currencies
- Representation of institutional investors as LPs in private funds and alternative investment vehicles, including review of LP Agreements and completion of subscription agreements
- Representation of institutional LPs in secondary sales of interests in Private Funds
- Representation of, formation and organization of private equity, hedge, real estate, search and opportunity zone funds, including GPs and Managers
- Serve as outside general counsel to private and hedge funds, handling a variety of matters including fund formation, securities law compliance, investment advisor compliance, portfolio company acquisitions, commercial lease issues and routine employment questions
Mergers & Acquisitions
- Represented a Midwest PE fund in the roll up of more than a dozen heating and cooling companies
- Represented a Midwest PE fund in the acquisition and sale of an industrial manufacturing company with a $300 million enterprise value
- Represented a Midwest PE fund in the acquisition and sale of an industrial manufacturing company with a $300 million enterprise value
- Represented a private equity sponsor in the sale of a medical-grade plastics manufacturing business, which transaction marked more than a dozen transactions closed by Lisa in the plastics industry
- Represented management in the sale of a leading Midwest restaurant equipment supplier to a private equity backed strategic buyer
- Represented a private equity fund in the multi-step sale of minority interest, followed by sale of controlling interest, in a portfolio company to a financial investor
- Represented a private equity fund’s leveraged acquisition and roll-up of 3 manufacturing companies with senior secured and subordinated credit facilities
- Represented founder and minority owners in the sale of a traffic control service business to a search funder
- Represented founders and minority owners of a businesses providing financial advisory services in the sale of the company to a buyer listed on the London Stock Exchange
- Represented the founder of a national food service management group in a sale to a strategic buyer
- Represented an executive in transition in private equity deal, including review and negotiation of organizational documents of portfolio company, employment agreement and equity-based compensation package
- Represented European-based manufacturer of scientific and medical aroma therapy products in its acquisition of a Minnesota-based company, including advising on US market terms and law, performing due diligence, and drafting and negotiating the acquisition documents
Employment & Executive Counsel
- Represented an executive in transition in private equity deal, including review and negotiation of organizational documents of portfolio company, employment agreement and equity-based compensation package
- Preparation of equity incentive plans, award documents and corporate approvals, encompassing incentive and non-qualified options, profits interests and phantom ownership grants.
Real Estate & Development
- Serve as outside general counsel to real estate construction and development company, handling a variety of matters including entity formation, corporate legal needs for 80+ SPEs and issuances of profits interests and employee incentives
- Structured and formed a $100M tax-advantaged multi-asset real estate opportunity zone investment fund
- Negotiated option and joint venture agreement for acquisition of real property and formation and management of a qualified opportunity zone fund for a national real estate development and construction company
- Structured and closed more than a dozen real estate funds and private offerings raising money for the acquisition of hundreds of multi-family units for a Midwest real estate investment team
- Advised and negotiated joint venture, including management and control issues, for a Midwest real estate development company
Technology Enterprises
- Represented a medical device company in a multi-state private offering of common stock, including drafting of offering documents and securities law compliance
- Represented a medical technology start up in structuring founders’ stock and use of SAFEs as a practical and cost-effective way to raise capital at an early stage.
