MEET THE
TEAM
We pride ourselves that our team not only brings decades of big firm experience representing clients with their legal needs, but also as business owners ourselves. We have been in the trenches and faced many of the challenges our clients face. This allows us to serve not just as legal advisors - but also provide best practices, lessons learned, and support with business decision-making.
Meredith
Bauer
Meredith founded EntrePartner in 2011 after her light-bulb realization that all of her entrepreneurial and corporate clients need the same thing. So she built EntrePartner to meet that need. That’s why, to this day, we give practical and actionable legal advice to business owners and franchisors to assist their fast-paced growth with pricing transparency and attractive fees.
During her time at the firm, Meredith has twice been tapped as an in-house executive to assist her clients through critical stages of growth. As General Counsel of Anytime Fitness and its related brands, she assisted the company in growing to over 3,000 franchised locations in the US and internationally, as well as the acquisition and launch of its sister brand, Waxing the City. She also sat on the company’s executive committee overseeing business and fiscal strategy. As Chief Legal and Business Officer for Steele Brands entities, Meredith contributed to growing the Crisp & Green system in both a legal and business leadership role, as well as the launch of the PURALIMA concept.
Meredith’s unique in-house perspective provides her the ability to focus on strategic, practical advice and risk mitigation to her clients – actively representing start-up, growing and experienced entities in the franchising industry.
Mike
Mergens
Mike did the big law firm thing. He represented huge clients (and small ones) in land use, environmental, real estate, and property tax matters, both as a trial lawyer and a transactional attorney. But he was always nagged by the idea that the clients that needed him most (the small companies, emerging entities, entrepreneurs, and budding franchisors) couldn’t afford his big-firm rates.
So now he does the same work, for the same companies, at a fraction of the rate. He loves helping clients noodle their next big deal, and excels in the fog of battle, too. He has experience arbitrating large commercial matters and serves as outside general counsel to franchises and small companies.
When Mike takes his lawyer pants off, he spends his time coddling the (two) dogs, perfecting urban landscapes, punishing people at the poker table, and driving fast cars.
Ken
Hall
Ken takes pride in working with entrepreneurs and seeing them succeed. His varied background as a big firm lawyer, corporate counsel, and as an entrepreneur gives him keen insight that translates into pragmatic advice on starting and running a business. Ken provides general counsel services for entrepreneurs, franchisors, startups, and existing businesses of all sizes in all of their legal affairs, from the day-to-day activities to the bold moves. He takes the time to learn the ins and outs of his clients’ stories and industries. An entrepreneur himself, Ken has started businesses in the areas of franchising, retail, food production, e-commerce, and consulting. His deep experience in both transactions and litigation benefits his clients through all stages of a business’s lifespan. Passionate about entrepreneurial activities and helping businesses flourish, Ken has been featured in many television programs and magazines, including CNBC’s The Big Idea with Donny Deutsch, The Food Network’s What’s Hot, What’s Cool; The Food Network’s Recipe for Success, QVC, Entrepreneur, Minnesota Business, and Franchise Times. When he isn’t in lawyer mode, Ken spends his time seeking new adventures around town with his family, catching up with friends, being active outdoors, and taking in the local arts scene.
John
Cantril
John knew as a Husker law student that he wanted to become an attorney to help entrepreneurs and business owners make their dreams a reality. Through his experiences in Nebraska and Raleigh, North Carolina, he broke into the entrepreneurial world and helped his clients find success. Fast forward a few years and now John is right at home as an attorney for EntrePartner.
Originally, John believed he was going to be a PGA Tour player, but quickly realized he was better suited and happier helping others run businesses rather than chasing Tiger Woods on the course. While John still does take to the links when possible, he now focuses on assisting startups and small businesses through early-stage and growth-stage legal issues including commercial contracts, business formations, and commercial real estate.
John is a native of Nebraska, but has also lived in Iowa, Utah, South Dakota, North Carolina and Minnesota. His experience and perspective on legal and business issues are diverse due to his background, and he enjoys using this assorted knowledge to empower businesses when faced with difficult decisions.
Besides golfing, John enjoys checking out local breweries, traveling with his wife Stacy and keeping up with the latest football, basketball, and baseball news.
Liz
Stein
Legal Office Manager
Liz has worked in small, mid-size and large firms. Her experiences and interests in certain areas of law have led her to EntrePartner.
Liz has gained valuable experience in broad areas of litigation as well as franchise and other areas of business law. She has a passion working with businesses from their formation and throughout.
Liz and her husband Taylor are fully immersed in adventures with their very spunky daughter in her early toddler stage. Traveling will hopefully resume in the near future.
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