For emerging companies, legal guidance is rarely just about contracts or compliance. The right advisor helps founders think strategically — structuring decisions today in ways that support future growth, investment, and long-term success. That practical, business-minded approach is one reason why Fredrikson & Byron, P.A. continues to deepen its involvement in Minnesota’s startup ecosystem through its partnership with MESA.
Now in its second year as a MESA Premier Partner, Fredrikson brings extensive experience in corporate law, venture financing, mergers and acquisitions, and strategic business counsel to entrepreneurs navigating every stage of growth.
“From the outset, our goal has been to provide practical legal advice that helps business clients make sound decisions,” said Deborah Walker Kool, an attorney in Fredrikson’s Corporate & Finance and Mergers & Acquisitions groups. “We pride ourselves on being a practical, business-minded voice at the table.”
Deep Midwest Roots with National Reach
Founded in Minnesota, Fredrikson has grown into a practical business-minded law firm with more than 400 attorneys and offices across the United States and internationally. The firm was recently named to the Am Law 200, recognizing it among the top 200 law firms in the country by revenue.
Despite its growth, Fredrikson continues to emphasize its Midwestern roots and regional perspective.
“What distinguishes us is that we grew up here,” Walker Kool explained. “Many firms our size in the Twin Cities are actually coastal firms with offices here. Fredrikson was built in the Midwest, and we’ve grown alongside many of the companies and industries that define this region.”
That history, she says, creates a unique combination: sophisticated national-level legal capabilities delivered with an understanding of Midwestern business culture and priorities.
“We’re able to provide affordable legal services that are as sophisticated as coastal firms can provide, while remaining deeply integrated into this community,” she said.
Helping Startups Build with the End in Mind
Fredrikson works extensively with startups, venture-backed companies, and emerging businesses, particularly in areas involving corporate structure, financing, governance, and eventual exit strategies.
According to Walker Kool, one of the firm’s greatest strengths is helping founders think strategically from the very beginning.
“What’s fantastic about working with startups is helping them begin with the end in mind,” she said. “Whether founders want to build a company they’ll run forever, raise outside capital, retain ownership while scaling, or eventually sell the company, we have experience helping them structure for those goals early.”
The firm’s broad bench of attorneys also allows startups to access specialized expertise as new challenges emerge.
“If one of our startup clients runs into an issue I can’t handle, there’s a deep bench of expertise at Fredrikson we can call on,” Walker Kool said.
That depth becomes especially valuable as companies grow and face increasingly complex legal and operational questions.
Practical Advice for Early-Stage Founders
Walker Kool also emphasized an issue many early-stage founders struggle with: deciding where legal investment matters most.
“There are certain things you really should do correctly from the beginning,” she said. “Founders are moving quickly and trying to prioritize resources, but it’s worth talking to a lawyer early about what you can reasonably bootstrap and what needs professional guidance.”
In particular, she noted that ownership and equity structures are areas where early shortcuts can create major complications later.
“Don’t mess with your equity documents without talking to somebody,” she said. “You’re really going to care about that later.”
That practical orientation — helping founders allocate resources wisely rather than overspend unnecessarily — aligns closely with Fredrikson’s broader philosophy of serving as business advisors, not just legal technicians.
Investing in Minnesota’s Entrepreneurial Community
Fredrikson’s partnership with MESA reflects the firm’s longstanding commitment to supporting Minnesota’s broader business ecosystem.
“We want to be part of this community,” Walker Kool said. “We want to help strengthen this business community, and at the same time, we want to draw our business from it.”
For the firm, involvement with organizations like MESA goes beyond business development. It’s also about supporting innovation, mentorship, and long-term economic growth across the region. Walker Kool said she’s been especially impressed by the commitment MESA mentors demonstrate toward founders.
“It’s inspiring how dedicated the mentors are,” she said. “They’re volunteering their time, but they’re as passionately committed to these companies as if it were a paying job.”
That spirit of long-term relationship-building resonates with Fredrikson’s own approach to client partnerships.
“We like being involved where we see creative, innovative companies,” Walker Kool added. “We’re energized by startups and entrepreneurship, and we hope we can be of service to companies for years to come.”
