Halleland Lewis Nilan & Johnson Appoints Three Attorneys to Shareholder
Promotions push percentage of female shareholders to an impressive 48 percent
MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. (February 2, 2010) - Progressive Minneapolis law firm Halleland Lewis Nilan & Johnson today announced the appointments of Christy Mennen of the products liability and commercial litigation groups, Kari Hainey of the labor and employment group and Laurie Huotari of the business group to firm shareholders. The promotions push the percentage of female shareholders to 48%, a rate almost unheard of in legal services. Halleland currently employees 53 attorneys.
“Christy, Kari and Laurie’s work has made them indispensable members of the Halleland Lewis team,” said Matt Damon, newly appointed president of Halleland Lewis Nilan & Johnson. “Each has taken our client-first approach to practicing law to the highest level, we are confident each will bring their exceptional experience and expertise to the table while delivering consistent excellence for our clients.”
Christy Mennen has been practicing law with Halleland Lewis since 2002, where she specializes in products liability defense, personal injury, wrongful death and property damage claims. Mennen received her law degree from the University of Iowa College of Law and currently serves on the Young Lawyers Steering Committee of the Defense Research Institute. In her free time, she volunteers as an attorney mentor to law students and is active in the Minnesota Women Lawyers Professional Parents Association.
Kari Hainey is a member of Halleland Lewis’ labor and employment practice group. She counsels and defends employers on various workplace issues, including claims of discrimination and retaliation, wage and hour violations, and unfair labor practices. Hainey received her law degree from the University of Minnesota Law School in 2001 and clerked for Judge Paul Magnuson of the United States District Court for the District of Minnesota from 2004 to 2007. She now serves on the board of directors for Minnesota Women Lawyers and the publications committee for the Minnesota chapter of the Federal Bar Association.
Laurie Huotari becomes a shareholder after practicing in Halleland Lewis’ business group since 2005. Huotari specializes in representing companies in complex mergers and acquisitions and in private equity financing arrangements. Huotari received her law degree from William Mitchell College of Law and is a volunteer attorney for the Children’s Law Center.
About Halleland Lewis Nilan & Johnson Founded in 1996, Halleland Lewis Nilan & Johnson has built its reputation by putting clients first and building a practice centered on core values and defining the next generation of law firm. The firm focuses on six areas of practice: labor and employment, business law, product liability/mass tort litigation, commercial litigation, intellectual property litigation, and health care.
