What's New At Larkin Hoffman

  • Chambers USA Ranks Seven Larkin Hoffman Attorneys and Three Practice Areas Highly in 2023 Guide

    Larkin Hoffman has once again been recognized as a leading franchise, real estate, and construction firm in the 2023 edition of Chambers USA: America’s Leading Lawyers for Business, an annual guide identifying the top attorneys and firms in the United States. The publication also recognized eight of the firm’s attorneys as leaders in their fields. 

  • Earned Sick and Safe Time is the Law Throughout Minnesota

    Although several cities already have enacted sick and safe time ordinances, the Minnesota legislature has made earned sick and safe time (ESST) a state requirement. The statute becomes effective on January 1, 2024.

  • Legalized Recreational Marijuana Use Has Arrived in Minnesota

    The Minnesota legislature has passed a bill permitting recreational marijuana use by adults, making Minnesota the 23rd state to legalize cannabis. Governor Walz is expected to sign the bill, which establishes a complex regulatory framework for the newly legalized product. Among many other statutes, the new law contains a number of provisions that will affect employers doing business in Minnesota.

  • The Death of Noncompetition Agreements in Employment within Minnesota

    The Minnesota legislature has enacted a statute rendering noncompetition agreements in the employment context unenforceable, provided they are entered into after the effective date.  Governor Walz is expected to sign the bill.  The legislation applies to all future covenants not to compete and will take effect on July 1, 2023.  Consequently, this new statute does not apply to noncompetition agreements entered into prior to July 1, 2023.

  • Airport Concession Fees Are Not Rent in Property Taxation

    In a groundbreaking ruling, the Minnesota Supreme Court affirmed a tax court decision requiring tax assessors to exclude the airport’s concession fees from rent-based valuations for property tax purposes. The case offers a flight plan to lower taxes at many of the nation’s transportation hubs and underscores the importance for all taxpayers to exclude business value from taxable property value.

  • Congratulations to Abdirahman Kahin, National Small Business Person of the Year for 2023!

    Larkin Hoffman is pleased to congratulate our client,  Abdirahman Kahin, CEO and owner of Afro Deli & Grill on being named the National Small Business Person of the Year for 2023. 

  • Congratulations to Joe Ryan on his Lifetime Achievement Award!

    “Congratulations to our longtime client, Joe Ryan, for being recognized by RE Journals with the Lifetime Achievement Award for transforming Oppidan into a national real estate development leader.” Peter J. Coyle, Shareholder.  

  • Larkin Hoffman Secures Victory for Mall of America at United States Supreme Court

    In a unanimous opinion written by Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson, the United States Supreme Court overturned a lower court's decision against our longtime client, MOAC Mall Holdings LLC, owner of Mall of America. The ruling means that the Mall can proceed with its challenge to the assignment of a lease for the space previously occupied by Sears.

  • Tamara O'Neill Moreland Recognized as Power 30 Construction and Real Estate Attorney by Minnesota Lawyer

    Larkin Hoffman is pleased to announce that Tamara O'Neill Moreland has been selected for the 2023 edition of “The POWER 30: Construction and Real Estate,” by Minnesota Lawyer. The list highlights attorneys “whose mere presence on a case signifies the stakes, who have influenced the direction of the law, whose leadership in the community is pervasive and whose respect within the bar is undeniable.”

  • Larkin Hoffman Elects Megan Rogers and Christopher Young as Shareholders

    Larkin Hoffman is pleased to announce that Megan Rogers and  Christopher Young have been elected as shareholders of the firm. "We are thrilled to have Megan and Chris join our shareholder group," said Paul Smith, the president of Larkin Hoffman. "They have both demonstrated excellent legal skills, client service, and commitment to our firm's culture and values. They will be integral to the firm's continued growth and success in the years ahead."

  • Molly Eichten Selected as One of the World's Leading Trademark Professionals for 2023

    Larkin Hoffman is pleased to announce that for the seventh consecutive year, Molly Eichten has been recognized in the 2023 edition of WTR 1000: The World’s Leading Trademark Professionals for her work in trademark property prosecution and strategy. World Trademark Review is a news service dedicated to identifying the world’s leading trademark legal services providers.

  • Larkin Hoffman Attorneys Celebrate Twin Cities Women Leading Real Estate

    On Tuesday, February 28, 2023, Bisnow held its annual Power Women event Twin Cities Women Leading Real Estate: Celebrating the Trailblazers that Paved the Way in CRE.  Larkin Hoffman proudly sponsors this annual event which brings together some of the real estate and construction industry's most powerful and influential women.   

