Spencer Fane LLP is pleased to announce James (Jim) Lodoen has joined the firm as a partner in the firm’s Bankruptcy, Restructuring, and Creditors’ Rights practice group, strengthening the team’s presence in the Minneapolis and Upper-Midwest market.
“Spencer Fane has placed an emphasis on growing its footprint to align with the increasing needs of its clients which has led the firm to establish a unique strength in the financial services sector,” said Don Heeman, Minneapolis office managing partner. “Jim brings a level of experience that not only complements but also enhances our ability to advise clients on new matters relating to bankruptcy and navigating financial distress.”
“We look forward to drawing on Jim’s knowledge and experience to provide clients with the counsel they require when handling their most important financial and legal issues, particularly in areas relating to insolvency and maintaining their successful business operations.”
A Fellow of the American College of Bankruptcy, Lodoen has decades of experience representing lenders, debtors, committees and buyers of assets in bankruptcy cases and workouts. He has been involved in many high-profile insolvency matters, including representing the Chapter 11 Trustee and the Receiver in the legal fallout related to discovery of a $3.8 billion Ponzi scheme, and the representation of a name brand company in its Chapter 11 proceeding and 363 sale. The Ponzi scheme representation involved unwinding of the scheme, the pursuit of billions of dollars in clawback actions, the liquidation of assets and the administration of the Chapter 11 bankruptcy, including the negotiation of a Coordination Agreement with several trustees, a receiver and the U.S. Attorney’s Office to avoid forfeiture litigation.
In his practice, Lodoen has also advised borrowers, receivers, lenders and trade creditors with a focus on the real estate, manufacturing, health care, biotechnology, life sciences, retail, agribusiness, farm and agriculture industries. His farm and ranch background, including an undergraduate degree in agricultural economics and animal science, provides a practical understanding of issues pertinent to the current challenges facing production agriculture. He completed those studies at North Dakota State before obtaining his Juris Doctor from the University of North Dakota School of Law.
Lodoen’s work has earned him Transaction of the Year honors twice and Turnaround of the Year once from the Upper Midwest Turnaround Management Association, and he was named The Lawyer of the Year for Litigation – Bankruptcy in Minneapolis by The Best Lawyers in America for 2014, 2018 and 2020. His is active in numerous industry organizations, including the American Bankruptcy Institute where he serves on its Central States Conference Advisory Board. He is also a frequent lecturer and author on various bankruptcy, debtor-creditor, and agriculture issues.
