William Paterson credits his competitive drive and business background for his ability to keep his clients’ needs at the forefront in complex disputes. He works hard to understand his clients’ business and legal goals first so he can keep them top of mind as they work together to formulate a plan that best meets the clients’ business and legal objectives. Executing on that plan is William’s passion. Success is the reward.
William R. Paterson
Attorney

RESULTS
CREDENTIALS
RECOGNITION
PUBLICATIONS
SPEAKING
Clintsman et al. v. Gervais et al. (2021): LLC member oppression and Breach of Fiduciary Duty
Will represented two siblings in a family–owned business with a total of seven sibling members. The siblings collectively owned six LLCs, which in turn owned over 100 pieces of real estate in various states. The case was largely litigated during the COVID-19 pandemic, with numerous depositions and motion hearings. The court granted summary judgment in favor of our clients on their oppression and breach of fiduciary duty claims and granted their motion for a fair value buyout. No trial was necessary. It is believed that this is the first decision in which a court has granted a fair value buyout award, on motion, to a member of an LLC under Minnesota’s Revised Limited Liability Company Act, Minnesota Statutes Chapter 322C.
Holmes et al. v. O’Connor and Taco John’s International et al. (2021): Shareholder Oppression and Breach of Fiduciary Duty
Will represented three owners in the family–owned Taco John’s business, which is the largest privately–owned company in the state of Wyoming. The Anthony Ostlund team commenced an action in Wyoming state court against the companies and certain other shareholders and directors for shareholder oppression and breach of fiduciary duty. After extensive litigation, a resolution was negotiated that resulted in a buyout and business divorce of our clients from the Taco John’s enterprise.
Shareholder Oppression/Breach of Fiduciary Duty/Uniform Voidable Transactions Act
Will was retained by two minority owners in the middle of a dispute over a business transaction gone wrong. At the time, the other side was demanding over $1 million from Will’s clients. Through his in-depth knowledge of the law and strategic thinking, however, Will was able to turn the tables in his clients’ favor almost immediately. After strategic and aggressive litigation maneuvers, Will’s clients controlled the litigation. Will successfully had all of the claims against his clients dismissed, and he received permission from the Court to seek punitive damages against the wrongdoers. Once Will had repositioned the case in his clients’ favor and after the opposing parties changed counsel—multiple times—to try to match Will’s litigation skills, the other side came to Will seeking to settle. In the end, Will was able to obtain a favorable settlement for his clients.
Education
J.D., magna cum laude, Order of the Coif, University of Minnesota Law School
B.A., summa cum laude, University of St. Thomas
Professional Affiliations
Member, Minnesota State Bar Association
Member, Hennepin County Bar Association
Publications
- Square Peg (Blockchain) – Round Holes (MN Law): Tokenholder Rights and Obligations in an Ownership Dispute Minnesota Lawyer and Finance & Commerce Partner Content, August 2023
- In re Polaris, Inc. - Predominantly Clear or Unclear? Minnesota Lawyer and Finance & Commerce Partner Content, January 2022
- Remembering Justice Ginsburg's Impact on Business, Minnesota Lawyer and Finance & Commerce Partner Content, October 2020
- COVID-19, Commercial Leases, and Force Majeure, Minnesota Lawyer and Finance & Commerce Partner Content, July 2020
- Do Not Be the Last to Know: Key Developments During the Pandemic, Ownership Disputes in Closely-Held Businesses: Preventing, Managing, and Resolving, Minnesota CLE, March 6, 2023. Co-presenter, with Janel Dressen
- Attorney Client Privilege in Minnesota Post-In Re Polaris, Minnesota State Bar Association, June 2022
William R. Paterson
Attorney
RESULTS
CREDENTIALS
RECOGNITION
PUBLICATIONS
SPEAKING
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Minnesota Lawyer and Finance & Commerce – Partner Content Author: William Paterson Ownership disputes in privately held companies are nothing new in Minnesota. From disputes between shareholders in
AO Shareholder and CEO, Janel Dressen, is co-chair and moderator of Minnesota CLE’s full-day seminar, Ownership Disputes in Closely-Held Businesses: Preventing, Managing, and Resolving.
When: Monday, June 27, 2022 12:00 PM to 1:00 PM Venue: Zoom/Live Webinar Registration Link: https://www.mnbar.org/members/cle-events/event/login?EventID=5385 The Minnesota Supreme Court recently issued
Minnesota Lawyer and Finance & Commerce – Partner Content Author: William Paterson There is officially now another wrinkle to the attorney-client privilege doctrine under Minnesota law.
No one likes to learn that a person you thought you could trust is stabbing you in the back, but when that person is
No one likes to learn that a person you thought you could trust is stabbing you in the back, but when that person is also a co-owner of your family-owned business, litigation is often a consequence. This is what happened to a group of family-owned business owners who own significant commercial and residential real estate holdings in Minnesota, Wisconsin and North Dakota.
October 26, 2020 Minnesota Lawyer and Finance & Commerce – Partner Content Author: William R. Paterson Undoubtedly, and rightfully so, the late Justice Ruth
Education
J.D., magna cum laude, Order of the Coif, University of Minnesota Law School
B.A., summa cum laude, University of St. Thomas
Professional Affiliations
Member, Minnesota State Bar Association
Member, Hennepin County Bar Association
Publications
- Square Peg (Blockchain) – Round Holes (MN Law): Tokenholder Rights and Obligations in an Ownership Dispute Minnesota Lawyer and Finance & Commerce Partner Content, August 2023
- In re Polaris, Inc. - Predominantly Clear or Unclear? Minnesota Lawyer and Finance & Commerce Partner Content, January 2022
- Remembering Justice Ginsburg's Impact on Business, Minnesota Lawyer and Finance & Commerce Partner Content, October 2020
- COVID-19, Commercial Leases, and Force Majeure, Minnesota Lawyer and Finance & Commerce Partner Content, July 2020
- Do Not Be the Last to Know: Key Developments During the Pandemic, Ownership Disputes in Closely-Held Businesses: Preventing, Managing, and Resolving, Minnesota CLE, March 6, 2023. Co-presenter, with Janel Dressen
- Attorney Client Privilege in Minnesota Post-In Re Polaris, Minnesota State Bar Association, June 2022