Henningson & Snoxell Ltd.
Maple Grove, MN 55311
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Henningson & Snoxell Ltd.
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Key Contacts
Owners, Principals & Senior Executives
Craig Dokken's Bio
Craig Dokken is a shareholder in the firm of Henningson & Snoxell, Ltd., located in Maple Grove, Minnesota. His practice is concentrated in the areas of:
- Construction law
- Construction litigation
- Commercial litigation
Construction Law. In his construction practice, Craig represents parties involved in construction projects and related disputes. His clients range in size from small family-owned businesses to large publicly held companies, including general contractors, subcontractors, owners and developers, as well as lenders. He provides a wide range of services to his clients including:
- Litigation and dispute resolution
- Mechanic’s lien representation and foreclosures
- Collections
- Design defect and breach of contract issues
- Water infiltration
- Performance issues
Banking. In the banking arena, Craig assists lenders in a wide range of banking and lending matters, such as:
- Foreclosure proceedings
- Loan workouts and forbearance agreements
- Secured creditor remedies
- Collection related issues
- Fraud and forgery matters
Craig has been selected as a “2013 Top Rated Lawyer in Commercial Litigation” by Martindale-Hubbell* and American Lawyer Media (ALM). He has also received an AV® Peer Review Rating in the distinguished legal directory, Martindale-Hubbell®,*and has been selected for inclusion in Minnesota Super Lawyers®, 2003, 2005, 2008-2009, 2015 Editions.
He was recently appointed by the Minnesota Supreme Court to serve a three year term as a member of the Minnesota Board of Continuing Legal Education. He is active in local and state bar association activities and recently served on the General Assembly and Appointments Committee of the Minnesota State Bar Association, and the Board of Governors for the Hennepin County Bar Association. Craig is a past chair of the Membership Committee, the Governance Committee, and Civil Litigation Section of the Hennepin County Bar Association.
Craig is an Adjunct Professor of Business Law at Hamline University in St. Paul, Minnesota, as well as a frequent speaker at continuing education seminars for lawyers.
He is involved in many outside activities including his church where he served as the president of an 8,500 member congregation, and as a board member for the church foundation. He is a past member of the City of Champlin Environmental Resource Committee, and is a past chair for the Longest Day of Golf Committee for the American Cancer Society. Craig served as president of the Champlin Park Youth Hockey Association from 2010 to 2012 and is now the president of the Champlin Park High School Girls Hockey Booster Club.
Born in Duluth, Minnesota, Craig received his law degree from the Hamline University School of Law and his undergraduate degree from Hamline University. Following graduation, Craig served as a law clerk for the Honorable Chester Durda of the Hennepin County District Court. Craig merged his practice with Henningson & Snoxell in June, 2002.
*AV® Preeminent™ is a certification mark of Reed Elsevier Properties Inc., used in accordance with the Martindale-Hubbell certification procedures, standards and policies.
Areas of Practice:
Construction Law
Construction Litigation
Commercial Litigation
Bar Admissions:
Minnesota, 1987
U.S. District Court District of Minnesota, 1988
U.S. Tax Court, 1992
Education:
Hamline University School of Law, St. Paul, Minnesota, 1987
J.D.
Hamline University, Saint Paul, Minnesota, 1984
B.A.
Major: Business Administration
Honors and Awards:
Minnesota Super Lawyers, 2003, 2005, 2008 – 2009, 2015
Minnesota Rising Star
Minnesota Board of Continuing Legal Education Board, 2012 – 2015
AV® Peer Review Rating, Martindale-Hubbell®*
Professional Associations and Memberships:
Minnesota State Bar Association
Past Member – Appointments Committee
Hennepin County Bar Association
Past Member – Board of Governors
Hennepin County Bar Association
Past Chair – Membership Committee
Hennepin County Bar Association
Past Chair – Governance Committee
Hennepin County Bar Association
Past Chair – Civil Litigation Section
Minnesota State Bar Association
General Assembly
James Snoxell's Bio
Jim is a founding partner and chair of the Business Law department of the law firm of Henningson & Snoxell, Ltd., located in Maple Grove, Minnesota. Jim practices primarily in the areas of:
- Business and corporate law
- Privately held companies
- Nonprofit organizations
- Mergers and acquisitions
- Strategic and succession planning
- Licensing and regulatory matters
- Trademark and copyright law
- Employment law
- Estate planning
Jim works closely with the firm’s business and corporate clients providing advice on business and corporate law issues, advising nonprofit organizations about their special legal concerns, and working to prevent and resolve employment law problems. He also helps clients protect their intellectual property rights, represents them in licensing and regulatory matters, and provides advice on business succession. Jim also assists business clients with their personal estate planning needs, as well as real estate law issues.
