Clients call Brad Barz for his experienced guidance on complicated and difficult corporate legal issues.

Brad primarily advises companies on legal matters companies face from time to time; and advises companies on business sales, purchases, and mergers. Brad utilizes his business and legal experience in these areas and strategizes with companies to achieve the best possible results for clients.

Brad gained business experience in the retail, construction, and agriculture industries before acquiring his graduate business degree and law degree. This experience helps him understand the business issues clients face.

In his free time, Brad enjoys spending time with his wife and three sons. He also enjoys being involved with and supporting community philanthropic groups and projects. Brad and his wife are the founders of the Miracle League of Central Minnesota.

Areas of Focus

Services

Sectors

Experience

  • Outside general counsel and general legal advice for companies in a variety of industries, including the following: manufacturing, retail (including dealerships, restaurants, consumer goods, and construction products), professional services (including accounting, engineering, wealth management, consulting, medical, dental, and chiropractic), wholesale, construction, interstate carriers, brokerage, third-party logistics, and agriculture.
  • Sales, purchases, and spin-offs of companies in a variety of industries, including the following: manufacturing, retail (including dealerships, restaurants, consumer goods, and construction products), professional services (including accounting, engineering, wealth management, consulting, medical, dental, and chiropractic), wholesale, construction, interstate carriers, brokerage, agriculture, senior homes, and commercial real property.
  • Business succession, transition, and buy-in planning, including advising companies on preparing for sale of the business, transitions to new owners, ownership transitions in family owned businesses, ownership transitions to employees that are not related to current owners, ownership sales to third-parties that do not work for the business, cross-purchase and buy-sell agreements, reorganizations and recapitalizations of business, and the creation of different classes of stock.
  • Disputes between business owners, including claims of shareholder oppression, enforcing shareholder rights, responding to requests for information from owners, buy-outs and squeeze-outs of oppressed or displeased owners.
  • Fundraising for businesses, including negotiation of investment documents and rights, and compliance with securities law.
  • Business contract form review, and preparation in a variety of industries, including the following: professional services (including engineering and technology), contracted services, construction, interstate carriers, real property, and manufacturing.
  • Business contract review of contracts businesses are asked to sign from time to time in a variety of industries, including the following: manufacturing, retail (including dealerships, restaurants, consumer goods, and construction products), professional services (including accounting, engineering, wealth management, consulting, medical, dental, and chiropractic), wholesale, construction, interstate carriers, brokerage, third-party logistics, and agriculture.
  • Business contract negotiation training of employees that are negotiating contracts for a business to help employees understand and negotiate the most important terms and conditions of contracts they may be negotiating on behalf of the business.
  • Joint ventures and other strategic business arrangements between companies in a variety of industries, including the following: manufacturing, construction, professional services, contracted services, and real property.
  • Employment issues and matters that companies face from time to time, including advising on employment agreements, termination of employees, hiring of employees, claims from a current or former employee, executive compensation plans and strategies, and independent contractor issues.
  • Real estate purchase and sales in a variety of contexts including commercial real estate, industrial real estate, and real estate related to business sale or acquisition transactions.
  • Real estate lease negotiation and reviews for both landlords and tenants.
  • Financing and recapitalization of companies including the negotiation and review of legal documents related to such financing or recapitalization.
  • Corporate and board of directors governance, including training and advice regarding best practices.
  • Advice and counsel to start-up and brand new companies in an efficient and cost-effective manner.

Credentials

Education

  • University of South Dakota School of Law (J.D.)
    • Dean’s Certificate for Outstanding Performance
  • University of South Dakota (M.B.A.)
    • Beta Gamma Sigma
  • University of South Dakota (B.S., Accounting)

Admissions

Bar Admissions

  • Minnesota

Professional Activities

  • Central Minnesota Manufacturers Association
  • Minnesota Trucking Association
  • American Bar Association
  • Minnesota State Bar Association
  • Stearns-Benton Bar Association

Community Involvement

  • Central Minnesota Boy Scouts Council, Executive Board Member
  • Miracle League of Central Minnesota, Founder
  • Cloud Lions Club, Past President
  • Sauk Rapids Youth Baseball Association, Assistant Coach