Godfrey & Kahn, S.C. is proud to announce the opening of our newest office in Eau Claire, Wisconsin. Located in the western part of Wisconsin, Eau Claire was ranked #28 by Livability’s 2020 Top Places to Live in America for its growing economy, affordable living and access to four-season outdoor activities. Eau Claire has all the hallmarks of a fast-growing small city, from a dynamic business community to thriving arts, trendy restaurants, modern hotels and new living spaces. The expansion into this exciting new market furthers our ability to serve clients and helps support and grow the region’s business community.
The firm’s new office is now home to attorney Mark Skolos, who originally joined the firm’s Milwaukee office in Fall 2021. Mark brings over 35 years of experience in complex commercial transactions, land use, development and energy related matters. Joining this week are attorneys Garrett Nix and Dustin Von Ruden and their team, all previously with the firm Von Ruden Nix, S.C. Garrett specializes in the areas of estate planning and general corporate law. Dustin specializes in real estate and general corporate law.
The new office joins the firm’s four existing offices across Wisconsin and its Washington, D.C. location.
About Mark Skolos
From the time of its IPO in 2012 and through 2020, Mark served as General Counsel, Secretary and Chief Compliance officer of Hi-Crush Inc. a publicly traded mining company based in Houston, Texas. In that role, he was chief legal advisor to upper management and the board of directors on a wide spectrum of matters. Mark offers an extraordinarily broad base of experience in matters of public company corporate governance, regulatory compliance, mergers and acquisitions, complex litigation, real estate permitting and development as well as contract negotiation and drafting involving the world’s largest companies in the oil field service and E & P industries. In addition, Mark acted as head of the environmental team responsible for EMS development, compliance and interaction with the regulatory community in multiple jurisdictions across the United States.
About Garrett Nix
With a focus on business, real estate and estate planning practice areas, Garrett is experienced in providing a range of legal services. He also serves as general counsel to several businesses, assisting with business formation, mergers and acquisitions, and day-to-day operational issues. In addition to his business and transactional practice, he provides counsel to individuals on matters relating to estate planning, including the preparation of wills, trusts, and related documents. While Garrett provides services to all types of estate planning clients, he has a focus on assisting clients with business succession planning, including farming clients and small business owners looking to transition to the next generation.
About Dustin Von Ruden
Dustin represents clients in a wide range of real estate development, business transaction, financing, contract and general corporate governance matters. He devotes an extensive amount of his practice to all phases of commercial real estate development and transactions, including sales and acquisitions, leasing, financing, property management, construction, zoning and land use, and entity formation matters.