Congratulations to Tom MacIntosh and Dennis Monroe who were selected by their peers for inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America® 2009 in the area of franchise law (Copyright 2008 by Woodward/White, Inc., of Aiken, S.C.) and featured in the June 2009 issue of Minnesota Monthly magazine. 

Congratulations to John Berg, Barry Blum, Randy Evans, Andy Hall, Scott Husaby, Tom MacIntosh, Dennis Monroe and Jim Wahl.  Named 2009 "Legal Eagles" by their colleagues and peers in the franchise community, they are recognized in the May 2009 issue of Franchise Times magazine.

Krass Monroe is pleased to announce the naming of two new partners:  Justin D. Johnson and Shanna L. Strowbridge.  Click here for press release.

Krass Monroe was represented at the International Franchise Association Legal Symposium by John Berg, Barry Blum, Tom MacIntosh, Ryan Palmer and Jim Wahl. Held May 17-19, 2009 in Washington, DC, the symposium program focused on exploring solutions to pressing legal and business issues facing the franchise community.  John Berg spoke on "Saving the Franchise Relationship Before Financial Failure - Workouts and Restructuring the Franchise Relationship."   Jim Wahl spoke on "Frequently Arising Issues in Litigation - Analysis of Goals and Objectives of Litigation."  Ryan Palmer lead a round table discussion on "Financing Your Franchisees in the Current Credit Environment:  Legal Issues," and Barry Blum lead a discussion on "Working with Financially Distressed Franchisees."

Randy Evans and Dennis Monroe were featured speakers at the Franchise Finance and Development Conference, May 4-6, 2009 in Las Vegas, NV.  The purpose of the conference is to provide resources to help attendees navigate through the economic and financial challenges facing franchise companies in today's current marketplace.  Randy lead a panel of franchisors discussing "Successful Franchise Finance Programs and Other Keys to Success."  Dennis presented on "Franchise Financing 2009:  Options, Availability, Terms and Pricing."  Tom MacIntosh also represented the firm at the conference. 

May 1, 2009 was Law Day.  To recognize this day, Krass Monroe attorneys Molly Hamilton and Tom MacIntosh participated in the Minnesota State Bar Association “Lawyers in the Schools” program.  Molly and Tom walked students through an activity provided by the MSBA celebrating President Lincoln’s Bicentennial.

Krass Monroe was a sponsor and four of our attorneys attended the annual Restaurant Leadership Conference held in Scottsdale, AZ on April 20-22, 2009.  The focused sessions were designed to educate key restaurant operators, vendors and suppliers.   Those attending were John Berg, Barry Blum, Randy Evans and Dennis Monroe.  John Berg and Dennis Monroe were also featured speakers at a morning breakfast discussing “Tax Strategies for Tough Times.”

John Berg, firm shareholder and member of the firm Corporate Finance and Mergers and Acquisitions practice group, gave a presentation on March 24, 2009 to the Minneapolis Chapter of the Alliance of Merger & Acquisition Advisors on "Current Legal Issues in Investment Banking and M&A."

Dennis Monroe, Chairman of Krass Monroe, has added a new role to his responsibilities.  In addition to being the firm Chair, Dennis is now the CEO and General Counsel for Parasole Restaurant Holdings.  Click here to review the press release.

Krass Monroe attorneys spoke at the 2009 Buffalo Wild Wings Convention.  The national convention was held March 2-5, 2009 in Orlando, FL.  Firm shareholders, Scott Husaby and Justin Johnson, spoke to the franchisees on Estate Planning and Wealth Preservation issues.   Dennis Monroe, firm Chairman, and John Hamburger of Franchise Times Corporation, addressed the current state of the franchise finance market. 

Congratulations to Scott Husaby.  A firm shareholder and member of the firm Wealth Preservation practice group, Scott has been named a FIVE STAR: Best in Client Satisfaction Wealth Manager for 2009 by MplsSt.Paul and Twin Cities Business Monthly magazines.  More than 34,000 consumers and 4,200 financial service professionals were asked to evaluate wealth managers in the Twin Cities area and Scott was named to the final list.

Krass Monroe announces our acceptance in the International Society of Primerus Law Firms.  Primerus is a highly selective alliance of small to medium-size, independent law firms that are vetted and accredited for membership based on their commitment to rigorous standards based on the following six principles:  integrity, excellence of work product, reasonable fee structure, professional education, civility, and community service.  To learn more about Primerus, please visit www.Primerus.com.

Congratulations to our "Rising Stars."  Five Krass Monroe attorneys have been selected by Minnesota Law & Politics magazine as Minnesota Rising Stars.   The selection process involves a survey of all Minnesota Super Lawyers and independent research to identify outstanding, up-and-coming attorneys who have demonstrated superior professional potential.   Our 2009 Minnesota Rising Stars are Ben Court, Andy Hall, Molly Hamilton, Justin Johnson, and Ryan Palmer.

For the 19th consecutive year, attorneys at Krass Monroe were presenters at the Restaurant Finance and Development Conference, November 9 – 11, at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas, Nevada.  Dennis Monroe participated in the presentation “Restaurant Finance 101 for the Non-Financial Conference Participant” and was the panel moderator for the annual Success Breakfast where successful industry operators shared their stories and highlighted the strategies that have contributed to their success.  Jim Wahl and Ryan Palmer gave a presentation on how to “Optimize the Value of Your Trademarks and Fuel Growth Domestically and Internationally.”  Dennis Monroe closed the conference appearing on a panel providing “Tips for Raising Capital for Small and Medium Size Restaurant Chains.”  Additionally representing the firm at the conference were John Berg, Randy Evans, Scott Husaby, and Barry Blum.  Krass Monroe was also a conference event sponsor.  

