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Our Team

Big firm experience.

Small business gumption.

You didn’t start your business because it was the ‘easy route.’ Neither did we. We worked in the big firms and earned our own digs. We want to bring that experience to your enterprise without the pricing burdens that flow from the (broken) big-firm model.

 

In addition to our big-firm-lawyering cred, our team brings decades of experience as business leaders and entrepreneurs ourselves. We’ve owned landscaping companies, restaurants,real estate companies, health & beauty franchises, and gourmet food companies. We’ve been in the trenches as brands rocket from local to national and then international success. Whatever your issue, we’ve seen it or something like it, and have a first-hand awareness of where it should fall in your priorities list.

 

And, when it comes down to it, you have to like your lawyer. We’ve deliberately assembled a team of like-minded and likable colleagues, so that you can feel comfortable contacting any one of us in a pinch. You wouldn’t pick a business partner without making sure you work well together; your lawyer should get the same scrutiny.

Meredith Bauer

Of Counsel
Email Meredith here
Phone:612.314.8001

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.

The model worked, and Meredith was quickly consumed with full-time work as General Counsel of Anytime Fitness and its related brands in 2013. While in-house, she assisted the company in growing to over 3,000 franchised locations in the US and internationally and the launch of its sister brand, Waxing the City. While managing all its legal affairs, Meredith also served on the company’s executive committee overseeing business and fiscal strategy.

Although she loved her time in-house, Meredith’s entrepreneurial itch begged for scratching, and she made her triumphant return to EntrePartner in the summer of 2017. She currently serves as “of counsel” to the firm.

Mike Mergens

Attorney
Email Mike here
Phone:612.314.8003

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

Attorney
Email Ken here
Phone:612.314.8009

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

Attorney
Email John here
Phone: 612.314.8005

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.

Are you ready to work with EntrePartner?