Minnesota Lawyer Blog

They say there's no such thing as bad publicity, but one would think that the local law firm of Lindquist & Vennum has not been enjoying its 15 minutes of fame on the always entertaining Above the Law blog.

A posting today, along with a follow up that links back to the original (click here), tells the tale of two female summer associates terminated from Lindquist after a night that allegedly included over imbibing and kissing each other at an after-hours event at "a local watering hole" following an official firm function. (A case of Minnesota nice run amok, perhaps?) Among the "facts" reported by the blog are the women are not lesbians (and at least one has a boyfriend), both women are "quite attractive'' (although I'm not sure of the relevance of that ...) and the extent of the kiss is currently unclear (i.e. whether they "made out" or merely kissed on the lips).

Without more information, it's difficult to know what to make of this. We'll see if the firm has anything it wants to add to what has been reported (and, if so, pass it on to you). I don't want to make too light of the whole thing, as it is obviously no laughing matter to the two law students involved (and please, please, please refrain from posting anything that contains any identifying information). In any event, try as I may, I can't get the refrain from "As time goes by" out of my head -- You must remember this: A kiss is just a kiss.

Ten partners and three associates at Lindquist and Venum have left to join forces with the Portland, Oregon-based firm of Stoel Rives, opening the firm's first Minnesota office. The lawyers practice in the areas of agribusiness and renewable energy projects including ethanol, biodiesel, biomass and wind energy facilities.

The partners are Mark Hanson, Ron McFall, Kevin Prohaska, Joe Thompson, David Quinby, Jonathan Miesen, Kevin Johnson, Eric Bartsch, Joel Dahlgren and Marc Al.

According to its Website, Lindquist had about 185 lawyers before these departures.

According to Lindquist's managing partner, Daryle Uphoff, the news wasn't a surprise but the timing was. Uphoff told Minnesota Lawyer the departure occurred around midnight last Thursday night.

The other areas of Lindquist's practice, including securities, tax, real estate and regulatory issues, "remain firm," Uphoff said. He also noted that the head of the firm's energy practice, Todd Guerrero, was still with the firm, along with some of the agribusiness lawyers.

"This is not a crippling blow by any means," Uphoff said. The firm will rebuild these practice areas "as opportunities present."

I've heard that Stoel Rives has been recruiting at at least one of the local law schools, which may indicate plans to grow in the future. No word as yet from Hanson, listed in the Stoel Rives press release as "a leader in the Minneapolis office."