Randy G. Gullickson
Attorney, Shareholder
Contact
90 South 7th Street3600 Wells Fargo Center
Minneapolis, MN 55402Google Map
P 612.492.8207
F 612.349.6996
rgullickson@anthonyostlund.com
Legal Administrative Assistant
Deanna J. Stower612.349.6969
dstower@anthonyostlund.com
Education
J.D., magna cum laude, University of Minnesota Law School
Hubert H. Humphrey Institute of Public Affairs, University of Minnesota
B.S., cum laude, University of South Dakota
Admissions
State of Minnesota
U.S. District of Minnesota
U.S. Eastern District of Michigan
U.S. 8th Circuit Court of Appeals
U.S. 6th Circuit Court of Appeals
Awards & Honors
Selected to the "Minnesota Super Lawyers" list by Super Lawyers, 2003 - 2005, 2007 - 2021
Selected to the "Top 100: Minnesota Super Lawyers" list by Super Lawyers, 2015, 2018
Selected to the “Top 40 Business Litigation Attorneys” list by Minnesota Law and Politics, 2009 - 2010
Recognized as a leading business litigator in Minnesota by Chambers USA, 2006 - 2007
Peer Reviewed as "AV® Preeminent™ 5.0" (highest possible rating), Martindale Hubbell
Phi Beta Kappa, University of South Dakota
Order of the Coif, University of Minnesota Law School
Randy Gullickson focuses his complex business litigation practice on resolving shareholder and ownership disputes in closely held corporations, partnerships, and limited liability companies.
Because of his significant litigation successes in these areas, Randy also has extensive experience advising businesses and their officers, directors, and shareholders on matters of corporate governance and related legal and business issues in an effort to avoid litigation.
Active in state and federal courts and in arbitration proceedings in Minnesota and throughout the country, Randy also represents clients in a broad range of other types of business disputes, including business valuation proceedings, banking matters, contract disputes, financial fraud, unfair competition claims, and employment matters.
As a result of his extensive work in shareholder and business valuation disputes, Randy was selected in 2017 to serve as a member of the Valuation Credentialing Board of the National Association of Certified Valuators and Analysts. The NACVA provides business valuation training and certification to certified public accountants and other business valuation professionals throughout the United States and internationally. Randy served on this Board until completion of his term in 2020.
Randy has lectured and written on topics involving shareholder rights, corporate governance, and business valuation issues. He has repeatedly been recognized by his peers and legal publications for his talent and results. Prior to joining Anthony Ostlund, Randy was a litigation partner at the 150-lawyer firm of Lindquist & Vennum, where he practiced for more than 13 years.
Randy is also active in alternative dispute resolution processes and is a Qualified Neutral under Rule 114 of the Minnesota General Rules of Practice.
Client Testimonial
"When confronted with a serious business dispute, Randy came highly recommended and exceeded our expectations. He kept us out of trouble and kept us focused on the end result we sought to achieve. With his guidance, our side of the dispute was clearly advantaged in understanding the issues and making them work for us. If anyone I know has a similar circumstance, I know where to send them."
--Brian Peterson, CPA, MBT
Experience
Shareholder Disputes
In numerous shareholder disputes, successfully negotiated favorable stock buy-outs for client shareholders. Examples include:
- Seven-figure buy-out of shareholder in distribution company
- High six-figure buy-out of shareholder in small manufacturing business
- Seven-figure buy-out of shareholder in manufacturing company
- Seven-figure buy-out of shareholder in technology company
Obtained judgment of over $850,000 following successful trial on behalf of a radiologist and shareholder in a local medical practice who was unfairly terminated and forced to give up ownership interest. The judgment was affirmed on appeal. (2019)
Recovered $8.4 million on behalf of an owner of a marketing and distribution company through settlement of litigation that arose after client was forced out of the company. (2018)
Obtained $320,000 Arbitration Award for Limited Liability Company asserting breach of fiduciary duty claim against an owner. (2017)
Successful defense and dismissal of shareholder claim against majority owner of restaurant business. (2011)
Along with Richard Ostlund, obtained a $24 million award, including interest and fees, from a Hennepin County Court in a shareholder deadlock/oppression case. (2005)
Obtained a defense verdict from a Hennepin County jury on behalf of a technology company sued by shareholder on seven-figure damage claims relating to stock ownership. (2001)
$130 Million Verdict
Along with Joseph Anthony, obtained verdict of over $130 million in a breach of contract and fiduciary duty case for the firm’s client, PDG P.A., following a month-long jury trial in Hennepin County District Court. (2007)
$141 Million Securities Verdict
Part of trial team that successfully obtained combined $141 million verdict from a New York federal jury following a six-week securities fraud trial. The verdict represented 100% of the investors’ loss plus interest. (2008)
Banking
Obtained $726,000 verdict from a Hennepin County jury on claims by Bank client for interference with a security interest in intellectual property of a defaulting customer. The award was for 100% of client’s loss. (2014)
Trust Litigation
Obtained summary judgment dismissing multimillion dollar negligence and breach of fiduciary duty claims against corporate trustee in American Arbitration Association proceeding. (2014)
Unfair Competition Defense
Obtained summary judgment for former Bank officer sued by former employer for unfair competition and solicitation of bank customers. (2012)
Contract Litigation
Obtained $360,000 settlement of Arbitration claim for former owners of a Minnesota resort in a sale of business contract dispute. (2017)
As part of an Anthony Ostlund trial team, obtained a $13.8 million dollar settlement on behalf of a Minnesota-based professional consulting firm responsible for storm disaster recovery efforts in New York following Hurricane Sandy from the State of New York and another contractor.
