Spencer Fane LLP is pleased to welcome three new attorneys in Minneapolis, including two partners, Aaron A. Dean and Jeffrey A. Wieland; and one associate, Madeline E. Davis, to the firm’s robust Litigation and Dispute Resolution practice group. The firm’s Minnesota footprint, which has now added eight new attorneys across three practice groups since January, continues to expand in both niche and established sectors.
Aaron, Jeff, and Madeline have cumulatively tried more than 150 cases to verdict, judgment, arbitration award, or to a final administrative determination. The accomplished group of courtroom, arbitration, and regulatory compliance advocates represent general contractors, subcontractors, suppliers, developers, and public and private owners.
The three attorneys have significant Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) defense and regulatory compliance practices. Aaron, in particular, has handled more than 550 OSHA cases in 27 States. Aaron, Jeff, and Madeline regularly represent contractors in enforcement proceedings before federal and state regulatory agencies.
The trio also has a regular presence with competitive bidding disputes, including more than 100 bid protests, in Minnesota, North Dakota, and Wisconsin.
“We are thrilled to add a focused group of attorneys to our dynamic litigation bench who can help us continue to build out our construction and general business practices,” said Randi Winter, Office Managing Partner for Spencer Fane in Minneapolis. “The firm has already seen significant growth in Minnesota so far this year, and welcoming continued intentional expansion via strong, interconnected teams of attorneys will undoubtedly benefit our broader, cross-office collaboration as we work to align with new markets and client needs.”
Aaron, Jeff, and Madeline all extend their professional reach as frequent business and construction industry thought leaders. Beyond private practice, the three also maintain deep involvements in several legal, business, and nonprofit organizations.
About the Attorneys
Aaron A. Dean, Partner
A dedicated advisor with numerous long-term client partnerships, Aaron has established a lengthy track record of successful court outcomes; proof of his ability to maintain marked value and client dedication at all turns within a notably high-volume practice. He has defended against more than 550 OSHA investigations and cases for contractors in 27 states, mediated more than 150 construction cases, and tried to award more than 60 arbitrations. Aaron is the Chapter Attorney for the Minnesota Subcontractors Association and is active at the Minnesota State Capitol with new legislation. A sought-after construction industry thought leader, he has spoken at hundreds of trade events and conferences, instructed safety trainings for local and national contractor trade groups, and presented and authored topical industry content throughout his entire career. Aaron received his bachelor’s degree from Lafayette College, then earned his Juris Doctor summa cum laude from William Mitchell College of Law (now Mitchell Hamline School of Law), and clerked for two Federal District Court Judges.
Jeffrey A. Wieland, Partner
With an established reputation for providing adept counsel throughout all phases of a dispute, Jeff confidently guides clients from pre-litigation claims and risk analyses through resolution of cases via trial, arbitration, mediation, or appeal, while also frequently advising clients how to limit risks and avoid litigation altogether. Jeff’s engineering and project management background provides firsthand, in-depth knowledge of the many challenges construction clients face to deliver projects on time, on budget, and within specifications. In his first career, he served as an engineer and project manager designing, building, and testing defense systems for the U.S. military. Before earning his Juris Doctor cum laude from William Mitchell College of Law (now Mitchell Hamline School of Law), Jeff earned his bachelor’s in engineering physics from the University of Colorado at Boulder and his master’s in mechanical engineering from the University of Texas at Arlington.
Madeline E. Davis, Associate
Madeline provides thorough legal representation in residential, commercial, and public real estate projects. She has completed more than 10 trials and notably served as first chair in several. Her comprehensive practice entails drafting and negotiating construction contracts and settlement agreements and guiding clients through pre-litigation risks, construction defect claims, jobsite accidents, delay and acceleration claims, mechanics’ liens, insurance coverage disputes, and procurement disputes. Madeline has successfully represented general contractors and subcontractors to defend against citations and investigations by OSHA and Minnesota OSHA (MNOSHA). She has also successfully represented clients in employment disputes, including complaints brought through the U.S. Department of Labor. After receiving her bachelor’s degree from the University of Minnesota Twin Cities, Madeline earned her Juris Doctor cum laude from Mitchell Hamline School of Law.