He has received an AV® Preeminent Peer Review Rating in the distinguished legal directory, Martindale-Hubbell®,* and has been selected for inclusion in Minnesota Super Lawyers®, 2001, 2002, 2004, 2006-2013, 2015 Editions.
Among other publications, Jim is the author of the Minnesota Mechanic’s Lien Practice Manual, which was published by Butterworth Legal Publishers in 1987 as a reference book for real estate attorneys in the Minnesota, and two chapters in Minnesota Business Law Deskbook 2 – The Ongoing Business Deskbook that will be published by Minnesota Continuing Legal Education in the fall of 2012. He is admitted to represent clients before all Minnesota state courts, the U.S. Supreme Court, the Minnesota Supreme Court, the Federal District Court for Minnesota, the Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals, and the U.S. Tax Court. Jim is a member of the American, Minnesota and Ramsey County bar associations, American Association for Justice (formerly the American Trial Lawyers Association), and Minnesota Association for Justice (formerly the Minnesota Trial Lawyers Association).
Like the other attorneys at Henningson & Snoxell, Jim is active in the communities we serve and his home neighborhood. He currently serves as a director of the TwinWest Chamber Foundation, North Hennepin Community College Foundation, Brooklyn Community Business Association, St. Anthony Park Properties, LLC, St. Anthony Park Booster Club, and Henningson & Snoxell, Ltd. In recent years, Jim also served both the TwinWest Chamber Foundation and the North Hennepin Community College Foundation as chairperson of their respective boards of directors, and his church as a director and chairperson of its board of trustees.
Jim received his B.A., cum laude, from Carleton College and his J.D., cum laude, from the University of Minnesota Law School. When away from the office, Jim enjoys hiking, leading a Destination Imagination team at his neighborhood’s elementary school, gardening, youth soccer coaching, and a variety of activities with his family. Jim has also been an adult Cub Scout leader and an age group coordinator and team manager for the Blackhawks of St. Paul Soccer Club.
*AV® Preeminent™ is a certification mark of Reed Elsevier Properties Inc., used in accordance with the Martindale-Hubbellcertification procedures, standards and policies.
Areas of Practice:
Business & Commercial Law
Nonprofit Organizations
Contracts
Employment Law
Real Estate Law
Business and Asset Acquisitions and Sales
Intellectual Property Law
Business Continuation and Succession Planning and Estate Planning for Business Owners
Bar Admissions:
Minnesota, 1981
U.S. District Court District of Minnesota, 1983
U.S. Tax Court, 1986
U.S. Court of Appeals 8th Circuit, 1983
U.S. Supreme Court, 1997
Education:
University of Minnesota Law School, Minneapolis, Minnesota, 1981
J.D. Doctor of Jurisprudence
Honors: Cum Laude
Carleton College, Northfield, Minnesota, 1978
B.A. Bachelor of Arts
Honors: Cum Laude
Published Works:
Minnesota Mechanic’s Lien Practice Manual, Butterworth Legal Publishers, 1987
Mistakes Employers Make With Employees – Understanding Basic Principals of Employment Law, Christian Management Report, May/June, 2000
Chapters entitled “Conducting a Business Review” and “Business Contract Drafting” in Minnesota Business Law Deskbook 2 – The Ongoing Business, Minnesota Continuing Legal Education, 2012
125th Anniversary Addendum to The History of St. Anthony Park United Church of Christ, St. Anthony Park United Church of Christ, 2012
Honors and Awards:
Minnesota Super Lawyer (2001, 2002, 2004, 2006-2015)
Martindale-Hubbell AV® Preeminent™
Professional Associations and Memberships:
American Bar Association
Member
Ramsey County Bar Association
Member
Minnesota State Bar Association
Member
American Association for Justice
Member
Minnesota Association for Justice
Member
North Hennepin Community College Foundation
Director
TwinWest Chamber of Commerce Foundation
Director
Brooklyn Community Business Association
Director
St. Anthony Park Properties, LLC
Director
St. Anthony Park Booster Club
Director
L. David Heningson's Bio
David is the founding shareholder of the law firm of Henningson & Snoxell, Ltd., located in Maple Grove, Minnesota. David practices primarily in the areas of:
- Business and commercial law
- Privately held companies
- Nonprofit organizations
- Mergers and acquisitions
- Strategic and succession planning
Helping clients achieve objectives in their best interest is David’s primary goal. David’s client service philosophy is to provide proactive advice and practical solutions to help his clients make money, save money and stay out of trouble. By carefully listening to the issues and concerns expressed by his clients, David is positioned to provide continuing assistance toward problem avoidance, thus reducing his clients’ need to respond to unnecessary situational problems at some time in the future. In addition to serving as President and CEO of Henningson & Snoxell, Ltd., David has owned businesses in retail, restaurant, commercial real estate, residential real estate, service and farming.
