It became clear to me that I was a deal maker back in law school,” says Mary Ellen Reihsen, a partner at Hellmuth & Johnson.
That early vision become a reality. Reihsen is a business attorney focused on corporate and employment law services. She works with companies across industries, including hospitality and events, technology and media conglomerates, manufacturing, construction, and startups of all kinds.
“I am also fortunate to work with many women-owned and operated businesses,” Reihsen adds.
Her services include mergers and acquisitions, agreements, contracts, and anything a business needs to grow. She also works in employment law for employers, helping them keep up with multi-state employee requirements, and responding to regulatory audits or compliance claims.
She defines a “deal maker” as someone who can assess all the moving parts of a business or a transaction that owners and managers might not be thinking about, then evaluate the immediate term and anticipate what the deal will look like in five or 10 years or more. She stresses considering the ramifications of today’s actions to anticipate potential roadblocks and opportunities that might arise in the future.
“I’ve always had an advocacy streak and an eye for spotting potential problems,” she says. “Seeking a law degree seemed like a natural progression after I graduated from college.”
Reihsen graduated from Hamline University and earned her Juris Doctor at Mitchell Hamline School of Law, where she was a member of that year’s national championship moot court negotiation team. Reihsen went on to work as a judicial clerk for the Ramsey County Courts before moving into private practice.
Though Reihsen spent her first years of practice in litigation, she quickly realized her real joy came from working with clients on building their businesses. “I am a transactions attorney at my core,” Reihsen says. “I am a better practitioner because of my background in litigating conflicts, but my natural inclinations and strengths make me better at avoiding those conflicts altogether. I’ve always said my tagline is, ‘Winning your arguments before you have them.’”
Reihsen recognizes the responsibility it takes for business owners to operate their businesses and keep up with compliance requirements. “My job is to help my clients navigate their contracts and deals, but also to stay informed about their employment obligations, and address issues that arise.”
Reihsen says her favorite clients are the ones she works with regularly. “I love building long-term relationships with clients, so I know the history and what the company’s goals are for the future. I take a lot of pride in being the part of a client’s team responsible for navigating our legal obligations. I’ve worked with some clients for 15 years, and in many ways, it’s like we have grown up together. I have seen them start their businesses, expand and move to new locations, build a team, branch out, and, in some cases, sell the business. I know where they’re from, how they grew, and what their goals are. It’s a pleasure to work with a client through a business’s lifecycle,” she says.
Reihsen actively networks with the Woodbury community, especially in areas related to business development. She works with the Watershed District and is on the board of directors and the executive committee of the Chamber of Commerce.
“I pay attention to the health of the business community in the east metro of Minnesota and western Wisconsin, where Hellmuth & Johnson supports many clients. Professionally, I am enthusiastic about our Woodbury office because Woodbury has put in motion many business initiatives designed to promote and support business growth in the city, which is a great environment for my existing clients to grow.
“I also have personal reasons for caring about the health of the business community in Woodbury,” she adds. “My husband and I own a home in Woodbury, our kids attend school here, and we drink the water and pay taxes here. Coupling my legal business development with positive participation in my community is very rewarding.”
