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Turning 125: Nelson Mullins Celebrating 125 Years of Legal Service in 2022
In January 1897, attorney P.H. Nelson left his position as solicitor of the Fifth Judicial Circuit to set up a private law practice in Columbia, S.C. The State newspaper contained a short but prescient news item on Jan. 26 about the endeavor, which noted that "the new firm should meet with great success."
And they were right. Today, Nelson Mullins Riley & Scarborough LLP offers legal services in 15 states and the District of Columbia from 31 offices with 930+ attorneys, policy advisors, and professionals. It is the 71st largest law firm in the nation based on 2021 gross revenues, according to The American Lawyer’s Am Law 100, a legal news organization that tracks law firm growth.
Throughout 2022, Nelson Mullins will be sharing seminal events from its history that highlight its growth from a one-man firm in 1897 to where we are today. Click here to learn more.
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July 6, 2022
Partner Virginia "Ginger" Rolfes will be a panelist for a CLE on July 6 titled "Real Estate Finance: Structuring Earnout, Release Parcel, and Partial Prepayment/Defeasance Provisions." The CLE will discuss holdbacks and earnout provisions under which mortgage proceeds are retained by the lender but made available to the borrower upon satisfaction of certain conditions. The panel will also analyze provisions that allow for the release of a parcel post-closing, including the subdivision, easement rights, and entity issues to address. In addition, the panel will discuss the prepayment and partial defeasance options with either scenario.
Real Estate Finance: Structuring Earnout, Release Parcel, and Partial Prepayment/Defeasance Provisions Hosted by: Strafford
Blake A. Gansborg
Partner
Suite 500
Denver, CO 80202
Blake’s legal practice focuses on complex commercial litigation in state court, federal court, administrative forums, and arbitration proceedings. He also concentrates on litigating franchise disputes before state administrative agencies. He has secured positive results for clients across a broad range of industries, including automotive manufacturers, energy clients, and financial institutions.
Blake has represented corporate clients at...
Blake’s legal practice focuses on complex commercial litigation in state court, federal court, administrative forums, and arbitration proceedings. He also concentrates on litigating franchise disputes before state administrative agencies. He has secured positive results for clients across a broad range of industries, including automotive manufacturers, energy clients, and financial institutions.
Blake has represented corporate clients at all stages of litigation, including at trial where he has conducted direct and cross examinations of witnesses, argued motions in limine, and assisted in all aspects of trial preparation. His practical experience also includes researching and drafting various pleadings, dispositive motions, briefs, legal research memoranda, and explaining legal issues to clients. He also has been involved in all aspects of discovery, including conducting expert and 30(b)(6) depositions, arguing discovery motions to the court, and managing complex discovery processes.
Blake’s legal career has spanned numerous facets of the dispute resolution process, from clerking for a federal district court judge, to working in–house as a secondee to Barclays investment bank, to his nearly decade–long experience in private practice litigating complex commercial disputes. This broad exposure has allowed him to develop a thorough understanding of the varied contexts in which corporate disputes arise and how they can be efficiently resolved. Blake has established himself as a trusted advisor to his clients as they seek to minimize risk and achieve business goals.
all stages of litigation, including at trial where he has conducted direct and cross examinations of witnesses, argued motions in limine, and assisted in all aspects of trial preparation. His practical experience also includes researching and drafting various pleadings, dispositive motions, briefs, legal research memoranda, and explaining legal issues to clients. He also has been involved in all aspects of discovery, including conducting expert and 30(b)(6) depositions, arguing discovery motions to the court, and managing complex discovery processes.
Blake’s legal career has spanned numerous facets of the dispute resolution process, from clerking for a federal district court judge, to working in–house as a secondee to Barclays investment bank, to his nearly decade–long experience in private practice litigating complex commercial disputes. This broad exposure has allowed him to develop a thorough understanding of the varied contexts in which corporate disputes arise and how they can be efficiently resolved. Blake has established himself as a trusted advisor to his clients as they seek to minimize risk and achieve business goals.
