I see myself as a bridge builder, helping clients grow stronger through connection and collaboration with other organizations.  I serve as a core member of many of my clients’ leadership teams, helping solve legal challenges in a way that meets the practical needs of tax-exempt and healthcare organizations. I focus on bringing creativity and a deep business understanding to every matter, ensuring that legal navigation allows clients to stay focused on their mission. “Catie is closer to being an in-house counsel than any of our other outside counsel relationships,” said one client. “She knows who to talk to and how things work here. She is essential to our business.”

Catie Bitzan Amundsen is a trusted advisor to many nonprofit and healthcare organizations. She enjoys helping clients craft creative legal strategies to make intelligent, informed decisions while protecting their tax-exempt status. She confidently enables clients to navigate complex legal issues, knowing their resources and reputations are safeguarded. She is also a Co-Chair of the Lathrop GPM Foundation, the firm’s charitable giving arm.

Among the clients Catie represents are:

  • Arts organizations
  • Colleges and universities
  • Environmental initiatives
  • Family foundations
  • Foundations and grantmakers
  • Hospitals and health systems
  • Long-term care providers
  • Nonprofits (domestic and international)

What sets Catie apart is her practical, tailored approach. She prioritizes understanding the unique business implications of legal issues for each client and provides advice that aligns with their specific goals and strategic plans. Clients appreciate her ability to think ahead and offer solutions beyond the legal basics, helping them make informed decisions supporting their long-term success. Whether establishing new governance structures, incorporating new organizations, or advising on the structure of a complex healthcare merger, Catie brings a deep understanding of both the legal landscape and the mission-driven nature of client work.

She counsels nonprofit and healthcare organizations on issues related to:

  • Bond financing
  • Contracting
  • Corporate governance
  • Formation and tax-exemption
  • Fundraising
  • International operations and grantmaking
  • Mergers and acquisitions, affiliations and joint ventures
  • Private foundation rules
  • Program-related investments
  • Regulatory compliance
  • Social enterprise

Domestic and foreign nonprofits also rely on Catie’s counsel regarding international operations and grantmaking, international fundraising and international transfers of charitable funds and supplies, including through partnerships with foreign local counsel.

Catie is a strong negotiation advocate who diligently achieves client objectives while maintaining their integrity and reputation in the community. One client said, “Integrity is important in how our company shows up in the world. Catie exudes confidence. Her image, integrity and character exemplify us as a business, our goals and how we want to be perceived.”

With clients across Minnesota and the U.S., Catie’s experience and commitment make her a valuable partner for organizations looking to make an impact.

Areas of Focus

Experience

  • Advised a large multi-hospital rural healthcare system on the staggered divestitures of four skilled nursing facilities and associated assisted living and senior living campuses to a 501(c)(3) senior services provider.
  • Facilitated the integration of a large senior living organization into a Minnesota-based senior services provider, handling negotiations, regulatory issues and HUD-financed property transitions.
  • Counseled religious orders on the affiliation of multiple colleges and universities in which the orders have a substantial oversight and governance role.
  • Assisted with all facets of joint ventures and mergers and acquisitions for nonprofit, higher education, and health care organizations.

  • Advised family foundations on the division of the historical family foundation into multiple foundations and donor-advised funds in the context of transitioning to the next generation.
  • Advised private foundations on governance, grantmaking, and compliance with self-dealing and other private foundation rules.
  • Advised 501(c)(3) organizations on structuring and establishing executive compensation.
  • Guided the legal restructuring and separation of a museum from a higher education institution.
  • Guided a large multi-hospital health system through the sale of its flagship skilled nursing facility and related senior living facilities, ensuring regulatory compliance and mission integrity.
  • Led the development of a creative governance structure for a hospital and health system, balancing best practices with the preservation of its mission and identity.
  • Facilitated program-related investments by private foundations.
  • Provided continuous guidance on tax-exemption matters and regulatory compliance.
  • Served as borrower's counsel in tax-exempt bond financings.

Credentials

Education

  • University of Minnesota Law School (J.D., magna cum laude, 2008)
    • Minnesota Journal of International Law, articles editor
    • Order of the Coif
  • University of St. Thomas (B.A., summa cum laude, 2002)

Admissions

Bar Admissions

  • Minnesota

Recognitions

  • Minnesota State Bar Association, "North Star Lawyers," 2012-2024
  • Minnesota Lawyer, "Up & Coming Attorney," 2018

Presentations

  • Presenter, "Non-Competes Are No Longer – Now What?" Lathrop GPM Health Law Seminar, July 24, 2024
  • Co-presenter, "There’s No Easy Button: Scope of Practice & Telehealth," Lathrop GPM Health Law Seminar, September 22, 2022
  • Co-presenter, "MCF Workshop: Legal 101,” Minnesota Council on Foundations, September 21, 2022
  • Co-presenter, "Family Foundation Management," Lathrop GPM Zoom Webinar, May 24, 2022
  • Co-presenter, "Tax-Exemption 101," 2022 Nonprofit Law Conference, Minnesota CLE, March 8, 2022

