Spencer Fane, a beacon of legal excellence

By Susan Cushing

Spencer Fane is more than just a firm of lawyers. It’s also a center for legal excellence and customer-focused service. Spencer Fane, founded in Missouri in 1952 has a long history of providing clients with excellent legal representation. With 23 offices across the country, Spencer Fane has become a trusted partner for clients in a variety of practice areas, including corporate law and litigation.

This firm’s unbroken streak of double-digit growth is a testament to its virtually unprecedented success. It reached an impressive 10-year streak in 2022. This is the result of the firm’s unwavering dedication to innovation, excellence and client service.

Spencer Fane has continued its impressive growth trajectory in 2023. The firm was once again recognized in June as one of AmLaw 200’s fastest-growing law firms. This recognition confirms the firm’s commitment to providing high-quality legal services, and its ability navigate a rapidly evolving legal landscape.

Each individual has a great deal of freedom to develop their own practice and become the type of lawyer they desire.

Twin Cities Triumph

Spencer Fane, which opened its first downtown Minneapolis office in 2019, has risen to the top of this legal corridor. The Twin Cities are home to this nationally-recognized firm, thanks to the exceptionally talented and experienced attorneys like Randi Winter. Jessica Nelson. Kimberly Slay. and Karen Olson.

These gifted professionals have contributed to the continued success of the firm with their exceptional skills, and commitment to make a positive difference.

Nelson says that the growth of our firm over the past decade is due to the fact that we have studied and identified where clients’ legal needs are. We carefully select and screen the best people to join our law firm.

Olson says, “It is important to note that growth was not just for the sake of growth.” “It was a growth that made sense to the firm, the practice area and its people.”

The firm also places a conscious focus on recruiting people who can contribute to diversity. The firm recently merged into a Californian firm, which contributes to diversity and expands geographical reach on the West Coast.

Set Goals

The firm’s success, both locally and nationally, is largely due to a concerted attempt to set specific goals. The team can build their client base and pool of talented attorneys with a clear plan.

Olson says that one of the goals is to recruit talent for each department in the local office. “There is an effort to round-out the different practice areas. We recently hired a patent prosecutor and a real-estate partner, recognizing that our clients’ needs were being met and selecting the best people to fill them. Each new member must share our values and contribute positively to our office culture.

What is the culture of your office?

Nelson says, “It’s first and foremost a culture of collegiality.” Our senior partners often talk about the importance of humility. All the people in this office are also very nice. Everyone is respectful and kind to one another, creating a positive environment. “Everyone is willing to assist, and egos are not a factor at all, regardless of how talented or successful an individual may be.

Winter adds, “People are first.” “Whether it means respecting that we all have lives outside the office, or being kind and respectful towards one another. When you have a positive culture, it will filter through to our clients.

Women Leaders

What brought these women to Spencer Fane?

Winter says, “I, Jessica, Don Heeman and our managing partner were the three first attorneys to join Spencer Fane in the Twin Cities. We opened the Minneapolis office on January 1, 2019.” We were all attracted to the growth and success that Spencer Fane has already achieved. What made it different, at least to me, was the sincerity of the people in Spencer Fane when I spoke with them about coming over. They lived up to the values that they claimed they held. Spencer Fane is a Midwest-based firm that has Midwest values. Our core values include humility, inclusion and collaboration. “I was attracted to these values and excited to be able scale up what I had previously, which was an employment and commercial litigation firm based in Minnesota.

Nelson adds, “I also appreciate the firm’s deliberate, strategic and measured growth and its constant improvement.” You could tell this was a company that studied our clients’ needs constantly. The firm is always studying the legal market, and asking the question “how can we better serve our clients?’ This is a firm that you would want to join because they are constantly trying to improve.”

Slay adds, “I appreciate the freedom I have to build my own practice.” Slay says, “I appreciate the freedom to choose where and how to market my own practice and to retain clients that I wish to represent.” The management trusts us with making smart decisions about client intake. Also, I enjoy working with the attorneys in each of our 23 offices. My colleagues are intelligent, great attorneys, and humble. “It was obvious to me that I would like to work with these people every day.”

The women spoke about the flexibility of the firm, especially in terms of how they have grown individual practices and their ability to use personal marketing budgets as they choose.

Nelson describes the environment as “very entrepreneurial”. There’s freedom for every individual to be the type of lawyer they want and build the practice that suits them.

Diversity in Action

Everyone seems to be talking about diversity these days, but what exactly does it mean and how can we see this in the Spencer Fane office? This firm does not use words like diversity, equality or inclusion as a slogan. It is deliberate to create a firm with people who represent virtually all aspects of the spectrum.

Olson says, “Diversity is a broad term that can include gender, race and even the way someone grew up, such as whether they grew up in rural or urban areas, poverty or wealth. We welcome diversity because it offers so many perspectives.

Slay explains that “Spencer Fane is a master at putting people of diverse backgrounds into key positions.” You’ll see that the executive committee has two African American women. People of color are in charge of practice sections. We don’t just believe in diversity; we live it.”

The commitment to excellence, diversity and growth has not been overlooked. The American Lawyer has shortlisted the firm as the Best Law Office of the Year. Spencer Fane’s outstanding contribution to the legal field and commitment to client satisfaction is what makes it a worthy candidate for this award. Its ability to adapt to changing client needs, to attract top talent and to maintain its growth momentum are all indicators of the firm’s success in Minneapolis.

Karen Olson

Kimberly Slay

Randi Winter

Jessica Nelson