Kathleen Smith Ruhland

Partner

kathleen.ruhland@FaegreBD.com
Direct: +1 612 766 7629
Minneapolis Office
2200 Wells Fargo Center
90 S. Seventh Street

Minneapolis, Minnesota 55402-3901

Contact Information


kathleen.ruhland@FaegreBD.com2200 Wells Fargo Center
90 S. Seventh Street
Minneapolis, Minnesota 55402-3901
T: +1 612 766 7629
F: +1 612 766 1600

Education

William Mitchell College of Law
J.D., magna cum laude (1995)
University of St. Thomas
B.A., cum laude (1984)

Bar Admissions

Minnesota

Kathleen Smith Ruhland

Partner

Kathy Ruhland, co-chair of the Faegre Baker Daniels international practice, advises clients on cross-border transactions, including international M&A, restructuring, and joint ventures, in established and emerging markets throughout the world. She splits her time between the firm's Minneapolis and the London offices.

Recognized by third parties for providing superior client service, Kathy advises a number of world-leading corporations. Her recent work includes transactions in the Middle East and Europe, as well as India, Hong Kong, and China.

In addition to her experience with Faegre Baker Daniels, Kathy previously served as in-house counsel for General Mills. She is also a former certified public accountant with Big Four firm experience.

Kathy advises privately and publicly held companies in the following areas:

Mergers, Acquisitions and Divestitures. Advises companies in various industries in complex cross-border transactions which often involve multiple jurisdictions. Effective in project management, communicating with and directing large teams of lawyers and accountants to assist clients in structuring, negotiating, implementing and closing international transactions.

Joint Ventures and Strategic Alliances. Advises companies in negotiating, structuring, operating and exiting international equity joint venture arrangements, licensing, distribution and manufacturing agreements, collaborative marketing arrangements and other strategic alliances.

Post-Acquisition Integration and Restructurings. Advises companies on post-acquisition restructurings including significant experience in principal/commissionaire structures, complex reorganizations, Canadian amalgamations and other internal restructurings.

Cross-Border Investment. Advises companies regarding the international legal and tax aspects of the establishment of branch and subsidiary operations, setting up manufacturing operations, and managing complex cross-border corporate reorganizations and restructurings worldwide.

International Compliance. Advises U.S. multinationals on compliance issues under U.S. laws affecting cross-border transactions including the Office of Foreign Control Sanctions Programs, anti-boycott legislation and the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA).

Global Tax Planning. Advises companies on international tax matters in connection with international transactions, reorganizations and other international tax planning matters.

International Managing Counsel. Assists companies with management of their international business transactions by identifying international legal and tax issues, selecting local country counsel, managing communications and serving as liaison between clients and various service providers.

Certifications

  • Certified Public Accountant, 1986 (currently inactive)

Media Mention

Kathy was recently interviewed and profiled in St. Thomas, a magazine published by the University of St. Thomas. The article "Kathy Smith Ruhland '84 Helps Businesses Go Global" highlights Kathy's international M&A experience and her work on several large international transactions for many of the firm's multinational clients.

Honors

  • One of 176 lawyers nationwide named to BTI Client Service All-Star Team for Law Firms 2009

Professional Associations

  • World Law Group Board of Directors, Americas region director

Civic Activities

  • Friends of Children Foundation Board of Directors, president
  • Minnesota International Center Board of Directors
  • Mitchell in the World Advisory Committee 

Presentations

  • Integration: Strategies to Maximize the Value of Your Investment
    Panelist, 2011 M&A Conference
  • International M&A Transactions, Panelist
    Business Law Institute (2011)
  • Doing Business in Frontier Emerging Markets, Southeast Asia Panelist
    International Business Law Institute (2011)
  • Doing Business with France: 2011 Business Symposium
    Moderator, CEO Panel Discussion with Ken Powell of General Mills and Hubert Joly of Carlson
    Minnesota International Center (2011)
  • International Markets: Globalization of the Production Food System
    Food, Agriculture & Biofuels 2010 National Conference, Minneapolis (2010)
  • Creating World-Class Companies in Emerging Markets
    Opening session moderator, Faegre & Benson International Business Briefing (2010)
  • Regulatory Considerations in International M&A
    Co-presenter, 2009 International Business Law Institute, Minnesota State Bar Association
  • International Aspects of M&A Deals
    Panel moderator, 2009 M&A Conference
  • Presentations on Global Restructuring, International Joint Ventures, International Compliance and International M&A
    Faegre & Benson International Business Briefing, Minneapolis and Denver (2006–2008 and 2010)
  • Pitfalls (and Opportunities!) of Doing Business Internationally
    2008 Business Law Institute, Minnesota State Bar Association

Legal Updates

  • Global Agreements: Thinking of Exporting? It Pays to Think About International Contracts First.
    Minnesota Technology (2006)

Related Practices

Antitrust & Trade Regulation
Antitrust Litigation
Business & Corporate Services
Cross-Border & International Transactions
Litigation & Advocacy
Mergers & Acquisitions
Regulatory

Related Industries

Food & Agriculture
Health Care
Life Sciences
Manufacturing & Industrials
Retail

Education

William Mitchell College of Law
J.D., magna cum laude (1995)
University of St. Thomas
B.A., cum laude (1984)

Legal Updates

06-January-2011 - 2011 Resolutions: Putting Your Global Corporate Structure to Work for You
12-October-2010 - ECJ Decision in Akzo Nobel: Missed Opportunity to Extend In-House Privilege

News

28-May-2010 - Kathleen Smith Ruhland to Serve as World Law Group Regional Director
25-May-2010 - InsideCounsel Recognizes Faegre & Benson for Women in Leadership and Key Committee Roles
15-January-2009 - Kathleen Smith Ruhland Recognized for Superior Client Service

Bar Admissions

Minnesota

Events

11-October-2011 - 2011 M&A Conference

Representative Transactions

Represented Graco in Agreement to Acquire ITW Finishing Business

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