Robert's Bio

Rob Fafinski practices in the Mergers & Acquisitions and General Corporate & Business Practice Groups at FMJ. Rob represents both financial and strategic buyers in acquisitions, and he has represented dozens of companies on the sell-side. Rob helps companies, including portfolio companies of buy-side clients, in their day-to-day legal needs. Rob also focuses on helping self-funded search fund operators navigate and close their entrepreneurship through acquisition (ETA) deals. Rob enjoys ETA transactions and founder-led sell-side deals because of the teaching and coaching opportunities unique to those transactions.

A client endorsed Rob after a recent eight-figure, international deal saying, “I’m so grateful to Rob. He made the process approachable. He went above-and-beyond . . . and was always available and accessible. I couldn’t be more impressed and couldn’t recommend him more . . . and he was perfectly on budget.”

Clients like working with Rob because he is never afraid to pick up the phone to keep a deal moving toward closing. After working as a Marine Corps infantry officer commanding platoons and a company on multiple, austere combat deployments to Afghanistan during 2009, 2010, and 2011, Rob understands true leadership challenges. Clients recognize this in Rob and use him as a sounding board and adviser.

Marquette University (BA)
University of St. Thomas School of Law (JD)

Minnesota
United States District Court for the District of Minnesota

  • Parish Pastoral Council of Guardian Angels Catholic Church, Member
  • Knights of Columbus
  • The Dave Lano Scholarship, Member (2018-Present)
  • Common Hope, Amigos de Amigos Advisory Board, Member (2017-2020)
    • Common Hope works on education, healthcare, housing, and family development in Antigua, New Hope, and San Rafael, Guatemala.
  • St. Arnold’s Club, Incarnation/Sagrada Corazon de Jesus Catholic Church (2015-2019)

University of St. Thomas School of Law – Transactional v. Litigation v. Non-Traditional – What Does it All Mean, and What Career Paths Are Out There? (February 2024)

University of Minnesota – Carlson School of Management Conference – Entrepreneurship Through Acquisition (ETA) (November 2023)

The Price Escalation Clause: A Manufacturer’s Refuge for Uncertain Supply Chains,” FMJ Newsroom (December 2021)

Taking It One Day at a Time: Mergers and Acquisitions Activity, Market Volatility, and COVID-19,” FMJ Newsroom (April 2020)

  • Super Lawyers – Rising Star
  • Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch® in America
  • 2024 Notable Military Veterans (Twin Cities Business)

“I approach my practice by striving to embody some of the same traits required of a successful Marine infantry leader: judgment, dependability, initiative, decisiveness, knowledge, and loyalty. When working on transactions, I eat, sleep, and breathe the deal until it’s closed.”

Rob lives along the Minnesota Valley National Wildlife Refuge and spends free time kayaking, bow hunting, reading, hiking, and weightlifting. Rob and his wife Ali have three daughters and two sons.

News About Robert

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February 2026

Cortney Buesgens and Rob Fafinski Featured in Holy Family HS Alumni Magazine

Cortney and Rob attended the same high school in Victoria, Minnesota. Read more

August 2025

18 FMJ Attorneys Selected for the 2026 Best Lawyers and Ones to Watch Lists

Congratulations on this well-deserved honor! Read more

July 2025

Minnesota Monthly Selects 11 FMJ Attorneys for the 2025 Top Lawyers List

Congratulations to these 11 attorneys across 9 practice areas! Read more

July 2025

FMJ Attorneys Named to the 2025 Super Lawyers and Rising Stars Lists!

Congratulations to these 12 attorneys, and thank you for another excellent year. Read more

June 2025

FMJ Selected for Multiple 2025 Chambers and Partners Rankings!

FMJ is ranked on the USA-Minnesota Corporate/M&A list and the USA-Nationwide Aviation Transactions list! Read more

March 2025

Utilizing Price Escalation Clauses to Navigate Tariffs, Rising Costs, and Economic Changes

This is a powerful tool that can help provide some certainty for businesses. Read more

March 2025

Potential Considerations for Federal Immigration Enforcement Actions and I-9 Audits

Is your organization prepared for a possible visit from ICE or Customs agents? Read more

March 2025

Corporate Closings!

Spring 2025 Read more

October 2024

Rob Fafinski Selected for 2024 Notable Military Veteran Honors

Congratulations to Rob on this well-deserved honor! Read more

August 2024

16 FMJ Attorneys Recognized on the 2025 Best Lawyers Lists!

Please click here to learn more about this honor. Read more

July 2024

15 FMJ Attorneys Named as Super Lawyers or Rising Stars

Congratulations to our 2024 Super Lawyers and Rising Stars! Read more

June 2024

The Anatomy of a Deal – FMJ Law Podcast Episode 21

Are you interested in buying or selling a business? This episode breaks down the considerations involved one step at a time. Read more

June 2024

Chambers and Partners Selects FMJ for Multiple 2024 Rankings!

FMJ is excited to announce its 2024 Chambers rankings for Corporate/M&A and Aviation! Read more