- Assisted a cybersecurity business with its reseller agreement
- Outside general counsel for a two-sided digital marketplace or platform service operating in the healthcare support and home improvement sectors, including SAFES, securities law compliance, employment matters, equity grants, board agreements, and sales of service agreements
International
- Represented European-based manufacturer of scientific and medical aroma therapy products in its acquisition of a Minnesota-based company, including advising on US market terms and law, performing due diligence, and drafting and negotiating the acquisition documents
- Represented founders and minority owners of a businesses providing financial advisory services in the sale of the company to a buyer listed on the London Stock Exchange
Education
- William Mitchell College of Law, J.D. summa cum laude
- University of Minnesota, M.B.A. Finance
- Georgetown University, B.S. Foreign Service, cum laude
Bar Admissions
- Minnesota
Publications
- “Changes to Minnesota Investment Adviser Regulation for Investment Advisers and Private Fund Managers,” FredALERT: Investment Management, October 2013
Presentations
- Panelist, MBBI MN, “Using Equity to Motivate Key Employees,” March 2025
- Speaker, Club E, “Business Through Acquisition: Purchasing Your First Business and Beyond,” March 2025
- Panelist, MBBI MN, “Trends in Manufacturing,” September 2024
- Presenter, MSBA Business Law CLE, “You, Your Clients and Imminent Beneficial Owner Reporting to FinCEN,” March 2021
- Panelist, Finance & Commerce: Opportunities for Buying and Selling a Business in 2021, February 25, 2021
- Speaker, Club E , “Navigating M&A”, November 2023
- Speaker, MSBA, Corporate Transparency Act,” March 2021
- Panelist, MNCREW, February Program – Opportunities in O-Zones: A Primer for Busy Real Estate Professionals, February 2019
- MSBA Business Law Section 302A Committee
- Association for Corporate Growth Program Committee, 2013-2017
- MSBA former Business Law Section Partnership/LLC Committee Member
- MSBA former Legislative Coordinator, Business Law Section
- Minneapolis Veterans Affairs, Legal Clinic volunteer, 2016-2018
- Minnesota Women Lawyers, Advisory Board, 2014-2019; Nominating Committee, 2018
- Girls in Action, Co-Chairman, Board of Directors, 2012-2014
- Prevent Child Abuse Minnesota, Board of Directors, 1996-1997
- Women’s Business Development Center, Minnesota Advocacy Award, 2012
- Women’s Business Development Center, Advisory Committee, 2006-2018
“Lisa provided excellent advice and counsel to my partners in the process of selling our business. We could not have been happier with her clear-eyed insights, practical suggestions and quick response time. Lisa is a top-notch counselor with a great ability to help and guide small and medium-sized businesses as they navigate growth opportunities. Highly recommend!” – Linda S. Habgood, CEO, Delphos International
“Lisa was part of the team in selling my subcontracting business. Her extensive M&A experience and expertise were invaluable in negotiating and structuring the deal to the best possible outcome. Throughout the process, she provided shrewd guidance and sage advice. I feel she represented us exceptionally well.” – Tamelyn Peper, President, EBS
“Lisa has been a tremendous asset in achieving GBR’s acquisition strategy. Deeply experienced in M&A, she uses that knowledge to help guide the deal while retaining common sense and practicality in her recommendations. Responsive and customer-focused, she’s been great to work with and continues to be a valued member of my team.” – Michael Kelker, Operating Executive
“Lisa is a consummate professional who can connect easily with individuals or command a room as necessary. In a society filled with people who listen only for their chance to respond, Lisa has a way of listening and making one feel heard and understood. She is knowledgeable, patient, disciplined and methodical in her approach to every situation. I am pleased to have been referred to her years ago and give her to name to anyone who has a need.” – Kelly McDyre, Executive Director, Faith’s Lodge
“I had the pleasure of working with Lisa for five years when I was CFO of a medical device start-up company. Lisa’s expertise, guidance, and responsiveness were invaluable during the formation of our company and our numerous rounds of private placement financing. I will certainly be calling Lisa for any of my future corporate legal needs.” – Sean Lawler, CFO
“I had the pleasure of working with Lisa while I was the CEO of Midwest Plastic Components (MPC) and CEO of Spectrum Plastics Group. Lisa and her team performed exceptionally well when we acquired and integrated multiple companies over a very brief period of time to form the Spectrum Plastics Group. The experience and expertise Lisa and her team brought to the management team of MPC in negotiating and structuring Purchase Agreements, Real Estate Leases, Employee Contracts, Intellectual Property, Debt Instruments and other business issues was instrumental in timely acquisitions and successful integrations.” – Peter Thompson, Advisor at Thompson LLC
“I worked with Lisa on a few transactions and found here to be diligent, timely and very organized. She is a terrific advocate for her clients and great to work with!” – Randy Ahlm, CEO, PSI Molded Plastics
