James's Bio

Cultivating relationships is not the bedrock principle for most law practices, but for Jim Seifert’s practice, this approach is fundamental. As an accomplished attorney and executive with a rich and diverse background in business strategy and ethics, Jim addresses his clients’ issues with savvy, sophisticated, and sound business judgment. He has been practicing for over 30 years and his career has regularly focused on manufacturing and technology.

Jim is the head of FMJ’s Manufacturing practice group and a Shareholder in the General Corporate & Business and Mergers & Acquisitions groups. He has extensive experience in domestic and cross-border transactions, sophisticated financings, intellectual property, litigation, board governance, and risk management. He is also recognized nationally for creative approaches to resolving litigation outside the traditional litigation process and has a deep knowledge of global regulatory, safety/health/environmental, and government relations operations.

Before joining FMJ, Jim was an in-house attorney with five public companies, Assistant General Counsel at American Hoist and Derrick, Assistant General Counsel at The Toro Company, General Counsel and Corporate Secretary at The Tennant Company, General Counsel and Corporate Secretary at Bemis Company, and most recently, Executive Vice President, General Counsel, and Secretary of Ecolab, Inc. He attended the University of Notre Dame as an undergraduate and received his Juris Doctor from Creighton University. He also has a Master of Science degree from the University of St. Thomas School of Engineering in Manufacturing Systems and earned a Master of Public Health Degree from the University of Minnesota in May of 2019.

Jim is also a tremendous asset to the state of Minnesota. He has served on the Humphrey School of Public Affairs Advisory Board, TPT – Twin Cities PBS Board, and in the Minnesota House of Representatives. He is currently a Board Member of Nuvera, Inc., a public telecommunications company, where he chairs the Governance Committee and is a member of the Audit Committee.

University of Notre Dame (BA)
Creighton University (JD)
University of St. Thomas, School of Engineering (MS)
University of Minnesota (MPH)

Minnesota
Wisconsin

  • United States Patent Attorney, Reg. #50179
  • Minnesota State Bar Association, Member
  • Wisconsin State Bar Association, Member

  • Science Museum of Minnesota, Vice Chair (2016) and Board Member (2010-2017)
  • Twin Cities Public Television, Chair of Government Relations Committee and Board Member (2010-2016)
  • Humphrey School of Public Affairs – University of Minnesota, Dean’s Advisory Board (2005-2014)
  • Minnesota Job Skills Partnership, Board Member (2002-2010)
  • Minnesota House of Representatives, First Term Legislator of the Year (1991-2001)

“I am focused on the profitable and sustainable growth of business clients. Legal services complement those goals when they are timely, practical, and effective.”

News About James

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March 2024

Minnesota’s New “Right to Repair” Law

Jim Seifert analyzes this new law and discusses how manufacturers can protect their IP and protect against potential liability claims for incorrect repairs. Read more

March 2024

Jim Seifert and Nate Snyder to Present Webinar Regarding Right to Repair

Jim and Nate will present to the International Safety Equipment Association on March 14, 2024. Read more

November 2023

Q3 Transactions – Corporate and M&A

2023 Third Quarter Closings! Read more

September 2023

Natolie Hochhausen and Jim Seifert Featured in the Fall 2023 Edition of Enterprise Minnesota Magazine

Natolie Hochhausen and Jim Seifert were recently interviewed and featured in the Fall 2023 edition of Enterprise Minnesota Magazine. Please click here to read... Read more

August 2023

With Caution, Leverage Minnesota’s “Right to Repair” Law in Your Manufacturing Operation

Manufacturing Attorney Jim Seifert analyzes the Minnesota Right to Repair law for Manufacturers as purchasers of equipment. Read more

August 2023

Q2 Transactions – Corporate and M&A

FMJ recently closed a very busy second quarter for 2023! Here are a sample of our transactions from Q2. Read more

June 2023

Chambers USA Selects FMJ for 2023 Corporate/M&A Ranking in Minnesota!

We are excited to announce that Chambers and Partners, a leading guide for identifying the top attorneys and law firms, has selected Fafinski Mark... Read more

April 2023

Q1 Transactions – 2023 is off to a Great Start for FMJ!

FMJ is off to a great start in 2023! Our Mergers & Acquisitions, Real Estate, Banking & Financial Institutions, and General Corporate & Business practice groups have handled... Read more

March 2023

Top Five Contract Strategies to Consider Right Now

Many of our business clients, including manufacturers, are looking ahead and strategizing for a potential economic downturn.  If the economy declines, there are a... Read more

March 2023

So, You Want to Host a Major Sporting Event?

With the men’s and women’s college basketball seasons reaching their apex, and national champions soon to be crowned, many sports fans may be surprised... Read more

January 2023

Smart Moves to Make Before a Potential Recession

Enterprise Minnesota recently published its State of Manufacturing survey results for 2022. You can learn more about the survey here. The survey shows that manufacturers are becoming increasingly... Read more

January 2023

2022 Corporate Transactions Summary

Thank you for making 2022 another great year for FMJ’s Corporate and Business Practice Groups! Our Mergers & Acquisitions, Real Estate, Banking & Financial Institutions, and General... Read more

November 2022

FMJ Manufacturing Team to Attend Enterprise Minnesota’s State of Manufacturing Event on November 15, 2022

Please join FMJ’s Manufacturing Team at the Enterprise Minnesota State of Manufacturing annual event on Tuesday, November 15, 2022. Attendees will learn about the... Read more

October 2022

Corporate Transactions 2022 – Third Quarter

We are continuing to have a busy year. In the third quarter, our Mergers & Acquisitions, Real Estate, Banking & Financial Institutions, and General Corporate & Business practice groups handled... Read more

August 2022

Nate Snyder – From the Gridiron to Outside General Counsel   

While Nate Snyder is new to FMJ – having joined the firm in April 2022 – he has spent the last eight years becoming... Read more