Experience
Automotive
- Represented automobile manufacturers in the voluntary termination of new motor vehicle dealers and other issues created by the COVID–19 emergency.
- Successfully terminated the franchise agreement between an automobile manufacturer and a California new motor vehicle dealer; after multiple rounds of briefing and oral arguments before the administrative law judge and California New Motor Vehicle Board, obtained summary dismissal of the dealer’s termination protest based on the dealer’s permanent closure and loss of floor plan financing.
- Represented an automobile manufacturer in an add–point dispute raised by a neighboring new motor vehicle dealer in California.
- Represented an automobile manufacturer in a three–week trial involving a dealer’s claim of wrongful termination under the California statute. Further represented the automobile manufacturer in a writ proceeding seeking to reverse the California Board’s decision through appellate briefing and argument before the California Superior Court.
- Represented an automobile manufacturer in a warranty reimbursement rate dispute with a new motor vehicle dealer in Arizona.
- Represented an automobile manufacturer in a litigation with a California new motor vehicle dealer relating to alleged unpaid or charged back sales incentives.
- Represented automobile manufacturers in bankruptcy and receivership proceedings involving new motor vehicle dealers and other business partners, protecting the manufacturers’ business interests and franchise rights.
Energy
- Represented an international wind turbine manufacturer in a two–week arbitration of a commercial dispute with a supplier.
- Defended an energy company in an action brought by a contractor seeking a multimillion–dollar recovery arising from a major pipeline construction project.
- Defended an energy company in a class action alleging underpayment of royalties on oil and gas leases.
- Represented an energy company in an action to recover approximately $20 million from a joint venture partner regarding its operation of a gathering system in the Marcellus shale of Pennsylvania.
Other Significant Experience
- Represented an insurance wholesale broker in a complex employment dispute spanning multiple jurisdictions across the country over the departure of dozens of employees, including the company’s most senior executive, to a competitor.
- Represented an insurer in a federal bench trial, winning reversal of a $3 million property appraisal award against the insurer.
- Represented a private equity firm and other affiliated entities in an action filed in Missouri state court alleging claims of breach of contract, tortious interference and veil piercing with regards to the purchase and sale of a mining operation.
- Represented a global financial institution in connection with a FERC investigation and lawsuit related to alleged manipulation of commodity prices.
Previous Professional Experience
- Litigation Associate at Wheeler, Trigg, O’Donnell LLP
- Litigation and Regulatory Investigations Secondee at Barclays Investment Bank
- Litigation Associate & Summer Associate at Cadwalader, Wickersham & Taft LLP
- Appeals Department Intern, Georgia Capital Defenders
Educational Activities
- University of Michigan Law School
- Michigan Journal of International Law, Associate Editor
- Saul L. Nadler Memorial Award for high performance in commercial law, corporate law, creditor’s rights, and securities regulation classes
- Book Awards for highest grade in “Commercial Transactions” and “Accounting for Lawyers”
Education
-
University of Michigan Law School,
JD,
magna cum laude
(2010)
- Order of the Coif
- Emory University, BA, Psychology (2006)
Admissions
- New York
- Colorado
- U.S. District Court for the District of Colorado
- U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York
- U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit
Clerkships
- Law Clerk, the Honorable Raymond P. Moore, U.S. District Court for the District of Colorado
Practice Areas
Automotive
- Represented automobile manufacturers in the voluntary termination of new motor vehicle dealers and other issues created by the COVID–19 emergency.
- Successfully terminated the franchise agreement between an automobile manufacturer and a California new motor vehicle dealer; after multiple rounds of briefing and oral arguments before the administrative law judge and California New Motor Vehicle Board, obtained summary dismissal of the dealer’s termination protest based on the dealer’s permanent closure and loss of floor plan financing.