In his business law practice, David provides advice as outside general counsel to a number of nonprofit organizations. He works with privately held businesses, many of which are entrepreneurial and professional services clients including authors, lawyers, accountants, physicians, dentists and veterinarians, as well as franchisors and franchisees.
David serves as a strategic and business management consultant for many of his clients. He has established long-lasting client relationships based upon results and trust, enabling him to provide overall guidance in his clients’ day-to-day operations, as well as effective planning advice for their future. David provides counsel and coordination of all transactional legal needs of his clients. He assists clients in all aspects of business planning and operations, including strategic planning, contracts, negotiation, employment issues, mergers, acquisitions and succession planning.
In his work with nonprofit organizations and foundations, David addresses all needs of the entity including formation, application to obtain IRS recognition as tax-exempt status, governance, business law, contracts, employee issues, strategic planning, mergers, acquisitions and applications to the IRS for letter rulings on various proposed transactions by charities. He also provides counsel to tax-exempt organizations where an organization seeks to partner with a for-profit entity.
Many of David’s clients are involved in complex business and commercial transactions requiring his expertise in multiple legal disciplines such as financing, intellectual property, contracts, tax, employment law, health care, litigation analysis, strategic planning and restructuring.
David has represented privately held companies and nonprofits in merger and acquisition transactions in a variety of industries. He recently managed a multiple merger and acquisition transaction valued at $6 million involving several nonprofit organizations. The completed transaction permitted the expansion of the health care services of a highly respected nonprofit, and provided significant funding for a foundation serving the elderly.
Educational institutions and faith-based organizations frequently turn to David for help in achieving their objectives. David recently provided legal advice and strategic guidance to assist a nonprofit client in expanding their organization. The complex transaction involved the transfer of a radio station to a college, resulting in the expansion of the radio ministry’s outreach. The end result also produced an extremely effective tool for the college to provide training and broaden the reach of its message to the public.
Always with the long-term best interests of his clients in mind, David uses his wisdom and experience in strategic succession planning to enable clients to meet their current needs, as well as their long term objectives. He works closely with his clients to help them clarify and prioritize their goals. David provides business consulting on organizational effectiveness, as well as legal strategies in succession planning and developing exit strategies for organizations. Many businesses struggle with the problem of how to cease doing business when the time is right. Transfer control to a family member? Sell? Shut down and liquidate? David helps clients sort through the tough issues and establish a plan, sometimes several years out, to position the company for transfer. He works with clients to position the business for sale, including interviewing brokers and working with financial planners to ensure that the financial goals of the owners are met.
Minnesota Law & Politics magazine has repeatedly named David a Super Lawyer, a designation reserved for only 5 percent of the total lawyers in the state. He is a member of the American, Minnesota State and Hennepin County Bar Associations and previously served as an Adjunct Professor of Economics and Business Law at Golden Valley Lutheran College.
David has served on various committees and task forces in the North Hennepin area. He is a member and past director of the North Hennepin Chamber of Commerce, an active member, past president and director of the Maple Grove Rotary Club, and a member of the I-94 West Chamber of Commerce. David is also a former commissioner of the Maple Grove Economic Development Commission. He has been the recipient of the President’s Award from the Maple Grove Rotary Club and was named a Paul Harris Fellow by Rotary International.
He is very involved in community activities and is currently a member of the Christian Management Association and a member, past president and board member of the Christian Legal Society. David is also a former board member and past chairman of the Minnesota Family Council, a former trustee of the Youth for Christ Foundation and a past secretary and board member of Global Housing, Inc. He has been honored as the recipient of the Solomon Award from the Association of Free Lutheran Congregations Mission Congregations, as well as the Founders Award from the Minnesota Family Council. David also provides pro bono services to faith-based and community related nonprofits.
Born in Brainerd, Minnesota, David received his law degree from the Hamline University School of Law and his B.A. in Political Science and Economics from the University of Minnesota. He founded the law firm in 1981. David and his family reside in Osseo, Minnesota.
