Six Henson & Efron Attorneys Named "Rising Stars" for 2009

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

December 18, 2008, Minneapolis, MN – Henson & Efron, P.A., lawyers Christopher J. Burns, Kathy M. Davis, Scott M. Hagel, Melissa J. Nilsson, Lisa T. Spencer, and Brian C. Stegeman are attorneys featured in the 2009 Rising Stars issue of Minnesota Law & Politics magazine. The magazine names the top Minnesota lawyers who are 40 years old or younger or who have been practicing for 10 years or less.

Burns practices in the areas of estate planning, business succession planning, elder law and estate administration. He received a J.D., cum laude, from Syracuse University College of Law and is a member of the Hennepin County Bar Association and the Minnesota State Bar Association, among others. Christopher is active in a variety of professional, academic and community organizations and activities and was also named a 2006, 2007 and 2008 Rising Star by Minnesota Law & Politics magazine.

Davis advises and represents companies and individuals on a wide variety of business issues and transactions, including commercial transactions, mergers and acquisitions, shareholders disputes, intellectual property, and tax issues. She received a J.D., magna cum laude, from William Mitchell College of Law, and is a member of the American Bar Association, Hennepin County Bar Association and the Minnesota State Bar Association, among others. Kathy regularly appears as a guest speaker on the topic of blogging and is active in a variety of professional, academic and community organizations and activities including the Coalition Against Toxic Toys and Twin Cities Quorum, where she serves as Vice-President of the Board.

Hagel focuses his practice on commercial transactions, mergers and acquisitions, corporate finance, tax matters, shareholder disputes, and securities matters. He has significant experience representing buyers, sellers, investors, and shareholders in all phases of strategic transactions across numerous industries. Hagel received a J.D., magna cum laude, from William Mitchell College of Law. He is a member of the American Bar Association and Minnesota State Bar Association, among others. Hagel was previously selected as a 2005, 2006, 2007 and 2008 Rising Star by Minnesota Law & Politics magazine.

Nilsson represents individuals in all areas of family law, with an emphasis on cases involving significant assets or income. She also drafts antenuptial and postnuptial agreements. Nilsson received a J.D. from the University of North Dakota School of Law. Melissa is a member of the Hennepin County Bar Association and the Minnesota State Bar Association and volunteers regularly for the National Multiple Sclerosis Society and the Children's Cancer Fund. Melissa was previously selected as a 2008 Rising Star by Minnesota Law & Politics magazine.

Spencer practices in the areas of family law and alternative dispute resolution — with an emphasis on cases involving business valuation and significant assets or income. She received a J.D., magna cum laude, from William Mitchell College of Law, and is a member of the Hennepin County Bar Association and the Minnesota State Bar Association, among others. Lisa is active in a variety of professional, academic and community organizations and activities, and was previously selected as a 2005, 2006, 2007 and 2008 Rising Star by Minnesota Law & Politics magazine.

Stegeman practices primarily in the areas of entertainment law and tax law. His experience in entertainment law includes representation of several national athletes in the area of professional mixed martial arts (or "Ultimate Fighting"), as well as in other athletics and entertainment fields. His experience in tax law includes practice before the Internal Revenue Service, representation of clients in compliance and administration matters, and advising clients on business formation and tax planning. Brian received a J.D., cum laude, from the University of Minnesota Law School and an LL.M. in Taxation from New York University School of Law. He is a member of the American Bar Association and the Minnesota State Bar Association, among others. Brian speaks locally and nationally on topics related to tax law, and last year he was a co-presenter at the 2007 Federal and State Tax Law Updates CLE at the Hennepin County Bar Association.

Henson & Efron, P.A., a mid-sized law firm with more than 30 attorneys, is located in Minneapolis. The firm is known for its excellence in delivering a full range of legal services to individuals and to businesses of all sizes. Henson & Efron is a member of Legal Netlink Alliance, an international consortium of law firms providing integrated, cost-effective, high-quality legal services to clients around the world. More information can be found at: www.hensonefron.com.

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