Best & Flanagan is pleased to announce two partners and three associates as outstanding additions to our expanding intellectual property, corporate and litigation practices.
Martha J. Engel counsels clients on all matters related to intellectual property, including clearing trademarks, drafting and prosecuting patent applications, obtaining and enforcing trademark rights, and conducting due diligence reviews regarding intellectual property in corporate transactions such as M&A. She was recognized as an Up & Coming Attorney (2018) by Minnesota Lawyer. Martha joins us from a global medical device company, where she served as general counsel with extensive experience in employment issues, data privacy, contract review, M&A, and other corporate activities.
Joshua A. Bobich advises owner-managed businesses, both closely held and family-owned, on mergers, acquisitions, corporate governance, succession planning, shareholder buyouts and a variety of other matters. He grew up in a family business and understands, first hand, the unique challenges that face multi-generational organizations. Josh is a passionate golfer and an active board member with First Tee-Minnesota, an organization dedicated to improving the lives of young people by promoting character development and other life-enhancing values through the game of golf. He joins us from Ballard Spahr.
Michael A. Stephani represents a wide array of clients facing various types of creditor-side bankruptcy issues including adversary litigation, reliefs from stay, preference litigation, challenges to discharge, and claim objections. He has assisted creditors in obtaining payment through chapter 11 restructuring plans, and has recovered millions of dollars for his clients through collection actions. As a former business owner, Michael understands the importance of the bottom line, and uses his creativity and pragmatism in his approach to each client’s needs. He joins us from Dykema Gossett PLLC.
John J. Hilt joins Best & Flanagan as a Business & Corporate Law Associate. Prior to beginning his legal career, Jake worked as an accountant for several years and served as a noncommissioned officer in the U.S. Army. Jake uses his accounting background to assist clients in a variety of transactional and governance matters.
Kristin T. Trapp supports our Employment Litigation and Family Law practice groups as an Associate. She leverages her business background in understanding clients’ evolving legal needs. Kristin also provides pro bono legal services with the Advocates for Human Rights, representing clients in immigration and asylum matters.
"These are exciting times at Best & Flanagan! Over the last two years, we have steadily added great talent to our team, building on our rich tradition as first-rate attorneys representing the best clients in Minnesota,” said Sarah Crippen, the firm’s Managing Partner. “Martha, Josh, Michael, Kristin and Jake bring a wide variety of skills and experience to our firm, from seasoned intellectual property, corporate and litigation and creditors’ remedies counsel, to new attorneys with rich pre-law backgrounds. We couldn’t be happier to welcome these wonderful attorneys to our team."