We are proud to share that Larkin Hoffman enthusiastically sponsors The Open Door, a hunger relief organization dedicated to ending local hunger through access to healthy food. Every month, The Open Door aids over 14,000 Dakota County residents and delivers more than 2 million pounds of food yearly, of which 70% is fresh and/or perishable. Clients benefit from a diverse range of options, including the main food pantry in Eagan, several Mobile Pantry locations, the Mobile Lunch Box, and the innovative Garden To Table initiative.

Hunger is a persistent challenge in our society. The Open Door pantry has been at the forefront, tirelessly providing for those in need.  Members of Larkin Hoffman were honored to participation in the 5K fundraiser to spread awareness help arise essential funds to bolster their incredible efforts.

Larkin Hoffman is honored to celebrate four members of our team who completed the The Minnesota Equity Challenge and received a Minnesota Racial Equity Challenge Certification.  Attorneys Christopher Yetka and Gregory Otsuka as well as staff members Risa Patrias and Kayla Pietsch took part in the challenge. 

The nonprofit Twin Cities Diversity in Practice (TCDIP) created the The Minnesota Equity Challenge to strengthen and enhance understandings of racial equity issues.  According to TCDIP, participants in the challenge gain a better understanding of:

• how systems of oppression negatively affect the lives of Black, Indigenous, and People of Color in this state, especially in regard to housing, employment, education, health care, and public safety; and
• concrete actions we can take to be allies to each other in order to mitigate the negative effects of racism in this state.

The course of six-month course brought participants together to explore and discuss readings, podcasts, and other materials. After completing the course, participants were recognized with a Minnesota Racial Equity Challenge Certification.

TCDIP is a "nonprofit association of more than 70 law firms and corporate legal departments who share a vision to create a vibrant and inclusive legal community and a mission to strengthen the efforts of Member Organizations to attract, recruit, advance, and retain attorneys of color."

On August 14, the City of Bloomington held its first annual Pride event on the east lawn of the Civic Plaza with entertainment, food, arts, crafts and games. Larkin Hoffman was proud to participate in the well-attended event with an information booth.  Nic Puechner engaged with attendees including state representatives, firm friends, clients and the Mayor Tim Busse. We look forward to participating in the years to come!

Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. once said, “Life’s most persistent and urgent question is: ‘What are you doing for others?’” The King Center recommends that private organizations and businesses honor Dr. King by encouraging employees to undertake community service work to address social needs on the Martin Luther King, Jr. holiday.  

On January 18, 2021, Larkin Hoffman will proudly honor the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. by giving employees a day off to allow them time to reflect and participate in service.  Traditionally, Larkin Hoffman has partnered with a local nonprofit for a "Day of Service" on this day. Due to COVID restrictions this year, we are encouraging our employees to use the day to help out on an individual level in our community. 

For the past four years, Scott County entrepreneurs have participated in an annual FAST-TRACK Business Challenge where they compete to win start-up cash and professional business services designed to fast-track start-up and first-stage businesses. Throughout the FAST-TRACK competition process, contestants are given an opportunity to fine-tune their business plans, prepare a pitch and connect with industry leaders.

This year, Joe Fittante, Chair of Larkin Hoffman’s Corporate Practice Group, participated as a member of the judging panel and has volunteered his services to assist the winners as they launch their products and services.

On October 22, 2020 five contestants presented their ideas to a panel of judges and three winners were selected.  “The contestants did a great job and the presentations were all very interesting. The passion of the presenters for their brands was evident in each presentation.” said Joe Fittante, “The three winning proposals really stood out, I’m excited to see where they take their businesses.”

Congratulations to the Scott County 2020 FAST-TRACK Challenge winners: 1st Place-Jake De St. Hubert of Euroworx Automotive Specialist LLC. (New Prague), 2nd Place-Chathu Hettiarachichi of Fitness Boomers (Shakopee) and 3rd Place-Thomas Kosgei of IntelligentRx (Shakopee).

Larkin Hoffman is pleased to announce that Melissa Bayne has been honored as the firm’s recipient of the annual Bob Hoffman Community Service Award. The annual award is presented to an employee who most exemplifies the spirit of service to the community that was established as a guiding principle for the firm by our late founder Bob Hoffman. Bob built his reputation not only as a great real estate and land use attorney but also as a giant in community service. Throughout his long career, Bob helped establish and oversee many important nonprofit organizations.

Melissa has distinguished herself through a long history of community involvement, particularly serving individuals with special needs. She serves on the board of directors of both River Valley Riders, a therapeutic horseback riding and carriage driving program and Living Well Disability Services which provide services to people impacted by intellectual, developmental and physical disabilities.

“Melissa has a unique capacity to listen well, ask astute and insightful questions, and then synthesize what she has heard into meaningful guidance,” said Julie Manworren, former Living Well Disability Services CEO. “Melissa maintains a clear focus on quality improvement and has made a substantive difference in our ability to demonstrate the impact of our work with the broader community while helping build the skills of staff during the process.”

Larkin Hoffman President, Paul Smith, who has worked with Melissa for many years said, “Melissa’s caring support and guidance of individuals living with disabilities and their families is a great example of the spirit the Bob Hoffman Community Service Award symbolizes,” noting “I’m grateful for the many hours Melissa has dedicated to this community and am pleased to honor her generous donation of time and effort with the Bob Hoffman Award.”

Over the past six years the Bob Hoffman Community Service Award has been issued to two administrative employees and four attorneys within the firm. Along with client ‎service, “giving back to the community” is one of the principles Bob Hoffman and Jim Larkin ‎used in founding Larkin Hoffman.