Since 1984, Dave’s practice has focused on private finance and commercial law, mergers and acquisitions, general corporate law, and international business transactions.
Dave represents both institutional lenders and corporate borrowers in debt financings, both secured and unsecured, including short-term bridge loans, revolving credit arrangements, and private placements of senior and subordinated term notes and warrants. His representation of financial institutions has included portfolio purchases and securitizations. He has also represented lenders in project financings, as well as lenders in the franchise finance arena. Dave also has extensive experience representing both buyers and sellers in mergers, stock and asset acquisitions, and divestitures, mostly involving privately-held companies. Combining this expertise, Dave has at various times represented buyers, sellers, senior lenders, subordinated lenders, and management in leveraged acquisition transactions.
In recent years, Dave has served as primary finance counsel to a publicly-traded entertainment company involved in casino finance, development, and management. In this role, he has worked on commercial loan and high yield bond transactions that have raised over one billion dollars in capital over an 18-month period.
Dave also represents businesses of varying sizes in diverse industries in negotiating a wide range of contracts, including joint venture arrangements, technology license agreements, distribution arrangements, supply and manufacturing agreements, swap agreements, and similar commercial arrangements, both domestic and international. He also advises businesses with respect to general corporate governance matters, shareholder buy-sell arrangements, employment and consulting agreements, and similar matters.
Dave has practiced law in Minneapolis since 1984. He and his wife, Christie, live in Hopkins with their three children.
Publications
- "Negotiating and Drafting Acquisition Agreements in Minnesota," 1999, 2000, 2003
- "Multiple Borrowers and Multiple Lenders," 2002
- "International Product Distribution," 2001
- "Annotated Buy Sell and Share Purchase Agreement," 1997-1999
- "Drafting Issues in Mergers and Acquisitions," 1997
Presentations
- "Financial Issues Affecting our Cities," co-presenter, Minnesota Association of City Attorneys' Annual Conference, February 6, 2009
Education
- Oxford University in England, B.C.L. (Bachelor of Civil Law), with honours, 1984
- Stanford University, J.D., 1982
Stanford Law Review, associate managing editor - Carleton College, B.A., summa cum laude, 1979
Phi Beta Kappa
Bar Admissions
Professional Activities
- The Law Society of England and Wales
- Minnesota State Bar Association
- Hennepin County Bar Association
- Law clerk for the Hon. Proctor Hug, Jr.
U.S. Court of Appeals, Ninth Circuit, 1982-1983
Honors and Distinctions
- Awarded an “AV” Peer Review Rating (the highest possible rating) from Martindale-Hubbell
Community Involvement
- Plymouth Congregational Church, Minneapolis, Board of Deacons, past member; Board of Trustees, member and secretary
- The Whole Learning School, St. Louis Park, Board of Directors, past member, past secretary