Please ensure Javascript is enabled for purposes of website accessibility

Barnes & Thornburg LLP

Paul Nolan//September 26, 2024//

Connie Lahn, Barnes & Thornburg LLP

Connie Lahn, Barnes & Thornburg LLP

Barnes & Thornburg LLP

Paul Nolan//September 26, 2024//

Listen to this article

Established in 2009, the Minneapolis office of Barnes & Thornburg LLP has been recognized multiple times for its efforts in diversity, inclusivity and overall support for its employees. Barnes & Thornburg was named a 2023 Top Law Firm to Work by Minnesota Lawyer.

Connie Lahn, who became the managing partner of the Minneapolis office in 2015, has helped foster that award-winning environment. “Our commitment to inclusivity, diversity and supporting our team has remained a priority and has allowed us to maintain our strong workplace culture,” Lahn said.

Lahn also leads the Racial and Social Justice Foundation, which has granted $1.1 million to nonprofits addressing racial and social inequity. The firm’s Minneapolis office also hosts an annual Women in Leadership: Exploring Pathways event. Now in its 13th year, the event is open to the community.

Lahn represents Fortune 500 companies and other business concerns across the country on bankruptcy law, workouts, equipment leasing, foreclosures, real estate remedies and more. In 2019, Lahn was inducted into the prestigious American College of Bankruptcy, becoming one of only four women members of the college in the 8th Judicial Circuit.

Merchant & Gould P.C.

Heather J. Kliebenstein is managing director of the intellectual property law firm of Merchant & Gould P.C., where half the leadership positions are held by women.

Anthony Ostlund Louwagie Dressen & Boylan P.A.

Janel Dressen is the first female CEO of Anthony Ostlund Louwagie Dressen & Boylan P.A., a Minneapolis boutique commercial litigation firm.

Fafinski Mark & Johnson, P.A.

In 2007, Heidi Carpenter and Shannon McDonough, attorneys at the Fafinski Mark & Johnson commercial law firm, launched FMJ Women Uncorked, a series of events to help women attorneys connect with and support each other and other women in business.

Henson Efron

In January 2020, Lisa Spencer became a trailblazer at the 48-year-old Henson & Efron law firm, when she was named its first woman president.

Nilan Johnson Lewis PA

When Nilan Johnson Lewis PA chose its first woman president — Heidi Christianson — in 2019, a major commitment toward ownership by women took shape.

Ballard Spahr

Over 139 years in business, Ballard Spahr has earned a reputation as the place to go for clients looking for help in matters of litigation, transactions and regulatory compliance.

Ciresi Conlin LLP

Two of Ciresi Conlin LLP’s three founders were women: Jan Conlin and Katie Crosby Lehmann.

Honsa Mara & Kanne

In more than 30 years as a law firm owner and entrepreneur, Anne Honsa has made empowering female attorneys to build successful legal careers one of her priorities.

Maslon LLP

For 68 years, Maslon LLP has provided strategic legal counsel to the business community in Minnesota.

Roe Law Group

In three decades of law practice, Jessica Roe has earned a reputation as a savvy negotiator, skilled at helping clients prevent employment issues from arising, or helping resolve them quickly and efficiently, in or out of court.

Berens Miller

Berens Miller might not be the biggest, but that doesn’t mean it isn’t among the best.

Cozen O’Connor

Recognizing that it needed to have more women in leadership roles, law firm Cozen O’Connor started its Women’s Initiative program to bring programming, networking and connection to the women lawyers in the firm.

Faegre Drinker

For the global law firm Faegre Drinker, equity and inclusion is a given.

Sapientia Law Group, PLLC

Sapientia Law Group carries the distinction of being one of the few minority-and-women-owned firms in the Midwest.

Stoel Rives LLP

Sarah Johnson Phillips has truly risen through the ranks at Stoel Rives LLP, a leading corporate and litigation law firm recognized for its work in project finance and the energy and natural resources industries.

Winthrop & Weinstine

Tammera R. Diehm, the first female president of Winthrop & Weinstine, says the dual role of firm president and practicing attorney has a lot of crossover characteristics.

Barnes & Thornburg LLP

Established in 2009, the Minneapolis office of Barnes & Thornburg LLP has been recognized multiple times for its efforts in diversity, inclusivity and overall support for its employees.

Fish & Richardson P.C.

Fish & Richardson is a global IP law firm with 14 offices in the United States, Germany, and China.

Fredrikson & Byron P.A.

Leadership of Fredrikson & Byron P.A. is distinguished for how many top positions are occupied by women, among them is President Melodie Rose, COO Ann Rainhart, General Counsel Lousene Hoppe, and Board Members Loan Huynh, Christina Brusven and Leigh-Erin Irons.

Gustafson Gluek PLLC

Karla M. Gluek was a decade out of law school in 2003 and still working at her first firm when her colleague Daniel Gustafson asked her if she wanted to start a new firm.

Greene Espel PLLP

Over the past decade, two-thirds of Greene Espel’s newly elevated partners — eight of 12 — have been women.

MADEL PA

Jennifer Maria de la Luz Robbins, managing partner of MADEL PA, was named 2023 Attorney of the Year by Minnesota Lawyer along with her partner, Chris Madel.

Top News

See All Top News

Legal calendar

Click here to see upcoming Minnesota events

Expert Testimony

See All Expert Testimony