Bassford Remele Welcomes Five New Attorneys, Launches a Corporate & Transactions Practice Group, and Now Offers Family Law Services

Minneapolis, Minnesota – June 28, 2024 — The Twin Cities law firm of Bassford Remele announces the additions of Wynne Reece, John Schulz, John Holper, James Reece, and Randy Sparling, along with the creation of a Corporate and Transactions Practice Group and the ability to offer Family Law Services to its clients.

Wynne Reece joins the firm as a shareholder and will lead the firm’s new Corporate and Transactions practice group. She founded The Creative’s Counsel in 2015, through which she worked with just under 2,000 businesses, of all sizes and phases, and is growing that infrastructure here. Wynne represents businesses, corporations, creative entrepreneurs, professional entities (law firms, mental health practices, dental practices, etc.) and individuals in commercial matters, including general structure, client relations and disputes, investor growth strategy, buy-sell agreements, mergers, acquisitions, intellectual property (trademark, trade dress and copyright), real estate, team structure compliance and mediation. Wynne is certified as a Trial Advocacy Teacher by the National Institute for Trial Advocacy (NITA) and licensed in Minnesota, Illinois, and Wisconsin. She recently served as the Mock Trial Chair for the Minnesota State Bar Association. Wynne has been named to the Minnesota Rising Stars list by Super Lawyers and Top Women Lawyer list by Minneapolis/St. Paul Magazine several times. She has also been selected as a Rising Young Professional by Finance & Commerce.

John Schulz, also a shareholder, will offer Family Law Services to Bassford Remele’s clients. John has extensive trial practice experience in family law, civil litigation, professional negligence matters, and service to businesses and professionals. He is licensed in Minnesota and Wisconsin. John is certified as a Family Trial Law Advocate by the National Board of Trial Advocacy and a Civil Trial Senior Specialist by the Minnesota State Bar Association. John is a past president of the Minnesota Association of Mediators and Conflict Resolution, Minnesota, now known as the Association for Conflict Resolution. Additionally, he has an AV Preeminent® rating by Martindale-Hubbell®, the highest rating for legal ability and ethical standards from members of the bar and judiciary, and has been selected to the Minnesota Super Lawyer list.

John Holper, a shareholder and experienced construction and real estate trial attorney, brings more than 30 years of experience representing commercial and residential owners, commercial landlords and tenants, lenders, business entities, developers, contractors, subcontractors, material suppliers, architects, and engineers. He is licensed in Minnesota and various federal district courts. John is included in The Best Lawyers in America and has been named to the Minnesota Super Lawyers list. He has an AV Preeminent® rating by Martindale-Hubbell®.

James Reece, a trial attorney, practiced at a large firm for more than 30 years, handling cases throughout the United States and abroad, before forming a firm with his daughter, Wynne Reece. Jim has represented clients in cases involving business disputes, personal injury, product liability, mass torts, industrial accidents, arson, antitrust, financial products, insurance coverage, professional liability, and real estate. He has represented several Fortune 500 companies on some of their most important and complex cases. Jim serves as outside corporate counsel and will also practice in our Corporate and Transactions group. He has helped many clients who do not have the funds to hire a lawyer through the Children’s Law Center of Minnesota, the Cardozo Society legal clinic, Volunteer Lawyers Network, and the Northside Clinic, which was started by Jim and his daughter, as well as many individuals separate from these organizations. Jim has an AV Preeminent® rating by Martindale-Hubbell® and has been recognized as a Minnesota Super Lawyer.

Randy Sparling practices in business and commercial law, as well as estate planning and administration. He has substantial experience representing clients in business acquisitions and dispositions, assisting clients in debt and equity financing transactions, and advising businesses regarding compliance with securities, financial institution, franchise and distribution regulations. Randy is president of the St. Paul Police K-9 Foundation and serves on the Minnesota State Bar Association High School Mock Trial Advisory Board. He has an AV Preeminent® rating by Martindale-Hubbell®.

Corporate and Transactions Services

• Data Privacy and Cybersecurity
• Employment Advice & Counseling
• Franchise Transactions
• General Corporate
• Outside Corporate Counsel
• Real Estate Transactions
• Regulatory Compliance
• Sale and Purchase Transactions

Family Law Services

• Marriage Dissolution
• Child Custody
• Child Support
• Parenting Time
• Spousal Maintenance
• Property Division
• Post-Dissolution
• Antenuptial and Postnuptial

“Our new colleagues bring extensive experience working with entrepreneurs, businesses, and individuals, and perfectly align with the Bassford Remele culture,” said Mark Whitmore, Bassford Remele’s Chief Executive Officer. “They are highly regarded in both the legal and business communities and will open new opportunities for the firm to service clients in more areas. Their addition reinforces Bassford’s long-standing tradition of excellence and professionalism. Further, bringing on lawyers with their status highlights the firm’s responsiveness in providing our clients the best possible legal advice and counsel to serve their important needs.”

From the conference room to the courtroom, Bassford Remele provides comprehensive counsel and representation in litigation and dispute resolution, family law, corporate matters, intellectual property, and buy-sell agreements, ensuring prompt and effective service for its clients.

Established in 1882, Bassford Remele is proud to be Minnesota’s oldest top-25 law firm.

Left to right: Randy Sparling, John Holper, Wynne Reece, James Reece, John Schulz