Recent Hires


Fall 2008 Associates
John Brennan is a member of Briggs’ Financial Institutions and Real Estate Section. John received a B.S. in finance, and later an M.B.A., from the Carlson School of Management at the University of Minnesota. He received his J.D. from the University of Minnesota Law School. He is a former summer associate.

Shannon Gherty is a member of Briggs’ Financial Institutions and Real Estate Section. Shannon received her B.A. magna cum laude from Boston College, where she graduated from the communications honors program. She received her J.D. cum laude from the University of St. Thomas School of Law. She is a former summer associate.

Melitta George is a member of Briggs’ Business Law Section. Melitta received her Bachelor of Music degree with distinction in piano performance from the University of Kansas and a Master of Philosophy in Music from the University of Birmingham, England. She received her J.D. cum laude from William Mitchell College of Law. She is a former summer associate.

Michael Kaphing is a member of Briggs’ Business Litigation Section. Mike received his B.A in legal studies and political science from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. He received his J.D. magna cum laude from Hamline University School of Law, where he was on the Dean’s List. He is a former summer associate.

Bobak Razavi is a member of Briggs’ Trade Regulation Section. Bobak received his B.A. magna cum laude in law, jurisprudence, and social thought from Amherst College. He received his J.D. from the University of Wisconsin Law School. He is a former summer associate.

Tara Reese Duginske is a member of Briggs’ Business Litigation Section. Tara received her B.S. with highest honors in social work from Metropolitan State University. She received her J.D. magna cum laude from William Mitchell College of Law. She is a former summer associate.

Jessica Stomski is a member of Briggs’ Business Litigation Section. Jessica received her B.A. in journalism from the University of Wisconsin - Madison. She received her J.D. cum laude from William Mitchell College of Law. She is a former summer associate.

Aaron Thomas is a member of Briggs’ Business Litigation Section. Aaron received his B.A. from the University of Notre Dame. He received his  J.D. degree summa cum laude from William Mitchell College of Law. He is a former summer associate.
Lateral Hires
Alan Anderson joins Briggs as a shareholder in the Business Litigation Section. Alan received his J.D., magna cum laude, from the Cornell Law School. He also received an M.B.A., with distinction, from Cornell University Graduate School of Business and Public Administration. Alan is a fellow of the Litigation Counsel of America. He has been recognized repeatedly in Minnesota Super Lawyers in the area of intellectual property litigation. Twice he was recognized as one of the top 100 franchise lawyers in America.

Audrey Babcock joins Briggs as an associate in the Business Law Section. Audrey received her B.A. in chemistry, magna cum laude, from Hamline University. She received an M.S. in chemistry from the University of Illinois. Finally, she received her J.D., cum laude, from the University of Minnesota Law School. Audrey practiced with another firm in the areas of intellectual property, with particular emphasis on patent and trademark prosecution before joining Briggs.

Aleya Champlin joins Briggs as of counsel in the Business Law Section. Aleya received her B.S. in biochemistry from the University of Illinois and her J.D. from the University of Minnesota Law School. Prior to joining the firm, she worked as a patent examiner for the USPTO, and has worked both in-house and at law firms.

Chris Cleveland re-joins Briggs as of counsel in the Business Law Section. Chris received his B.A. and law degrees from the University of Wisconsin. He concentrates his practice in securities law, corporate financing, mutual funds, and mergers and acquisitions. Chris represents public companies in general corporate law and SEC matters. His practice also includes representation of mutual fund families under the Investment Company Act of 1940.

Jolie Frederickson joins Briggs as an associate in the Business Law Section. Jolie received her B.A. in political science and economics from Macalaster College and her J.D. cum laude from William Mitchell College of Law. Jolie’s practice focuses on assisting clients in business matters that include creating and structuring business entities, mergers and acquisitions, project financing, and other corporate transactions.

Sam Hanson re-joins Briggs as a shareholder in the Business Litigation Section. Sam received his B.A. degree from St. Olaf College, where he majored in economics and history and received his LL.B. degree cum laude and with honors from the William Mitchell College of Law. He practiced law with the firm for 34 years before he was appointed to the Minnesota Court of Appeals in 2000. Sam currently serves on the board of directors and was a former litigation section head and firm president.

John Klos joins Briggs as a shareholder in the Business Law Section. John received his B.S. in electrical engineering from the University of Minnesota, his B.S. in mechanical engineering from the University of Wisconsin and his J.D. from DePaul University College of Law. He is one of only a handful of registered patent attorneys with degrees in both mechanical and electrical engineering.

Jennifer Lammers joins Briggs as a shareholder in the Estate and Trust and Estate Planning Section. Jennifer received her B.A. cum laude in economics from Hamline University and her J.D. from William Mitchell College of Law. Prior to law school she worked as a trust officer managing and administrating trust and estates for high-net worth clients. Jennifer is the founder and coordinator of an estate planning clinic that was established by William Mitchell College of Law in conjunction with the Minnesota Justice Foundation.

Andrea Lundahl joins Briggs as an associate in the Labor and Employment section. Andrea received her B.S. in recreation and parks from the University of Minnesota and obtained her J.D. from William Mitchell College of Law, where she also received her LL.M. in taxation. She counsels employers on a wide range of employee benefits issues, including plan drafting and design, implementation, administration, and termination.

Roderick Mauszycki joins Briggs as an associate in the Business Law Section. Rod received his B.S. in chemical engineering from the University of Notre Dame and his J.D. from Stetson University College of Law. He also has a masters degree in business taxation from the University of Minnesota’s Carlson School of Management. In his tax practice, Rod assists clients with tax planning for mergers and acquisitions, like kind exchanges, and small business succession. He also represents individuals and corporate entities before the IRS and state revenue agencies.

Matthew Palen joins Briggs as shareholder in the Business Litigation Section. Matt received his B.S.B. in business finance from the University of Minnesota – Carlson School of Management. He received an LL.M. (with high honors) in financial services law and a J.D. (with high honors ) from Chicago-Kent College of Law. He has successfully represented both patent holders and accused infringers in a variety of industries in patent infringement actions. Matt has also represented clients in disputes involving unfair competition, theft of trade secrets, deceptive trade practices, and breach of contract.

Matthew Tomback joins Briggs an associate in the Financial Institution and Real Estate Section. Matt received his B.A. in political science from the University of Michigan and his J.D. from Fordham University School of Law. He practiced several years with a firm in Charlotte, North Carolina before joining the firm. Prior to private practice, Matt served as in-house counsel for an international real estate brokerage and property management company based in New York.

Sharna Wahlgren joins Briggs as a shareholder in the Business Litigation Section. Sharna received her B.A. in economics and political science magna cum laude from the University of Minnesota and she received her J.D. cum laude from the University of Minnesota Law School. She represents diverse clients in numerous industries, and has tried cases in state and federal courts throughout the country. Sharna is a frequent speaker and author on cutting edge intellectual property issues and litigation trends.

Christopher Young joins Briggs as a shareholder in the Business Litigation Section. Chris received his B.A. in management and entrepreneurship, magna cum laude, from Buena Vista University and received his J.D. with honors from the University of Iowa College of Law. His experience includes first and second chair litigation responsibilities, including management of fact and expert discovery, dispositive and nondispositive motion practice, trial, and appeal. As a patent litigator, Chris has represented multinational corporations and individual inventors, as both plaintiffs and defendants.