  • Building Affordable Housing: Interview with Johnny Opara, President and CEO of JO Cos

    Megan Rogers recently had the opportunity to talk with developer Johnny Opara, President and CEO of JO Cos., a real estate development company in the Twin Cities that specializes in developing high-quality, affordable multifamily housing. Johnny took an unusual path to starting JO Cos and his career as a developer but as a first-time developer, he was able to get the St. Paul Housing and Redevelopment Authority to unanimously approved bond financing for construction of The Hollows in the Payne-Phalen area of St Paul. Today, the 62-unit workforce housing development is complete with affordable units for low-income renters.

  • In Memory of Dayle Nolan

    On February 4, 2023, we lost our dear friend and colleague, Dayle Nolan. She was a brilliant labor and employment attorney, firm leader and mentor for nearly 40 years.

  • Real Estate and Construction Leaders Discuss the Twin Cities Multifamily Market with Bill Griffith

    On February 1st, the Federal Reserve raised interest rates by another quarter-point. This first rate hike of 2023 follows seven interest rate hikes in 2022.  With the rising interest rates in mind, Bill Griffith sat down with a panel of real estate and construction industry leaders last fall at Bisnow’s Twin Cities Multifamily Market Overview to discuss the effect of rising interest rates on their business.

  • Employer Non-Competes Under Threat by FTC Proposal

    On January 5, 2023, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) issued a proposed rule which, if enacted, would ban most non-compete clauses in employment contracts. The rule would also require employers to rescind existing non-compete clauses with its workers and provide those workers with written notice that the non-competes have been rescinded.

  • Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day of Service 2023

    On January 16, 2023, Larkin Hoffman will honor the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. by giving employees a day off to allow time to reflect and participate in a day of service.  We encourage everyone to not only consider an act of service on this one day each year but to think about what each and every one of us can do throughout the year to build a stronger and more inclusive community.  As Dr. King said, "The time is always right to do what is right."

  • Larkin Hoffman Welcomes Kyle Vick to Its Real Estate Litigation Team

    Larkin Hoffman is pleased to announce that Kyle Vick has joined  Larkin Hoffman’s real estate litigation team.  Kyle has a wide range of experience representing clients in complex litigation matters involving real estate, contract, and shareholder disputes.   Kyle takes great pride in ensuring that his clients’ legal needs are met in an effective and efficient manner.

  • Paul Plunkett Elected Vice Chairman of SCG Legal

    Larkin Hoffman is pleased to announce that Paul Plunkett has been elected to serve as Vice Chairman of SCG Legal in 2023. SCG Legal is an international network of 122 leading independent law firms serving clients in every U.S. state capital, the District of Columbia and more than 62 countries worldwide. Firms in SCG Legal’s network are selected for their outstanding practices, leadership, dedication to client service, commitment to diversity and inclusion, and devotion to transparent and fair billing practices.

  • Susan Tegt Presents at the ABA’s Premier Event on Franchising

    Susan Tegt was recently honored with the opportunity to co-present at the “Annual Developments” plenary session at the American Bar Association’s Forum on Franchising. The Forum on Franchising’s annual meeting is attended by hundreds of attorneys from around the world with the Annual Developments presentation consider the signature event and a highlight of the Forum. The Annual Developments presentation covered the most important legal cases, policies and regulations affecting franchising and distribution over the past year.

  • U.S. News Names Larkin Hoffman "Best Law Firm" for 2023

    Larkin Hoffman has been ranked in the 2023 U.S. News - Best Lawyers® "Best Law Firms" list nationally in two practice areas and regionally in 10 practice areas. Firms included in the 2023 U.S. News - Best Lawyers® "Best Law Firms" list are recognized for professional excellence with persistently impressive ratings from clients and peers.

  • Larkin Hoffman Releases 2022 Minnesota General Election Guide

    This year, Minnesota voters will go to the polls with more decisions to make than any time in the last 20 years. All four executive offices, including the Governor’s office, all 201 seats in the Minnesota Legislature, and all eight of Minnesota’s congressional seats are on the ballot.  

  • Larkin Hoffman Welcomes Heidi Bassett to Litigation Team

    Larkin Hoffman is pleased to announce that Heidi J Bassett has joined our business litigation team.  Heidi is a zealous advocate and trusted advisor to her clients. She has a wealth of experience handling cases involving unfair competition, disputes arising out of closely held businesses, real estate litigation and trusts and estates disputes.  Heidi is adept at balancing her clients' legal needs and objectives with financial realities. She is an experienced trial attorney and has represented clients in more than 200 appeals.

