By Patrick Rehkamp Reporter, Minneapolis / St. Paul Business Journal
One of Minnesota’s most well-known boutique commercial litigation firms has a new CEO — and more names in its title.
Anthony Ostlund Baer & Louwagie named Janel Dressen its new CEO and Arthur Boylan as a partner, effective this week. The firm’s name is now Anthony Ostlund Louwagie Dressen & Boylan. Dressen is the firm’s first women CEO in its almost 40-year history.
Dressen takes over for Joe Anthony, also a founder of the firm and well-known attorney who’s been involved in some of the biggest legal issues in the Twin Cities. Recently, Anthony represented former City Council member Don Samuels and others who argued that the Minneapolis Police ballot language was too vague — an effort that failed before the Minnesota Supreme Court.
Anthony will stay with the firm, according to Dressen. She added the firm direction will stay the same.
“The plan is to continue the success of the firm,” Dressen said. “Everyone here is a trial lawyer… Our success is defined by the kind of cases we bring in.”
The firm has been involved with some of the largest business litigation issues in the Twin Cities including:
- The fight over ownership of SkyWater Technology Foundry Inc.
- The fight over the future of Bremer Financial Corp.
- An expensive housing project in Orono on Lake Minnetonka involving the CEO of Perforce Software Inc.
“Janel has demonstrated the skills necessary to excel in a highly competitive litigation environment,” says founding partner, Joe Anthony, of the selection. “She also possesses leadership talent that will make her a compelling force in business litigation for years to come.”
The firm has about 30 total employees including 20 attorneys, according to Dressen.