- Represented an automobile manufacturer in an add–point dispute raised by a neighboring new motor vehicle dealer in California.
- Represented an automobile manufacturer in a three–week trial involving a dealer’s claim of wrongful termination under the California statute. Further represented the automobile manufacturer in a writ proceeding seeking to reverse the California Board’s decision through appellate briefing and argument before the California Superior Court.
- Represented an automobile manufacturer in a warranty reimbursement rate dispute with a new motor vehicle dealer in Arizona.
- Represented an automobile manufacturer in a litigation with a California new motor vehicle dealer relating to alleged unpaid or charged back sales incentives.
- Represented automobile manufacturers in bankruptcy and receivership proceedings involving new motor vehicle dealers and other business partners, protecting the manufacturers’ business interests and franchise rights.
Energy
- Represented an international wind turbine manufacturer in a two–week arbitration of a commercial dispute with a supplier.
- Defended an energy company in an action brought by a contractor seeking a multimillion–dollar recovery arising from a major pipeline construction project.
- Defended an energy company in a class action alleging underpayment of royalties on oil and gas leases.
- Represented an energy company in an action to recover approximately $20 million from a joint venture partner regarding its operation of a gathering system in the Marcellus shale of Pennsylvania.
Other Significant Experience
- Represented an insurance wholesale broker in a complex employment dispute spanning multiple jurisdictions across the country over the departure of dozens of employees, including the company’s most senior executive, to a competitor.
- Represented an insurer in a federal bench trial, winning reversal of a $3 million property appraisal award against the insurer.
- Represented a private equity firm and other affiliated entities in an action filed in Missouri state court alleging claims of breach of contract, tortious interference and veil piercing with regards to the purchase and sale of a mining operation.
- Represented a global financial institution in connection with a FERC investigation and lawsuit related to alleged manipulation of commodity prices.
Previous Professional Experience
- Litigation Associate at Wheeler, Trigg, O’Donnell LLP
- Litigation and Regulatory Investigations Secondee at Barclays Investment Bank
- Litigation Associate & Summer Associate at Cadwalader, Wickersham & Taft LLP
- Appeals Department Intern, Georgia Capital Defenders
Educational Activities
- University of Michigan Law School
- Michigan Journal of International Law, Associate Editor
- Saul L. Nadler Memorial Award for high performance in commercial law, corporate law, creditor’s rights, and securities regulation classes
- Book Awards for highest grade in “Commercial Transactions” and “Accounting for Lawyers”
Media
Recognitions
Professional Activities
- President-Elect, Asian Pacific American Bar Association, Colorado
- National Asian Pacific American Bar Association’s Leadership Advancement Program (2021)
- Representative to the ABA House of Delegates, Colorado Bar Association (2018–2020)
Community
- Mentor, Law School Yes We Can Organization
Blake’s legal practice focuses on complex commercial litigation in state court, federal court, administrative forums, and arbitration proceedings. He also concentrates on litigating franchise disputes before state administrative agencies. He has secured positive results for clients across a broad range of industries, including automotive manufacturers, energy clients, and financial institutions.
Blake has represented corporate clients at... all stages of litigation, including at trial where he has conducted direct and cross examinations of witnesses, argued motions in limine, and assisted in all aspects of trial preparation. His practical experience also includes researching and drafting various pleadings, dispositive motions, briefs, legal research memoranda, and explaining legal issues to clients. He also has been involved in all aspects of discovery, including conducting expert and 30(b)(6) depositions, arguing discovery motions to the court, and managing complex discovery processes.
Blake’s legal career has spanned numerous facets of the dispute resolution process, from clerking for a federal district court judge, to working in–house as a secondee to Barclays investment bank, to his nearly decade–long experience in private practice litigating complex commercial disputes. This broad exposure has allowed him to develop a thorough understanding of the varied contexts in which corporate disputes arise and how they can be efficiently resolved. Blake has established himself as a trusted advisor to his clients as they seek to minimize risk and achieve business goals.
