Nicole R. Hittner

Nicole Hittner uses her financial background and over a decade of legal experience to assist a broad array of clients on business-critical matters. While Nicole focuses primarily on mergers, acquisitions, and divestitures for her clients, she also regularly provides ongoing counseling to companies on complex legal matters. Nicole is able to provide a unique perspective, incisive problem-solving, and practical advice.

Nicole counsels private equity firms and other businesses on deal documents, negotiating strategies, and day-to-day operations. She assists both buyers and sellers in a broad range of industries, including manufacturing, food, health care, and hospitality. Nicole serves as outside counsel to various private equity portfolio companies and provides ongoing advice with respect to contract drafting, negotiation, and general business matters. Previously, Nicole was with PricewaterhouseCoopers and is a CPA (inactive).

Nicole is committed to advancing the careers of women in the legal field. She co-chairs Ballard Women, which focuses on the recruitment, retention, and advancement of women at the firm. She previously chaired Lindquist's Women's Initiative, and she is actively involved in Women in Private Equity, a networking group for women in the private equity industry.

Representative Matters

• Ongoing representation of a lifestyle brand company which has offerings from athletic wear to extreme racing events
• Represented a large private equity client in several consecutive acquisitions of sole proprietorships in the medical field
• Assisted a private equity portfolio company in purchasing multiple dermatology practices across the United States
• Represented a group of individual buyers in a strategic acquisition of a hair salon and day spa
• Represented a snack food manufacturer in the sale of equity to a national private equity firm and, ultimately, to a strategic buyer in the packaged foods industry
• Represented a publicly-held company in its divestiture of a primary product line
• Represented a family-owned manufacturing company in a sale of the majority interest to a national private equity firm
• Ongoing representation of a large manufacturing company with day-to-day legal needs, including various contract drafting and negotiations matters and several acquisitions in multiple states
• Represented a newly formed LLC in the purchase of assets required to launch the business
• Represented a group of entrepreneurs in the purchase of a health club

Recognitions and Accomplishments

Named a 2019 Top Woman in Finance by Finance & Commerce

North Star Lawyer, Minnesota State Bar Association, 2009-present

Professional Activities

American Bar Association

Minnesota Bar Association

Hennepin County Bar Association

Volunteer Lawyers Network

ACG Minnesota

Minnesota Society of CPAs

Ballard Women, Co-Chair

Publications

"Allyship," Hennepin County Lawyer, February 2020

"Ballard Spahr pushes for more female equity partners," Philadelphia Business Journal, October 22, 2019

"Ballard Spahr pushes for more female equity partners, names local attorney to oversee effort," Minneapolis/St. Paul Business Journal, October 21, 2019

"Small Business Investment Companies – Fine Tuning a Vintage Investment Vehicle," Dealmaker Counsel, June 2011

"New Power-of-Attorney Legislation in New York," Dealmaker Counsel, December 2009

Speaking Engagements

Panelist, "Women in Law," University of Minnesota/WLSA, March 2019

"Business Law for Controllers & CFOs," MNCPA Management and Business Advisers Conference, June 2017

Panelist, "Table of Experts," Minneapolis-St. Paul Business Journal, May 2017

Moderator, "Access to Leadership Event," June 2015 and June 2016

Community Activities

Association of Corporate Growth Capital Connection, Planning Committee Member

Dakota County Conciliation Court, Referee, 2013-present

Minnesota Women Lawyers, 2008-present

North Star Lawyer, 2008-present

Myra Bradwell Award, Selection Committee Member, 2016

River Valley Girl Scouts of America, September 2015-present

Board Membership

Women of Nations, former Board Member

William Mitchell College of Law (now Mitchell Hamline School of Law) (J.D., magna cum laude, 2008)
Editorial Board, Law Review

New York University (B.S., magna cum laude, 2000)