Blease & Zuccaro, LLP.

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PRACTICE AREAS -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Admiralty & Maritime We negotiate and prepare all maritime documentation including bareboat charter agreements, purchase documents and other sale and lease documents. We also litigate "red letter" clauses in commercial vessel repair agreements and other dry dock and repair issues. We have also handled several cases involving contractor's claims for services rendered to vessels, enforcement of maritime liens for necessaries and quality of workmanship disputes. Banking Blease & Zuccaro, LLP has represented several financial institutions in the defense of litigation matters pertaining to the financial industry. These matters have included disputes concerning payment, security transactions, factoring accounts, notes, mortgages, letters of credit and other financial transactions. We have also represented claimants concerning disputes regarding notes, mortgages, security transactions, letters of credit and international financial transactions. Business & Commercial Litigation We represent clients in a variety of matters related to business disputes. These include partnership and shareholder disputes, collection matters, unfair competition matters, employment litigation, vendor disputes, disputes with regulatory agencies, and many other generalized business disputes. Business Formation We routinely offer representation to our clients in the formation of partnerships, limited partnerships, limited liability partnerships, limited liability companies, corporations and other more complex legal entities. Claims Prevention & Planning We regularly counsel clients on ways to prevent costly claims in the business and construction industries. We conduct reviews of policies and procedures and analyze the inconsistencies and gaps in those policies and procedures. We assist our clients in developing streamlined methods and procedures to prevent costly claims. We also assist boards of directors in preparing vision statements and analyzing strengths and weaknesses in management structure and company practices. We offer full scale prevention counseling to many of our clients. Construction Documentation We have represented private developers, general contractors, subcontractors, cities, school districts and other governmental entities in the preparation and negotiation of construction documentation for hundreds of projects. We routinely offer advice and counseling to clients on insurance and indemnity issues, environmental regulatory issues, labor and employment issues and other “hot topics” of negotiation. As a full service construction firm, we offer services from “shovel to gavel”© assisting our clients in obtaining the proper construction documentation, releases, insurance requirements and regulatory compliance. Construction Litigation As a full service “shovel to gavel”© construction firm, we have handled all conceivable types of construction litigation over the years. In the beginning of the project, we have handled disputes relating to the acquisition or sale of real property, the obtaining of necessary regulatory permits, land use and zoning matters, and construction documentation litigation. During the construction of the project, we regularly counsel clients on matters pertaining to subcontractor disputes, vendor disputes, insurance disputes, accidents and safety issues, workers compensation disputes, payment disputes, regulatory disputes and design and/or engineering disputes. At the end of the project, we litigate mechanic’s lien claims, bond claims, surety claims and breach of contract claims in arbitration, as well as state and federal courts of law in more than half a dozen states throughout the United States. We also handle construction defect defense cases involving grading, civil and soils issues and all vertical trades. Although we generally are retained to be the primary representative of the client, we have also been retained to monitor, evaluate and make recommendations concerning litigation being primarily defended or prosecuted by other firms. We are a full service construction litigation firm. Eminent Domain (Condemnation) We regularly represent landowners whose property or property rights have been acquired by governmental entities for highway projects, redevelopment projects, or through other condemnation proceedings. We counsel clients in pre-condemnation planning, as well as throughout the condemnation and relocation process. We have litigated inverse condemnation issues, easement rights, development rights as well as full property takings. Employment Blease and Zuccaro, LLP has successfully represented both employers and employees in wrongful termination cases. We also regularly counsel clients on all matters relating to employment. Environmental Blease & Zuccaro, LLP has represented clients and counseled construction clients in matters pertaining to compliance with various regulatory environmental matters, including but not limited to CERCLA, NPDES permits, SWPPP plans, Clean Water Act issues, Clean Air Act issues and a host of other environmental issues. Insurance Blease & Zuccaro, LLP provides counseling and advice to our business and construction clients on a variety of insurance coverage matters. We provide full analysis and documentation for contractual risk transfer, as well as offering interpretations and opinions relating to insurance coverage issues for business, construction general liability and marine policies. We serve as personal counsel to the insured in construction defect litigation as well as defend our clients in the underlying litigation upon appointment of various insurance carriers. We routinely counsel clients concerning indemnification issues, additional insured endorsements, certificates of insurance and other matters related to the day-to-day operation of business and construction companies. International Litigation & Transactions We have negotiated and drafted international agreements pertaining to marine vessel purchases and sales, licensing of copyrights, bareboat charters, commercial and standby letters of credit and international sales of goods. We are familiar with the various bilateral and multilateral treaties that govern these areas. We have successfully represented businesses in complex international transactions including resorts, the purchase and sale of ocean going vessels and copyright licensing agreements. Jones Act We are well versed in the legal provisions of the Jones Act and its application to personal injury cases. We have represented clients in the prosecution and defense of Jones Act claims with various injuries and degrees of injury. We handle Longshoreman’s claims, DOSHA claims and all claims relating to crew injuries or deaths. Land Use & Zoning We regularly represent clients in land use acquisition and planning activities, including matters related to obtaining regulatory compliance for development, rezoning, permit issues and subdivision approval. We present the projects to regulatory bodies to obtain approvals and litigate issues when required. Marine Vessel Sales We have handled matters involving both commercial business and personal sales of vessels. We have represented creditors of vessels who have intervened in maritime foreclosure actions brought by Preferred Ship Mortgage holders. Personal Injury We regularly represent clients in serious cases involving injuries, including auto collisions, wrongful death, pedestrian accidents, motorcycle collisions, passenger injuries, premises liability, slip/trip and falls, dog bites, industrial accidents, farm accidents and defective products claims. We have experience in handling all degrees of injury cases, from the outset to resolution through settlement, arbitration, mediation or trial. We strive to provide the most complete legal representation for our clients, so that they can work toward the physical healing process without worrying about the legal details involved in pursuing their claims. There are no legal fees incurred in injury cases until we collect from the responsible party, and initial consultations are free. Real Estate Blease & Zuccaro, LLP regularly represents clients who are purchasing or selling real property. We prepare the sale documentation and handle all matters related to the closing. We also counsel clients on their real estate investments and on issues in managing real estate entities. Seminars We offer seminars to our client’s employees on topics related to the construction industry, including contractual risk transfer, contract administration, insurance issues, mechanic’s liens and bond claims, prompt payment, joint checks, contract interpretation, preliminary notices and other matters related to construction law. We educate employees to assist our clients in the avoidance of claims. Trucking & Transportation We have handled cases and litigation involving issues specific to the trucking and transportation industry. We are well versed in the financial, business and regulatory issues surrounding the movement of domestic and international cargo. Wills, Estates, Trusts & Probate We provide Minnesota clients with estate planning services, preparation of basic and revocable trusts, wills and probate estate administration.