Experience
Following is a selected sampling of matters and is provided for informational purposes only. Past success does not indicate the likelihood of success in any future matter.Automotive
- Represented automobile manufacturers in the voluntary termination of new motor vehicle dealers and other issues created by the COVID–19 emergency.
- Successfully terminated the franchise agreement between an automobile manufacturer and a California new motor vehicle dealer; after multiple rounds of briefing and oral arguments before the administrative law judge and California New Motor Vehicle Board, obtained summary dismissal of the dealer’s termination protest based on the dealer’s permanent closure and loss of floor plan financing.
- Represented an automobile manufacturer in an add–point dispute raised by a neighboring new motor vehicle dealer in California.
- Represented an automobile manufacturer in a three–week trial involving a dealer’s claim of wrongful termination under the California statute. Further represented the automobile manufacturer in a writ proceeding seeking to reverse the California Board’s decision through appellate briefing and argument before the California Superior Court.
- Represented an automobile manufacturer in a warranty reimbursement rate dispute with a new motor vehicle dealer in Arizona.
- Represented an automobile manufacturer in a litigation with a California new motor vehicle dealer relating to alleged unpaid or charged back sales incentives.
- Represented automobile manufacturers in bankruptcy and receivership proceedings involving new motor vehicle dealers and other business partners, protecting the manufacturers’ business interests and franchise rights.
Energy
- Represented an international wind turbine manufacturer in a two–week arbitration of a commercial dispute with a supplier.
- Defended an energy company in an action brought by a contractor seeking a multimillion–dollar recovery arising from a major pipeline construction project.
- Defended an energy company in a class action alleging underpayment of royalties on oil and gas leases.
- Represented an energy company in an action to recover approximately $20 million from a joint venture partner regarding its operation of a gathering system in the Marcellus shale of Pennsylvania.
Other Significant Experience
- Represented an insurance wholesale broker in a complex employment dispute spanning multiple jurisdictions across the country over the departure of dozens of employees, including the company’s most senior executive, to a competitor.
- Represented an insurer in a federal bench trial, winning reversal of a $3 million property appraisal award against the insurer.
- Represented a private equity firm and other affiliated entities in an action filed in Missouri state court alleging claims of breach of contract, tortious interference and veil piercing with regards to the purchase and sale of a mining operation.
- Represented a global financial institution in connection with a FERC investigation and lawsuit related to alleged manipulation of commodity prices.
Previous Professional Experience
- Litigation Associate at Wheeler, Trigg, O’Donnell LLP
- Litigation and Regulatory Investigations Secondee at Barclays Investment Bank
- Litigation Associate & Summer Associate at Cadwalader, Wickersham & Taft LLP
- Appeals Department Intern, Georgia Capital Defenders
Educational Activities
- University of Michigan Law School
- Michigan Journal of International Law, Associate Editor
- Saul L. Nadler Memorial Award for high performance in commercial law, corporate law, creditor’s rights, and securities regulation classes
- Book Awards for highest grade in “Commercial Transactions” and “Accounting for Lawyers”
Education
-
University of Michigan Law School,
JD,
magna cum laude
(2010)
- Order of the Coif
- Emory University, BA, Psychology (2006)
Admissions
- New York
- Colorado
- U.S. District Court for the District of Colorado
- U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York
- U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit
Clerkships
- Law Clerk, The Honorable Raymond P. Moore, U.S. District Court for the District of Colorado
Practice Areas
- Commercial Litigation & Business Torts
- Construction
- Franchise & Distribution - Litigation
- Motor Vehicle Manufacturers & Distributors
- Oil & Gas
Industries
- President-Elect, Asian Pacific American Bar Association, Colorado
- National Asian Pacific American Bar Association’s Leadership Advancement Program (2021)
- Representative to the ABA House of Delegates, Colorado Bar Association (2018–2020)
- Mentor, Law School Yes We Can Organization
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