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Dean D. Willer

The best deals don’t have a winner and a loser; it's a handshake, not an arm-wrestling match.

My Approach

My focus is always on accomplishing your objectives while maximizing long term value. This involves first listening to your goals and truly understanding your business, not simply the legal matters. To be effective, we have to appreciate how your business generates revenue, what are your relevant cost drivers, what makes your business unique and what you are looking to accomplish. As we confront problems together, it is important to me that we not only identify risks but develop common sense and often creative solutions to overcome outstanding obstacles. While many lawyers are great at recognizing problems and becoming immersed in the minutiae, if I can bring sound business judgement to help balance protecting my clients with a constructive and cooperative attitude, I would consider the transaction successful.

Most of my clients are closely-held businesses and private equity fund sponsors and their portfolio companies that are looking to innovate, grow and seek successful exits and/or deliver long term value to their equity holders. My clients tend to be engaged in software enabled business services, medical devices, real estate, energy and restaurant/food services.

My clients should expect and receive prompt responses and what I hope is a consistent, heightened degree of professional client service.

Practice Areas

Honors & Awards

The Best Lawyers in America©

Corporate Law, 2024

Rising Stars

Minnesota Super Lawyers®, 2008-2012, 2015-2017

BTI Client Service All-Stars

2015

Associations & Memberships

Winthrop & Weinstine, P.A.

Past Chair, Corporate Practice Group
Board of Directors, 2019-2021

Minnesota State Bar Association

Hennepin County Bar Association

American Bar Association

Carlson School of Management

MBA Alumni Ambassador