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Attorneys
Mike comes to Larkin Hoffman with an entrepreneurial spirit having run his own business before attending law school and a science background. After law school, he spent two and half years clerking for the Honorable Robert Schumacher on the Minnesota Court of Appeals. He is also an active member of the ABA’s Section of Environment, Energy and Resources. Mike applies his breadth of experience to assist clients in understanding business opportunities in the environmental and energy fields including how to take full advantage of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. He also advises clients on a broad range of environmental compliance and permitting issues as well as intellectual property matters. Mike is just as comfortable in the Court room where he focuses his practice in representing clients in complex eminent domain, real estate and land use cases. He has represented clients in the two most recent eminent domain cases to come before the Minnesota Supreme Court as well as appearing before the Minnesota Court of Appeals, district courts, and court-appointed commissioners. Although he focuses on eminent domain matters, Mike has demonstrated a knack for a broad range of disputes whether in a court room or before an administrative body. Bar Admissions Minnesota, 2006 California, 2005 Arizona, 2002 U.S. District Court, Central District of California U.S. District Court, District of Minnesota Professional Associations & Memberships Minnesota Environmental Initiative United States Green Building Council - Mississippi Headwaters Chapter USGBC Emerging Green Builders Minnesota Chamber of Commerce Environmental and Natural Resources Committee Minnesota Department of Health, Criteria Task Group for the Evaluation of Potential Contaminants of Concern Education University of Minnesota Law School, Minneapolis, MN, J.D. 2002, cum laude University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, B.A. 1996 Certifications LEED® AP Honors Bar Associations American Bar Association Environmental, Energy and Resources Section State and Local Government Section Minnesota State Bar Association Environmental Section Hennepin County Bar Association Environmental Law Section State Bar of Arizona Real Property Section State Bar of California Real Property Law Section
Service Areas
Litigation Real Estate, Land Use and Resources |
Real Estate, Land Use and Resources Experience
Injunction Prevents Builder from Cancelling Purchase Agreement
When a builder needed to obtain an injunction to prevent a developer from cancelling the builder’s multi-million dollar purchase agreement, the builder contacted Larkin Hoffman.
Residential Real Estate Fraud
A home owner seeking a fraud action against the seller of the home turns to Larkin Hoffman.
Airport Redevelopment Agreement Enforcement
A fixed based operation on the Anoka County Blaine Airport turns to Larkin Hoffman for representation in seeking to enforce an agreement with the Metropolitan Airports Commission to redevelop a portion of the airport.
Meeting Minnesota's Energy Demands Through Mandated Conservation Improvements
For nearly three decades, energy conservation has been a centerpiece of Minnesota's energy policy in the form of the Conservation Improvement Program ("CIP"). Larkin Hoffman attorney Michael Mergens explains the CIP and how it can be improved in the May Issue of the Minnesota Real Estate Journal. To read the full article, click here.
The Legal and Business Case for LEED Certification in the Post-Recession World
Julie Perrus, LEED® AP BD+C and Mike Mergens, LEED® AP co-authored an article published in Business Law Today, an online resource for the ABA Business Law Section. Entitled, "The Legal and Business Case for LEED Certification in the Post-Recession World," the article offers guidance to property owners, contractors, business tenants, and consumers as to what it means to own, build, or occupy a LEED® certified building or home in the post-recessionary economy. Read article.
Property Owners’ Condemnation Bill of Rights
As a Minnesota property owner, you have certain constitutional and statutory rights when a local, county, or state government proposes to take your private property for a public purpose. Here is a list that we call our “property owners’ bill of rights” to inform and remind you of these rights.
Teaching an Old Dog New Tricks about "Green"
Larkin Hoffman attorneys discuss sustainability issues facing businesses/landowners and the outlook for the future of green building in the Minnesota Real Estate Journal.
Energy Policy and Climate Change Regulation: A Year in Review
Mike Mergens discusses greenhouse-gas pollution, clean-energy reform and other issues that have affected the real estate industry in 2009, along with an overview of imminent 2010 regulations.
Not Just Hot Air
Mike Mergens analyzes how abandoning climate change legislation is "bad for business."
Analyzing the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA)
In a Minnesota Business feature story Mike Mergens analyzes the American Clean Energy and Securities Act recently introduced to the U.S. House and the likelihood of a more beneficial impact on the vertical construction industry compared to the federal stimulus package (ARRA).
Mergens Helps Client Acquire "Home Without a View -- Of Road Work"
Mike Mergens assisted a client in negotiations with MnDot to acquire her home that was located under new bridge construction and also in the acquisitions of a new home nearby.
ARRA Stimulus Package Offers Narrow Industry Focus for Minnesota
Mike Mergens and Julie Perrus discuss the limited focus for stimulus package dollars for the vertical construction and development industries, and how the American Clean Energy and Security Act of 2009 currently being debated in the U.S. House could increase money available.