  • Co-presenter, “MCF Workshop: Governance 101,” Minnesota Council on Foundations, November 3, 2021
  • Co-presenter, “MCF Workshop: Legal 101,” Minnesota Council on Foundations, October 6, 2021
  • Co-presenter, “Governance Best Practices for Minnesota Cemeteries and Cemetery Foundations,” MN Association of Cemeteries Annual Conference, September 23, 2021
  • Facilitator & Co-host, “Future Forward for Nonprofits: A Discussion about the Future of the Workplace, Technology and Talent,” September 22, 2021
  • Co-presenter, "Getting Into Business: Diversifying Revenue Through Social Enterprise," MN Council of Nonprofits 2021 Nonprofit Finance & Sustainability Conference, April 20, 2021
  • Co-presenter, "Legal Compliance 101 for Social Impact Businesses in Minnesota," Initiative Foundation Initiators Fellowship Training, April 14, 2021
  • Presenter, "MN Department of Human Services MinnCAP Community Action Partnership Training on Structuring Social Enterprises," Nov. 24, 2020
  • Presenter, “Current Developments in Nonprofit Board Governance and Best Practices,” United University Board Training, United Way of Central Minnesota, Nov. 17, 2020
  • Presenter, “Rethinking Business: Nonprofits Engaging in Social Enterprise,” Propel Nonprofits, July 14, 2020
  • Co-presenter, “Beyond Data: Harnessing the Power of Data Analytics in Evaluating Impact,” For-Profit Thinking in the Nonprofit World Seminar, Sept. 25, 2019
  • Presenter, “Legal 101 for Foundations and Grantmakers,” Minnesota Council on Foundations, Nov. 15, 2019
  • Presenter, "Key Legal Issues in Nonprofit Board Service," United University Board Training, United Way of Central Minnesota, May 21, 2019
  • Co-presenter, "Employment and Benefits Update: The Impact of the MeToo Movement, Rollbacks, and Executive Compensation Changes," Gray Plant Mooty 22nd Annual Health Law Conference, July 19, 2018
  • Presenter, “Innovation Dialogue: Panel on Social Enterprise and Business Risk,” Metropolitan Alliance of Connected Communities, January 17, 2018
  • Presenter, “Legal Options and Issues for Nonprofits Structuring Social Enterprises,” Propel Nonprofits, January 10, 2018
  • Presenter, “Getting it Right Up Front: Legal Options and Issues for Nonprofits Structuring Social Enterprises,” Financial Resiliency Through Social Enterprise Program, Northland Foundation, January 10, 2017
  • Presenter, “HIPAA-theticals,” Gray Plant Mooty Health Law Conference, July 12, 2016
  • Presenter, “Serving on a Nonprofit Hospital Board of Directors: Tips, Traps, and Best Practices,” Minnesota Hospital Association Trustee Conference, January 9, 2016
  • Presenter, “Legal Issues in eHealth Care Delivery,” co-presenter, MN Medical Group Management Association Summer Conference, July 30, 2015
  • Presenter, “Lightning Round: Data Breaches, HIPAA Audits, and Overpayments and Self-Disclosures,” co-presenter, Gray Plant Mooty 18th Annual Health Law Conference, July 14, 2015
  • Presenter, "Serving on a Nonprofit Board of Directors: Tips, Traps, and Best Practices,” MN CLE Business Law Institute, May 5, 2015
  • Presenter, “Getting it Right Up Front: Legal Options and Issues for Nonprofits Structuring Social Enterprises,” Financial Resiliency Through Social Enterprise Program, Initiative Foundation, April 4, 2015
  • Co-presenter, “Oh What a Tangled Web We Weave: Legal Issues in eHealth Care Delivery,” Gray Plant Mooty 18th Annual Health Law Conference, July 17, 2014
  • Presenter, “Serving on a Hospital Board of Directors: Duties, Do’s and Don’ts,” Minnesota Hospital Association Trustee Conference, July 12, 2014
  • Presenter, “Legal Overview of Social Enterprises for Nonprofit and For-Profit Organizations,” University of Minnesota Leadership Program, April 22, 2014
  • Presenter, “How to Serve on a Nonprofit Board of Directors,” Minnesota CLE Live Webcast, August 12, 2013
  • Co-presenter, “A Fresh Take on Compliance Programs: A Practical Guide to Compliance,” Gray Plant Mooty 17th Annual Health Law Conference, July 11, 2013
  • Presenter, “Fiduciary Duties and Best Practices in Serving on a Nonprofit Board,” miscellaneous private trainings of Boards of Directors of 501(c)(3) organizations, January 1, 2013
  • Presenter, “Tax-Exempt Organizations From Start to Finish,” National Business Institute, June 27, 2012
  • Co-presenter, “Minnesota Exemptions,” Minnesota CLE, Minnesota Nonprofit Deskbook Seminars, Minneapolis, Minnesota, October 5, 2011

Professional Activities

  • American Health Lawyers Association
  • Hennepin County Bar Association
  • Minnesota State Bar Association, Nonprofit Subcommittee of MSBA Business Law section, member; Health Law section, member
  • American Bar Association, Health Law and Tax Law sections
  • Multilaw International, GPM Delegate, 2019
  • LegalCorps Nonprofit Committee, 2018

Community Involvement

  • Eide Bailly ResourceFULLness Awards, Judge, 2024
  • Lathrop GPM Foundation, Board Chair, 2019-present; Trustee, 2013-present
  • Minnesota Council on Foundations, Board Member, 2021-present; Governance Committee, 2022-present; Membership Committee, 2015-2021
  • Mama Hellen Lotara School in South Sudan, U.S. Advisory Board Member, 2018-present
  • Quiet Oaks Hospice House, Volunteer; past Board Member and Secretary
  • Twin Cities Diversity in Practice, Young Lawyers Group Committee, 2012-2015