Krass Monroe participated as a corporate sponsor at the Celebration!! 08 Burger King® franchisee conference.  Occurring on October 26-30, 2008, the conference provided an opportunity for Burger King franchisees from the Great Lakes, Tri-States, Midwest, New England and Hispanic Franchise associations to get together and discuss important issues affecting their businesses.  John Berg, Barry Blum and Randy Evans represented the firm at the conference in San Juan, Puerto Rico.

Krass Monroe is pleased to welcome Rachel Myers to the firm.  Rachel is a member of the firm's Litigation Practice Group.

Congratulations to Mark Moxness for being named one of the "Top 40 Attorneys in Estate Planning, Probate and Elder Law."  The list is based on the Minnesota Law & Politics Super Lawyer Survey® results.  Mark is a shareholder and member of the Wealth Preservation, Business Law, and Taxation practice groups.  Mark's profile is featured in the October/November 2008 issue of Minnesota Law & Politics magazine.

Congratulations to John Berg, Jim Casserly, John "Jack" Harper III, Rod Krass, Tom MacIntosh, Dennis Monroe and Mark Moxness who have been selected as Minnesota Super Lawyers for 2008.   MSP Communications has recognized our attorneys and published the Super Lawyers listing in three publications:  Twin Cities Business Monthly, Minnesota Law & Politics and Mpls/St. Paul.  This honor is a reflection of the firm's commitment to excellence and client service.

Krass Monroe is pleased to announce that W. Barry Blum has joined the law firm as Of Counsel.  Barry is a franchise lawyer with over 25 years of experience as a litigation attorney and spent 10 years in senior legal and franchising roles including Senior Vice President Deputy General Counsel and Senior Vice President Franchising and Market Development for Burger King Corporation.  According to firm Chair, Dennis Monroe, "Barry is a real friend of the franchise community, and he is always looking to see how franchisees can succeed.  Barry's role is really key for us in helping our franchisee community."  Barry joins the firm Franchise, Distribution and Intellectual Property and Corporate Finance - M&A practice groups.   Prior to joining Krass Monroe, Barry most recently served franchise and mediation clients as the managing member of his own LLC in Miami, Florida, where he will continue to be based.  Read Press Release.

Congratulations to Jim Wahl who is listed in "Who's Who in Intellectual Property" in the June/July issue of Minnesota Law & Politics magazine.  Jim is Co-Chair of the firm's Franchise, Distribution and Intellectual Property practice group.

Dennis Monroe was a presenter at the 2008 AICPA National Restaurants Conference.  The conference was held at Caesars Palace on June 8-10, 2008.  He presented on "Legal Issues in the Restaurant Industry" on Sunday, June 8th and was a panel member on Monday, June 9th for "Deal or No Deal - A Private Finance Discussion". His final presentation, "Different Issues to Consider When Representing Franchisors Versus Franchisees", was on Tuesday, June 10th,

Congratulations to Tom MacIntosh who was selected by his peers for inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America® 2008 (Copyright 2007 by Woodward/White, Inc., of Aiken, S.C.) and featured in the June 2008 issue of Minnesota Monthly magazine. 

Congratulations to John Berg, Randy Evans, Andy Hall, Scott Husaby, Tom MacIntosh, Dennis Monroe and Jim Wahl.  Named 2008 "Legal Eagles" by their colleagues and peers in the franchise community, they are recognized in the April 2008 issue of Franchise Times magazine.

Krass Monroe is proud to recognize attorneys Rod Krass and John "Jack" Harper as two of the top 40 lawyers in Minnesota in Employment Law and Business Litigation.  The list is based on the Minnesota Law & Politics Super Lawyer® survey results.  Rod Krass was named one of the Top 40 attorneys in Employment Law in Minnesota and John "Jack" Harper was named one of the Top 40 attorneys in Business Litigation in Minnesota.  Both attorneys are shareholders in the firm Litigation practice group.

Congratulations to Scott Husaby.  A firm shareholder and member of the firm Wealth Preservation practice group, Scott has been named a FIVE STAR: Best in Client Satisfaction Wealth Manager for 2008 by MplsSt.Paul and Twin Cities Business Monthly magazines.  More than 46,000 consumers and 5,000 financial service professionals were asked to evaluate wealth managers in the Twin Cities area and Scott was named to the final list.

Congratulations to John Berg, Jim Casserly, John "Jack" Harper III, Rod Krass, Tom MacIntosh and Dennis Monroe who have been selected as Minnesota Super Lawyers for 2007.   John "Jack" Harper was named as one of the Top 40 Business Litigation Attorneys and Rod Krass was named as one of the Top 40 Employment Litigation Attorneys.  MSP communications has recognized our attorneys and published the Super Lawyers listing in three publications:  Twin Cities Business Monthly, Minnesota Law & Politics and Mpls/St. Paul.  This honor is a reflection of the firm's commitment to excellence and client service.

Super Lawyer ballots are sent to more than 18,000 people and 11,000 ballots were counted.  A 150-member blue ribbon panel reviews the list and then a selection committee makes the final cuts. 

Congratulations to Tom MacIntosh who was selected by his peers for inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America® 2007 (Copyright 2007 by Woodward/White, Inc., of Aiken, S.C.) and featured in the June 2007 issue of Minnesota Monthly magazine.  Since its inception in 1983, Best Lawyers has become universally regarded as the definitive guide to legal excellence in the United States.