Mergens on the Effects of Patchwork Climate Change Regulation
Michael J. Mergens comments on the effects of patchwork climate change policy on the Minnesota Chamber of Commerce blog entitled Inside Energy.
Challenging Land-Use Decisions: Avoiding the Jurisdictional Minefield
Tamara O'Neill Moreland and Michael Mergens co-authored an article that was published in the March issue of Hennepin Lawyer entitled "Challenging Land-Use Decisions: Avoiding the Jurisdictional Minefield."
Boe, Mergens and O'Neill Moreland Named 2011 Rising Stars
Larkin Hoffman is proud to announce that attorneys Ryan Boe, Mike Mergens and Tamara O'Neill Moreland have been named to the 2011 Rising Stars® list by Super Lawyers magazine.
Should You Appeal Your Property Tax Assessment?
Commonly asked questions and answers in deciding if your property as been accurately assessed and what options can be pursued if you feel your property tax is too high.
2010 Minnesota Law & Politics Rising Stars
Eight Larkin Hoffman attorneys selected for the 2010 Minnesota Law & Politics Rising Stars® list.
Mergens Serves as Program Vice Chair and Panel Moderator for ABA Conference: State and EPA Perspectives for Region Five
Mike Mergens moderated a discussion on RCRA and solid waste current issues at the ABA Section of Environment, Energy, and Resources Conference -- "State and EPA Perspectives on Environmental Issues in Region Five."
Three Attorneys Earn LEED AP Certification
Joey Vossen, Julie Perrus, and Mike Mergens achieve LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) accreditation, making Larkin Hoffman the law firm with the most LEED accredited attorneys in Minnesota.
Attorneys Published in Inside Energy Blog
Mike Mergens and Julie Nargorski discuss the United States Supreme Court decision that strikes down the government’s attempt to broaden CERCLA liability.
Mergens Writes Guest Column for The Inspired Economist
Michael Mergens is a new guest columnist for the Inspired Economist, a blog that highlights the individuals and companies applying passion and innovation to economic, social, and environmental challenges.
Mergens Selected as Representative for ABA Section Conference
Mike Mergens has been selected as the Minnesota representative on the planning committee for the ABA Environmental, Energy and Resources Section Regional Conference entitled, "State and EPA Perspectives on Environmental Issues in Region 5."
Vossen and Mergens Speak on the Future of Environmental Law
Joey Vossen and Mike Mergens guest lecture at the University of St. Thomas School of Law on the future of environmental law.
Mergens Guest Lectures at the Humphrey Institute
Mike Mergens was selected as a guest lecturer for the Urban Land Use Planning class at the University of Minnesota's Humphrey Institute of Public Affairs.
Larkin Hoffman Covers Eminent Domain Legislation in MN
Larkin Hoffman attorneys and Rick Collins, Vice President of Development at Ryan Companies, discussed the new eminent domain legislation in Minnesota.
Larkin Hoffman Attorneys Discuss Eminent Domain with Realtors
Larkin Hoffman Land Use and Real Estate Litigation attorneys presented "Eminent Domain in Minnesota" to the Southern Twin Cities Association of Realtors.
Eminent Domain 2011: Essential Updates and Issues
Michael Mergens and Gary Van Cleve will present at the Hennepin County Bar Association's Eminent Domain Seminar Friday, May 6 from 8:00 - 4:00 P.M. To learn more about this event and to register, see attached flyer or click here.
Larkin Hoffman Attorneys Present at HCBA CLE Seminar
Linda Fisher, Peder Larson and Mike Mergens presented "The Shifting State of Greenhouse Gas Controls and Legal Liabilities: Walking the Tightrope with Your Business Clients" at a Continuing Legal Education seminar sponsored by the Hennepin County Bar Association.
Larkin Hoffman Attorneys Discuss Impact of Federal Stimulus Package on Green Development and Sustainability
Julie Perrus, Mike Mergens and Joey Vossen will discuss the federal stimulus package and its impact on green development and sustainability as part of an Emerging Green Builders seminar series.
Larkin Hoffman Real Estate Attorneys Present at MREE Event
Gary Van Cleve, Rob Stefonowicz and Mike Mergens discuss property tax and special assessment appeals at the Minnesota Real Estate Exchangors (MREE) networking event.
Real Estate Litigation Seminar Series
Larkin Hoffman presents a seminar series for property owners, business owners and real estate professionals on issues in real estate litigation.
Eminent Domain Legislation in Minnesota
Join Larkin Hoffman attorneys and Rick Collins, Vice President of Development at Ryan Companies, as they discuss the new eminent domain legislation in Minnesota. This seminar will review the new law and the impact it will have on real estate development, small businesses, land owners and city and state officials in Minnesota.
