Bryan Feldhaus ’06 J.D., ’15 LL.M. in Organizational Ethics and Compliance
In the 10 years since Bryan Feldhaus started working with Lommen Abdo (he got his start there the summer after his first year of law school), he’s had the opportunity to handle a number of interesting cases: from a partnership dispute with the music group Sugarland, to a case that helped free a St. Paul man from jail after a deadly accident with his faulty Toyota, and several successful federal and state appeals.
So why return to the classroom?
“Litigation is often reactive, and I view compliance as proactive,” Feldhaus said. “How do companies optimize risk and prevent a violation? Through this program, I’ll be able to better advise clients how to avoid problems in the future as well as manage problems that have occurred, which will increase the value to my clients. After all, attorneys are advocates, but we’re also counselors. We have to advocate for our clients’ rights and remedies in the courtroom, but also counsel clients on how to avoid legal problems.”
Taking advantage of an arrangement that allows alumni of the UST School of Law J.D. program to earn their LL.M. in Organizational Ethics and Compliance in less time, Feldhaus, now a shareholder with Lommen Abdo, sees the program as an opportunity to continue his professional development while tapping into one of the hottest areas of law and business today.
“Since I’ve been in the program, I’ve really enjoyed learning about the nuts and bolts of compliance and ethics programming, its importance in the current legal industry, and its growing significance in legal and business strategy,” Feldhaus said. “Clients appreciate that specialization because of the increased knowledge that goes with it. This program provides that increased knowledge and allows me to serve a growing niche in the legal industry.”
A “triple Tommie” – Feldhaus received his undergraduate degree, J.D. and will receive his LL.M. from the University of St. Thomas – he also recognizes the benefit of being on the forefront of a new endeavor.
“St. Thomas’ vision is spot on with this program, its training and the additional services that its graduates will be able to provide clients,” he said. “I spoke with a number of contacts and clients before enrolling in the LL.M. program, and each talked about how compliance is their biggest concern. Businesses are under increasing pressure to manage compliance concerns while advancing business objectives. At the end of the program, I’ll have the benefit of another year of professional training, and will be better positioned to serve my clients at the intersection of law, business and ethics.”
