Bakke Norman’s business transactions team includes seven attorneys serving local businesses and entrepreneurs from four offices in Eau Claire, New Richmond, Baldwin, and Menomonie. The transactional attorneys have deep experience in all aspects of business and corporate law, including business formation, contract negotiation and drafting, mergers and acquisitions, employee handbooks and benefits, corporate finance and debt-creditor relations, and taxation.

While small businesses are the bread-and-butter passion of the Wisconsin firm’s attorneys, they are regularly sought out by large multi-state companies for tried-and-true counsel and representation.

Attorney Lindsey Kohls personified the firm’s passion for helping local businesses; growing up in Elk Mound, she watched her parents manage successful businesses. After attending the University of Wisconsin-Madison Law School, she returned to the Chippewa Valley area to support local business owners in achieving their dreams. With a background representing local cities, villages, and towns, Lindsey is uniquely qualified to find the right solution for individuals and their businesses.

“Operating a business requires knowledge of often complex zoning, licensing, and regulatory requirements,” Bakke Norman’s Managing Partner, Deanne Koll, noted. “Lindsey’s experience representing local municipalities is invaluable in guiding clients through the maze of statutes, ordinances, and rules applicable to their business.

Attorney Bryan Tillman — also raised in Northwestern Wisconsin — is a Rice Lake native and spent many years working as in-house counsel for one of the area’s largest employers. He uses that firsthand knowledge to guide clients involved in all types of business transactions, including property acquisition and development. Bryan believes strongly in utilizing a pragmatic approach to representing clients, finding the right solution while maintaining a keen appreciation for cost-effectiveness.

“There is no substitute for the experience gained working as the in-house attorney for a company that sells its products all over the world,” said Tom Schumacher, a founding member of the firm. “Bryan uses that knowledge to advise individuals on forming, buying, selling, running, or transitioning ownership of a business.

“He understands that a one-size-fits-all approach does not recognize the unique aspects of each individual’s or each business’s needs.”

While Bakke Norman’s attorneys are dedicated to insuring individuals and businesses successfully meet their goals, they are also there to assist them when things don’t go as planned.

“We all hope nothing goes wrong in life or in business, but if things do take a bad turn, you need a diligent, experienced team to guide you through,” Bakke Norman Senior Partner, Tim O’Brien, said. “A lot of firms do not have trial lawyers to support their transactional attorneys. We have a fantastic team of six litigators who are always ready and willing to help people if they have a dispute or do need to get into a courtroom.”

While pointing out the need for experienced trial lawyers, O’Brien also noted: “We recognize people don’t want to be in litigation; it takes time, it can be expensive, and businesses — especially small business owners — just want to get back to work. We try to find cost-effective solutions to help them achieve that goal while protecting what they have worked so hard to build.”

Bakke Norman’s 13-attorney team has been recognized as business and litigation leaders by The Best Lawyers in America, Wisconsin SuperLawyers, Martindale Hubbell and the National Board of Trial Advocacy. The regional firm continues to build upon its established status, providing steady support to clients and their diverse needs throughout the Chippewa and St. Croix Valleys and beyond.

From storefronts to boardrooms to courtrooms, the right team for you is right here in our neck of the woods: Bakke Norman Law Office.

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