Fafinski Mark & Johnson, P.A.

View the profile as it appeared in Minnesota Super Lawyers 2008 (PDF)

Since 1999, Fafinski Mark & Johnson has had one goal—to combine big-firm knowledge and expertise with an intimate, small-firm customer service model. “We are client-oriented,” says co-founder Robert Fafinski. “We provide clients access to attorneys with world-class knowledge and experience, while avoiding some of the disadvantages of working with a large firm.”

Considering FMJ’s suburban locale, Fafinski gazes at the lake outside his window. “We offer the same intellectual power and expertise as a downtown firm, just with a peaceful view and free parking,” he says with a laugh. FMJ attorneys are leaders in the field. “Out of 24 attorneys, we have five named in Super Lawyers and four in Rising Stars,” he says. “Those are impressive numbers for our size.” The attorneys have also been included in The International Who’s Who of Aviation Lawyers 2008 and The Guide to the World’s Leading Aviation Lawyers. FMJ was named one of the world’s best firms for commercial aviation.

But there’s more to FMJ than aviation. “Our creditors’ rights area has exploded and our litigation team has already achieved some impressive wins in 2008,” Fafinski says. “We also have accomplished attorneys in the areas of noncompete and employment law, commercial real estate, intellectual property and mergers and acquisitions. We’ve worked with more than 15 Fortune 500 companies.”

As FMJ approaches its 10th anniversary in 2009, Fafinski says the future looks bright. “As I think about where we started and look at the firm now, I am so proud of our employees and what we’ve accomplished. I can’t wait to see where we go from here.”

FIVE FMJ ATTORNEYS NAMED TO SUPER LAWYERS®

Robert R. Fafinski, Jr. has practiced since 1983 in the areas of corporate law, corporate finance, commercial aviation and mergers. This is his 10th Super Lawyers recognition. He was recently named one of the best commercial lawyers in Minnesota.

Donald Chance Mark, Jr. is an FMJ founder with more than 30 years of experience handling general litigation, aviation litigation, products liability and medical and professional malpractice defense matters. His peers named him a “Leading American Attorney.”

Shannon M. McDonough is a shareholder with a national litigation practice who specializes in employment and commercial cases that include non-competition, trade secrets, discrimination and harassment. She is repeatedly named in Super Lawyers and was chosen as a charter fellow of the Litigation Counsel of America, whose fellowship includes less than one-half of one percent of American lawyers.

Connie A. Lahn is a shareholder who specializes in bankruptcy law, workouts, equipment leasing issues, foreclosures, real estate remedies and related commercial litigation. She chairs the bankruptcy and insolvency practice group and is repeatedly named in Super Lawyers. The Minneapolis Regional Chamber of Commerce chose her to participate in a Leadership Twin Cities program.

Patrick J. Rooney specializes in representing privately owned and publicly traded corporations in commercial litigation matters, which include disputes that involve shareholders and employees, contracts, securities, trade secrets, copyright and general commercial litigation issues. Rooney is repeatedly named in Super Lawyers.