Areas of Practice:
Business & Commercial Law
Business Organizations
Nonprofit Organizations
Employment Law — Employer
Bar Admissions:
Minnesota, 1977
U.S. District Court District of Minnesota, 1978
U.S. Court of Appeals 8th Circuit, 1997
U.S. Supreme Court, 1997
Education:
Hamline University School of Law, St. Paul, Minnesota, 1976
J.D., Doctor of Jurisprudence
University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota, 1974
B.A., Bachelor of Arts
Major: Political Science and Economics
Honors and Awards:
Minnesota Super Lawyer (2002-2005)
Solomon Award – Association of Free Lutheran Congregations Mission Corporation
Founders Award – Minnesota Family Council
Who’s Who in Executives and Businesses
President’s Award – Rotary Club of Maple Grove
Paul Harris Fellow – Rotary International
Professional Associations and Memberships:
Hennepin County Bar Association
Member
Minnesota State Bar Association
Member
American Bar Association
Member
North Hennepin Chamber of Commerce
Past Board Member
Maple Grove Rotary Club
Past President and Board Member
Minnesota Family Council
Past Chairman and Board Member
Christian Legal Society of Minnesota
Past President and Board Member
National Center for Nonprofit Boards
City of Maple Grove, Economic Development Commission
Past Commissioner
Past Employment Positions:
Golden Valley Lutheran College, Adjunct Professor Economics and Business Law
Mark Steffenson's Bio
Mark is a shareholder in the law firm of Henningson & Snoxell, Ltd., located in Maple Grove, Minnesota. He concentrates his practice representing clients in business and commercial litigation. Minnesota Law & Politics magazine has repeatedly named Mark a Super Lawyer, a designation reserved for only 5 percent of the total lawyers in the state. He has also received an AV® Preeminent Peer Review Rating in the distinguished legal directory, Martindale-Hubbell®.*
Mark has devoted his entire career to representing clients in civil litigation trying dozens of cases in state and federal courts. He also resolves disputes using arbitration and mediation.
His approach to representing clients is based on years of experience as a commercial litigator, as well as a professional who understands business. From the outset of the relationship, Mark is committed to carefully listening to his clients to thoroughly understand the problems they face and their desired outcome. At that point he will evaluate the problem to provide his client with a fair and accurate assessment as to where the case is headed relative to the ultimate cost, the realistic chance of recovery, and determine the actual value of the case to the client.
Mark’s practice includes representing businesses and nonprofit organizations in the following areas:
- Contract disputes. For more than 20 years, Mark has diligently represented the interests of his clients in contract disputes, whether large or small. Most often such disputes are related to contract terms, interpretation, or breach of contract.
- Employment and ERISA litigation. In the area of employment law, Mark counsels his business clients in the downsizing process and their legal obligations under federal and state law, such as the WARN Act. He has represented businesses ranging from small employers to the world’s largest media conglomerate in all of their Minnesota employment and ERISA matters. Mark has successfully represented business clients with regard to employment contracts, harassment matters, trade secrets, defending and enforcing non-competes, as well as in ERISA litigation.
- Insurance coverage disputes. Mark’s business clients seek his counsel to review commercial liability policies, determine if there is coverage for a claim, and to take appropriate action to recover. He has successfully recovered insurance awards related to:
- Fire
- Theft and embezzlement
- Property damage
- Employee misconduct in areas such as harassment and motor vehicle accidents
- Life insurance awards related to issues for failure to disclose information on the insurance application
- Shareholder and partnership disputes. Mark works with closely held entities and partnerships to assist them in resolving internal disputes or management problems. He has represented both minority and majority shareholders in disputes in a variety of industries, such as CNC manufacturers, personal services, telecommunications and ammunition manufacturers.
- Third Party Administrators (TPAs). Mark has many years of experience representing TPAs involving disputes regarding administration of plan claims, both welfare and pension based.
- Trust and estates litigation. Mark represents clients relative to the disposition of assets from a trust or an estate, as well as the interpretation of the Will or other controlling document.
- Appellate law. During the course of his career, Mark has represented clients on appeal to the Minnesota Court of Appeals, the Minnesota Supreme Court, as well as the federal appellate system. Highlights of his appellate representation include:
- Employment related appeals
- ERISA
- Nursing home responsible party
- Consumer fraud on behalf of students of the Minnesota School of Business
Mark is admitted to practice in all Minnesota state courts, as well the U.S. District Court of Minnesota, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 8th Circuit, and the U.S. Supreme Court. He is a member of the Minnesota Trial Lawyers Association and the Federal, Minnesota State and Hennepin County Bar Associations.