Community Involvement
Current member/volunteer and Past President and Executive Committee Chair, Normandale Lutheran Church, Edina, MN
Professional Affiliations
Qualified Neutral under Rule 114 of the Minnesota General Rules of Practice
Member, Hennepin County Bar Association
Member, Minnesota State Bar Association and its Private Business Governance Committee, Business Law Section, and Probate and Trust Law Section
Member, Federal Bar Association, Minnesota Chapter
Past Member of the Valuation Credentialing Board of the National Association of Certified Valuators and Analysts (NACVA)
Publications
Shareholder Dissension, Even Over Coffee, Attorney at Law Magazine, Minnesota Edition, May 2016
Corporate Inoculation For Director Conflicts of Interest, C-Level Magazine, Minnesota Edition, March 2016
Punitive Damages: Punishment for Bad-Acting Shareholders?, Attorney at Law Magazine, Twin Cities Edition, July 2015
Do Minority Shareholders Owe a Fiduciary Duty? It Depends, Attorney at Law Magazine, Twin Cities Edition, May 2014
Is “Fair Value” Really Fair?, Attorney at Law Magazine – Twin Cities Edition, April 2013
Developments in the Law of Corporate Divorce, The Rights and Remedies of Minority Shareholders, Business Law News, MSBA Business Law Section, July 2001
Speaking Engagements
2020 Probate & Trust Law Section Conference: Litigation and Estate Planning for Business Succession, Minnesota CLE, October 2020
Based on his representation of group dental practices in multiple states, Randy has spoken at multiple conferences, including the American Dental Association and Minnesota Dental Association, regarding the legal and contract issues that arise in relationships between dental practices and dental service organizations (DSOs).
26th Annual Business Valuation Conference: Business Valuation in Corporate Divorces: Is "Fair Value" Really Fair?, Sponsored by the University of St. Thomas, the American Society of Appraisers, and the Minnesota Association of Business Valuation Professionals, April 2016
14th Annual MNCPA Business Valuation Conference: Stop the Fighting: What You Must Know About Shareholder Disputes, Minnesota Society of Certified Public Accountants Business Valuation Conference, November 2014
11th Annual MNCPA Business Valuation Conference: Corporate Divorce: The Role of Business Valuation in Resolving Shareholder Disputes, Minnesota Society of Certified Public Accountants Business Valuation Conference, October 2011
Shareholder Buy/Sell Agreements, Minnesota State Bar Association (MN CLE), August 2011
Corporate Governance, Minnesota State Bar Association, Family and Closely Held Business Conference (MN CLE), August 2009
Litigating Shareholder Disputes, Minnesota State Bar Association, Family and Closely Held Business Conference (MN CLE), August 2008
Remedies: What Are We Fighting For?, Minnesota State Bar Association, Resolving Minority Shareholder Disputes (MN CLE), January 2008
Special Issues Involving Executives in Privately Held Companies: The Impact of Minority Shareholder Disputes, Minnesota State Bar Association, Advanced Executive (and Key Employee) Law (MN CLE), February 2007
Remedies: What Are We Fighting For?, Minnesota State Bar Association, Resolving Minority Shareholder Disputes (MN CLE), February 2005
Document Discovery (Formal and Otherwise) In Shareholder and Partnership Disputes, Minnesota Institute of Legal Education (MN CLE), March 2001
Document Discovery (Formal and Otherwise) in Shareholder and Partnership Disputes, Minnesota Institute of Legal Education (MN CLE), April 2000
Preventing and Managing Shareholder Disputes, Building and Preserving Value in Private and Family Businesses, Seminar by Eide Bailly LLP and Lindquist & Vennum PLLP, October 2000