Janel M. Dressen

Practice Areas

Janel represents business owners and businesses in all types of complex business disputes. Her sweet spot is shareholder, ownership, and business valuation disputes.

Career

Her clients, co–workers, and colleagues and competitors in the marketplace remark that Janel M. Dressen is a tenacious business litigator who will advocate tirelessly and creatively to resolve her client’s business disputes. Janel prides herself on being the most prepared person in the room, solving problems that lawyers and clients refer to as “the most challenging” and getting to know her clients and their businesses as much as they do. She loves to solve problems and views all problems as solvable with the right person by your side who has the knowledge, dedication and desire. Janel’s clients will tell you that you can expect to receive laser focus, determination, and sheer excellence when working with her.

With over 24 years of experience in representing business owners and their companies, Janel has an impressive list of victories for her clients. While she represents business owners and businesses in all types of complex business disputes, her sweet spot is shareholder, ownership, and business valuation disputes. Janel was lead counsel for what has been reported to be the largest Minnesota trial award in a shareholder buyout case in Lund v. Lund in which she obtained over a $45 million buyout award in favor of her client, Kim Lund. In addition, as lead counsel, she obtained a significant victory on behalf of her clients during the COVID–19 pandemic. She obtained a summary judgment in their favor on breach of fiduciary duty and good faith and fair dealing claims, as well as limited liability company member oppression claims with a fair value buyout from their real estate limited liability companies. This is believed to be the first reported buyout decision under Minnesota’s Revised Limited Liability Company Act.

Professional Memberships

American Bar Association Member and Business Divorce, ADR and Business Committees Member (2019–present)

Minnesota State Bar Association Civil Litigation Council President (2022–2023)

Minnesota State Bar Association Civil Litigation Council Vice President (2021–2022)

Minnesota State Bar Association Civil Litigation Council Treasurer (2020–2021)

Minnesota State Bar Association Civil Litigation Council Secretary (2019–2020)

Minnesota State Bar Association and Co-Author of Civil Litigation Practice Tips (2015–present)

Co-Chair, Private Business Governance Committee, Minnesota State Bar Association's Business Law Section (2017–present)

Member, Federal Bar Association Member

Member, Hennepin County Bar Association Member

Publications

Contributor, Business Disputes: Claims and Remedies Deskbook, 3rd Edition, Published 2/7/2025, Minnesota CLE

Recent Development in Business Divorce Litigation 2024, Business Law Today, ABA Business Law Section

StarTribune 4/5/2023 - Janel Dressen quoted in news article "White Bear Lake youth hockey group sues gambling manager who quit"

Pioneer Press 4/5/2023 - Janel Dressen current case coverage "White Bear Lake Hockey Association sues former gambling manager, alleges civil theft"

To Zoom or not to Zoom? Minnesota Trial Lawyers Beware, Minnesota Lawyer and Finance & Commerce – Partner Content, July 2022

Minnesota Lawyer 1/17/2022 - Janel Dressen was quoted in news article “Contingent fee lien doesn't pay.”

Featured in Capital Analytics: Spotlight On Interview with Janel Dressen, CEO of Anthony Ostlund Louwagie Dressen & Boylan P.A., December 2021

Better to have an enemy that slaps you in the face than a partner who stabs you in the back, Minneapolis/St. Paul Business Journal – Sponsored Content, October 2021

Featured in Minnesota Lawyer's The Power 30, October 2021

Ownership Disputes in Privately Held Companies, Minnesota CLE Deskbook Chapter 12, Representing the On-Going Business, First Ed., 2012, including updates in 2015, 2017, 2019 and 2021

Member Rights, Fiduciary Duties, Oppression, Liability, Remedies & Indemnification, Minnesota LLCs Minnesota CLE Deskbook Chapter 6, , First Ed., 2016, including updates in 2019 and 2021

Contributing author to Business Divorce Litigation, Chapter 26 of Recent Developments in Business and Corporate Litigation, 2020 Edition, published by the American Bar Association

Minnesota Lawyer (6/5/2020) – Janel Dressen was interviewed by Todd Nelson on the topic “Breaking the Ice: Crisis management dominates in pandemic.”

The Eighth Circuit Further Strengthens the Mandatory Expert Affidavit Requirements In Litigation Against Attorneys, Minnesota Lawyer and Finance & Commerce – Partner Content, August 2019

Don’t Be The Next Lunds & Byerlys: Lessons learned from the Lunds shareholder Litigation, Bench & Bar of Minnesota, June 2019

Minneapolis Star Tribune 3/27/2019 – Janel Dressen was quoted in news article “Minnesota Supreme Court declines to review $45 million award in Lund family dispute.”

Personal

Community Service Committee MSBA Civil Litigation Council (2020–present)

Board Member, Vice President and Secretary, Edina Swim Club (2014–2017)

Chair of the Board of Directors, The Academy of Whole Learning (2014–2017)

Volunteer, Mary’s Place Legal Advice Clinic Volunteer, Legal Aid Society (2000–2019)