MINNESOTA 250 | 

Janel M. Dressen

Janel M. Dressen, shareholder, chief executive officer, and executive committee member at Anthony Ostlund Louwagie Dressen & Boylan, focuses on complex business litigation with an emphasis on shareholder, ownership, and business valuation disputes.

With more than 24 years of experience representing business owners and their companies, Dressen has built a record of significant victories in complex disputes. She served as lead counsel in Lund v. Lund, reported to be the largest Minnesota trial award in a shareholder buyout case, obtaining a buyout award exceeding $45 million. She also secured what is believed to be the first reported buyout decision under Minnesota’s Revised Limited Liability
Company Act.

Dressen is a co-author of chapters in the “Ongoing Businesses” and “Minnesota LLCs Deskbooks” published by Minnesota CLE, and a co-contributor to the American Bar Association’s Business Divorce Litigation chapter. In 2021, she became the first woman to serve as chief executive officer of Anthony Ostlund.

Organization

Education

J.D., The University of South Dakota School of Law, graduated in top 5%

B.A., with honors, Southwest Minnesota State University, graduated in three years

Key Accomplishments

See Honors below.
First female CEO of Anthony Ostlund (2022-present)

Board Affiliations

Professional Affiliations

• American Bar Association Member and Business Divorce, ADR and Business Committees Member (2019–present)
• Minnesota State Bar Association Civil Litigation Council President (2022–2023)
• Minnesota State Bar Association Civil Litigation Council Vice President (2021–2022)
• Minnesota State Bar Association Civil Litigation Council Treasurer (2020–2021)
• Minnesota State Bar Association Civil Litigation Council Secretary (2019–2020)
• Minnesota State Bar Association and Co-Author of Civil Litigation Practice Tips (2015–present)
• Co-Chair, Private Business Governance Committee, Minnesota State Bar • Association’s Business Law Section (2017–present)
• Member, Federal Bar Association Member
• Member, Hennepin County Bar Association Member

Community Involvement

• Community Service Committee MSBA Civil Litigation Council (2020–present)
• Board Member, Vice President and Secretary, Edina Swim Club (2014–2017)
• Chair of the Board of Directors, The Academy of Whole Learning (2014–2017)
• Volunteer, Mary’s Place Legal Advice Clinic Volunteer, Legal Aid Society (2000–2019)
• Toltz, King, Duvall, Anderson and Associates, Incorporated (TKDA) (2026 to present)

Awards and Honors & Certifications

• Chambers USA Rated Attorney, 2024-2025
• “Notable Women in Law 2022” by Twin Cities Business Magazine
• Minnesota Lawyer — The POWER LIST: Business Litigation, 2021-2025
• Recognized by the Best Lawyers in America, 2018-2026
• “Top 50 Women: Minnesota Super Lawyers” list by Super Lawyers, 2019–2025
• “Top 100: Minnesota Super Lawyers” list by Super Lawyers, 2023-2025
• The Best Lawyers in America in the practice area of Commercial Litigation (2019–2024)
• Fellow of the American Bar Foundation
• Selected as a Minnesota Lawyer’s “Attorney of the Year,” 2017
• “Attorney of the Month” in Attorney at Law Magazine, September 2017
• “Minnesota Super Lawyers” list by Super Lawyers, 2016–2025
• “Minnesota Rising Stars” list by Super Lawyers, 2004–2015

Other Honorees

See the full list of honorees in each category

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The Minnesota Legal 250 is Minnesota Lawyer’s premier recognition program celebrating the most influential and accomplished attorneys throughout the state. Our editorial team carefully selects a minimum of 250 outstanding individuals who have experienced prolonged success and an ability to successfully navigate changing client needs, legal developments, technology, economic environments, and strong community engagement.
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