Mark is a member of the Maple Grove City Council and was elected Mayor of the City in 2001. He also serves on the Board of Directors of the North Minneapolis Convention Bureau, is President of the North Metro Mayors Association, a member of the Regional Council of Mayors and the Municipal Legislative Commission, and serves on the Board of Directors of Community Action for Suburban Hennepin (CASH). Mark is also active in the North Hennepin Chamber of Commerce, Hennepin County Sheriff’s Community Advisory Committee, and the Steering Committee for the Maple Grove D.A.R.E. House Project.
Born in Robbinsdale, Minnesota, Mark received his law degree, cum laude, from the University of Minnesota Law School, and his B.A.,cum laude, from St. Olaf College. Following law school, Mark clerked for the Honorable Chief Magistrate Judge J. Earl Cudd and the Honorable Magistrate Judge Floyd Bodine. He joined Henningson & Snoxell, Ltd. in 1996.
*AV® Preeminent™ is a certification mark of Reed Elsevier Properties Inc., used in accordance with the Martindale-Hubbell certification procedures, standards and policies.
Areas of Practice:
Business & Commercial Law
Employment Law — Employee
Employment Law — Employer
Directors’ & Officers’ Liability
Litigation & Appeals
Shareholders’ Rights
Bar Admissions:
Minnesota, 1986
U.S. District Court District of Minnesota, 1988
U.S. Court of Appeals 8th Circuit, 1997
U.S. Supreme Court, 1997
Education:
University of Minnesota Law School, Minneapolis, Minnesota, 1986
J.D.
Honors: Cum Laude
St. Olaf College, Northfield, Minnesota, 1982
B.A.
Honors: Cum Laude
Honors and Awards:
Minnesota Super Lawyer (2002, 2003-2008, 2014-2015)
Martindale-Hubbell AV® Preeminent™
Professional Associations and Memberships:
Hennepin County Bar Association
Member
Minnesota State Bar Association
Member
Federal Bar Association
Member
Minnesota Trial Lawyers Association
Member
Maple Grove City Council
Member
Hennepin County Sheriff’s Community
Member, Advisory Committee
Maple Grove D.A.R.E. House Project
Member, Steering Committee
North Hennepin Chamber of Commerce
Member
United Way, Project Offstreets
Minneapolis Crisis Nursery
Past Employment Positions:
U.S. District Court, Honorable J. Earl Cudd, Chief Magistrate Judge, Law Clerk, 1986 – 1988
U.S. District Court, Honorable Floyd E. Boline, Magistrate Judge, Law Clerk, 1986 – 1988
Steven Graffunder's Bio
STEVEN M. GRAFFUNDER is a shareholder in the firm and is the chair of the firm’s Real Estate Department. Steve practices primarily in the areas of commercial and residential real estate, construction law, mechanic’s liens, and banking law. He is a Real Property Law Specialist certified by the Minnesota State Bar Association. He is a member of the Hennepin County Bar Association Real Property Section, and is a member of the Minnesota and Hennepin County Bar Associations.
Steve is a past president and board member of the Brooklyn Community Chamber of Commerce, a past president of the Brooklyn Center Jaycees, and a past board member of Brooklyn Center’s annual Earle Brown Days Celebration. Steve is a graduate of the charter class of the North Hennepin Leadership Academy and served on the Board of Directors of its Alumni Association.
Steve joined Henningson & Snoxell, Ltd. in 1986. He received a Bachelor of Science Degree in Business from the University of Minnesota in 1981, and graduated from the Hamline University School of Law in 1984.
When away from the office, Steve enjoys spending time with his family and golfing. Steve has coached teams in a variety of activities, including Little League, Odyssey of the Mind and Destination Imagination.
Areas of Practice:
Commercial and Residential Real Estate Law
Construction Law
Mechanic’s Liens
Banking Law
Certification/Specialties:
Real Property Law Specialist, Certified by the Minnesota State Bar Association
Bar Admissions:
Minnesota, 1984
U.S. Federal Court, 1986
U.S. Court of Appeals 8th Circuit, 1997
U.S. Supreme Court, 1997
Education:
Hamline University School of Law, St. Paul, Minnesota, 1984
J.D., Doctor of Jurisprudence
Honors: Recipient, American Jurisprudence Award in Torts; Agency and Partnership
University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota, 1981
B.S.B., Bachelor of Science in Business
Honors and Awards:
Minnesota Super Lawyer (2001-2009, 2011-2015)
Professional Associations and Memberships:
Hennepin County Bar Association, Member, Section of Real Property
Minnesota State Bar Association, Member, Section of Real Property
Brooklyn Community Chamber of Commerce, Past President and Board Member
Brooklyn Center Jaycees, Past President
Earle Brown Days Celebration, Brooklyn Center Annual Celebration, Past Board Member
North Hennepin Leadership Academy, Graduate of the Charter Class