Robert R. Fafinski, Jr.
Shareholder and CEOPhone: (952) 995-9500
Bob's assistant:
Download Robert R. Fafinski Jr's biography (84K PDF)
Whether a Fortune 500 executive, a CEO of an airline or an entrepreneur in a start-up business, clients are proud to call Bob Fafinski their lawyer, their confidante and their friend. "Forging friendships with clients has many benefits," says Bob. "By understanding clients and their businesses, I believe I can be a better advisor and help them make the most of their business opportunities."
Bob's expertise and his innate abilities to work with diverse groups of people have guided the success of hundreds of companies. "I emphasize practicality in my advice and negotiations," he says. "I understand the global goals of my clients and implement them in workable solutions."
Bob has been practicing law since 1983 in the areas of corporate law, corporate finance, aviation, equipment leasing, mergers and acquisitions and the representation of professional associations. Prior to founding Fafinski Mark & Johnson, he served as chair of the Business Law Department and on the management committee of one of Minnesota's largest law firms.
He has consistently been honored by peers as a "Super Lawyer" since 1998 - an honor given to only the top lawyers in Minnesota. His peers have also named him a "Leading American Attorney"; he has been named one of the top 25 business lawyers in the state and he has been designated one of the world's leading commercial aviation attorneys by a respected international aviation journal.
"Co-founding FMJ has been one of the most rewarding accomplishments of my career. I now understand what my clients go through. Being an entrepreneur has made me a better counselor."
Education:
University of St. Thomas (BA cum laude 1979)William Mitchell College of Law (JD 1983)
State Bar Admissions:
Minnesota State Bar (1983)Federal Bar Admissions:
US District Court, District of Minnesota (1983)US Court of Appeals, Eighth Circuit (1983)
Professional Memberships and Associations:
Non-Profit Involvements:
Holy Family Catholic High School - Member of the Board of Directors from 2004-2010. Chair of successful capital campaign which raised over $12,000,000 in cash, gifts and debt reduction for the school
Executive Board Member and Chair of Advancement Committee for Common Hope, a Minnesota based non-profit which provides the resources for 2,700 children to attend school each year in 17 villages in Guatemala
HEART - former member of the Board of Directors and Vice President
Other Involvements:
CEO and Member of the Board of Directors Fafinski Mark & Johnson 1999 - present
Member of Board of Directors and Executive Loan Committee of Venture Bank, a business bank located in the Twin Cities from 2001 - present
Member of Board of Advisors of Baview Capital, a $125mm SBIC leveraged investment fund from 2006 - present
Member of Legatus, forum for Catholic CEO's
Member of International Society of Transport Aircraft Trading
Member, Hazeltine National Golf Course, Chaska, MN
Legal counsel to Hazeltine National Golf Course for 2009 PGA Tournament
Practice Areas:
Corporate FinanceGeneral Corporate & Business
Mergers & Acquisitions
Commercial Aviation
Practice Philosophy:
"My clients are my friends. By understanding their business, I can be a better advisor and help them make the most of their business opportunities. I emphasize practicality in my advice and negotiations. I understand the global goals of my client and implement them in workable solutions."The Rest of the Story:
Bob and his wife Mary are busy raising four children in hopes of each one becoming a productive and compassionate adult. Their oldest son, Rob, is a First Lieutenant in the United States Marine Corps and has been deployed to Afghanistan as an infantry platoon commander. Katie, Joey and Kevin ("Booey") are in various stages of secondary and post-secondary education. Bob has always been a die-hard Bruce Springsteen fan, but recently, at the urging of his kids, has discovered country music and now lists George Strait, Toby Keith and Alan Jackson among his favorites. His "discovery" of country music explains the recent purchase of a black Chevy pick-up truck. Bob is also a fan of all Minnesota sports teams, especially the Minnesota Twins. He just recently overcame a lifelong addiction to the Chicago Cubs. Bob has never fully recovered from the childhood experience of watching the '69 Cubs fade to the Mets, and now, as an adult, has had to cope with the tragic collapse of the 2003 Cubs to the Florida Marlins, the disappointment of the 2007 Cubs, the fizzle of the 2008 Cubs, etc., etc. (you get the idea).