  • Twin Cities State of the Market With Jake Steen

    In our second episode of the Larkin Hoffman Real Estate Podcast series, Jake Steen wraps up a Bisnow panel he recently moderated at Bisnow’s Twin Cities State of the Market event held in Minneapolis in late August. The panel covered the trends, opportunities and forecasted growth of the Twin Cities construction and real estate markets including predictions about where capital investments are going; the effect of rising interest rates on new development projects; the impact of rent control policies, how developers are pushing new projects forward; what a return to the office is looking like; and the future of redevelopment in downtown Minneapolis and St. Paul.  

  • Phyllis Karasov Helps Minnesota Employers Navigate Legalized THC Edibles in Kare11 Interview

    Yesterday, Phyllis Karasov was interviewed by Kare11 news in an effort to help Minnesota employers navigate legalized THC edibles.  In the interview, Phyllis discussed the complexities created by the legalization of THC edibles in Minnesota.  In a recent blog post about the topic, Phyllis points out that the new "THC statute does not discuss protections for employees or applicants who test positive for marijuana because they have consumed a THC product.  An applicant or an employee can now explain a positive result for marijuana as arising from the lawful use of THC products, which creates a conundrum for employers." 

  • Larkin Hoffman Celebrates the Return of its Women’s Networking Event at the New Four Seasons Hotel Minneapolis

    Larkin Hoffman celebrated the return of its women's networking event at the new Minneapolis Four Seasons Hotel. After a two-year break due to Covid-19 concerns, guests once again came together to enjoy an evening of networking under the night sky of downtown Minneapolis.  Guests celebrated the Minnesota Aurora women’s soccer team’s first season with a toast to its president and co-founder, Andrea Yoch.  Guests also enjoyed a brief presentation from Sonja Dusil, senior vice president of commercial development and national sales leader of United Properties who said a few words about the building of the Four Seasons Hotel. 

  • Jake Steen Moderates Bisnow State of the Construction and Real Estate Market Event

    Jake Steen recently moderated a Bisnow panel discussion covering the trends, opportunities and forecasted growth of the Twin Cities construction and real estate markets at Bisnow’s “Twin Cities State of the Market” event held in Minneapolis on August 18, 2022. The panel discussed where capital investment is going, the effect of rising interest rates on new development projects, the impact of rent control policies, how developers are pushing new projects forward, what a return to the office is looking like, and the future of redevelopment in downtown Minneapolis and St. Paul.  

  • 18 Attorneys Recognized as Best Lawyers in America®; Joe Fittante Named "Lawyer of the Year"

    Larkin Hoffman is pleased to announce that the 18 attorneys were selected by their peers as The Best Lawyers in America® and Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch for 2022.  Joseph Fittante was also recognized as the 2023 Best Lawyers® "Lawyer of the Year" for Franchise Law. 

  • Larkin Hoffman Participates in the Second Annual Bloomington Pride Event

    On August 13, 2022, the City of Bloomington held its second annual Bloomington Pride event on the east lawn of the Bloomington Civic Plaza with entertainment, food, arts, crafts and games. Larkin Hoffman was proud to be included as a community sponsor of the event and to support the LGBTQ+ community.  A number of our attorneys and staff attended the event and engaged with attendees including firm friends, clients and Bloomington Mayor, Tim Busse. We look forward to continuing our support in the years to come.

  • Building the RBC Gateway: Interview with Bill Katter, President of United Properties Development

    I recently had the opportunity to sit down with Bill Katter, President of United Properties Development, in the firm’s new offices located in the RBC Gateway, a building he developed. The 37-story tower sits on a key block linking the downtown Minneapolis core with the bustling North Loop neighborhood and providing tenants with commanding views of the Mississippi River, just a few blocks away.

  • Larkin Hoffman Launches New Real Estate Podcast

    Interested in hearing from real estate and construction industry leaders in the Minnesota market? Looking for insight and commentary on the state of local real estate projects and planning? Larkin Hoffman is pleased to announce a new Larkin Hoffman Real Estate Podcast series where we will share insights and commentary from industry leaders in our region.

  • Joe Fittante Appointed to NASAA Advisory Committee

    Larkin Hoffman is pleased to congratulate Joe Fittante on his appointment to the Advisory Committee to the North American Securities Administrators Association (NASAA) Franchise and Business Opportunities Project Group (the “Advisory Committee”).  The twelve-member Advisory Committee works with state and federal regulators on franchise law issues and assists in the training of state franchise examiners.

Highlights
COVID-19 Resource Center

Larkin Hoffman attorneys in franchising, construction and real estate were again ranked highly by Chambers USA.

Larkin Hoffman has been named a ‘Best Law Firm’ by U.S. News for 2023.