Susan Markey
Partner
Overview
Susan Markey represents clients in general corporate, taxation, and nonprofit matters. She draws from a diverse background in government, accounting, and law to serve as a holistic business advisor, and strongly believes that tax and corporate advice should be both easy to understand and practical.
Susan finds great satisfaction in partnering with business owners to help make their dreams a reality. She regularly counsels clients on mergers and acquisitions, business formation, joint ventures, and general corporate matters—helping resolve legal distractions and remove obstacles that might otherwise get in the way of success. Her goal is to move businesses forward and give owners the assurance that their investment of hard work, time, and financial resources is secure.
Susan's expertise in tax law is key to this process, as good advisors need to understand tax to understand business. She frequently assists clients with tax controversies, audits, appeals, planning, and structuring, as well as researching tax law and drafting legal appeals and memoranda.
In addition to her corporate work, Susan is passionate about assisting nonprofit organizations that serve the community. Her deep experience in business and tax issues uniquely positions her to counsel nonprofits toward sustainable long-term success.
A firm believer in advancing the profession, Susan regularly writes and presents on corporate topics. Most recently, she has presented continuing legal education (CLE) seminars on ownership disputes in closely held businesses, advanced tax strategies for M&A deals, and strategic risk assessment for complex commercial transactions.
In her spare time, Susan enjoys creative hobbies, from sewing and cooking to refinishing furniture.
Experience
- Represented one of Minnesota's most prominent business persons in ongoing estate planning, nonprofit, and general tax planning matters.
- Represented Tactacam in its sale to Bertram Capital, which allows the company to grow and develop its business enabling outdoor sports enthusiasts and landowners to track, monitor, and protect property and game.
- Represented Randy’s Environmental Services, a mid-sized leading family owned and operated waste management company in the Midwest, in its acquisition by Republic Services.
- Represented QXMedical, LLC, a medical device manufacturing company, in its acquisition of Embomedics, LLC, a developer of resorbable embolization.
- Represented Crane Engineering, Inc., in its sale of stock to Engineering Services, Inc.
- Represented The Burchfield Group, Inc., a company that provides pharmacy benefits consulting, in its acquisition by Aon Consulting, Inc.
- Represented Stellar Technologies, Inc., a medical device manufacturer, in its sale to Cirtec Medical.
- Represented Blackburn Investment Management: Acquisition of Six Boutique North Shore Resort Properties.
- With respect to tax matters, has represented individuals and entities in contested tax disputes involving income tax, gift tax, estate tax, and sales tax.
Pro Bono
- Represented the Synod of Lakes and Prairies of the Presbyterian Church (USA) to form the Restorative Actions trust and complete related legal work connected to its approval for tax exemption.
- Project N95: Provided pro bono counsel to a group of volunteers from across the country when they joined forces to create Project N95—a dynamic nonprofit organization serving as a national clearinghouse to source crucial suppliers in order to serve healthcare providers at the front lines of the COVID-19 crisis.
- Formation of numerous nonprofits and qualification for IRS tax exempt status.
- Ongoing consultation and advice about governance and exemption issues.
Honors
Ranked in Chambers USA: America's Leading Lawyers for Business, Corporate/M&A, 2024
Top Women in Law, Minnesota Lawyer, 2024 (Minnesota Lawyer's Top Women in Law class celebrates the outstanding achievements of women in the legal community in Minnesota.)
The Power List: Mergers & Acquisitions, Minnesota Lawyer, 2025
Notable Women in Law, Twin Cities Business, 2023
North Star Lawyer, Minnesota State Bar Association, 2016-2021 (North Star Lawyer is a designation that recognizes members who provide 50 hours or more of pro bono legal services in a calendar year.)