Minneapolis/Saint Paul Business Journal Names Partner Thomas Braun Among its 2024 ‘40 Under 40’

MINNEAPOLIS, Minn.—Stoel Rives LLP is pleased to announce the Minneapolis/Saint Paul Business Journal has selected partner Thomas Braun for its 2024 “40 Under 40” list, which honors rising stars under age 40 in the local business community. Winners will be featured in Minneapolis/Saint Paul Business Journal’s “40 Under 40 Award” publication and honored at an awards celebration on March 21^st at the Metropolitan Ballroom & Clubroom in Golden Valley. More information on the event can be found here.

Now in its 31^st year, the award celebrates young business leaders in the 24-county Twin Cities metro area who have “distinguished themselves in their companies, their communities, and their industries.”

An environmental attorney based in Stoel Rives’ Minneapolis office and co-leader of the firmwide Contaminated Sites Working Group, Braun is one of Minnesota’s leading attorneys in brownfield redevelopment and a legal thought leader on “forever chemicals.” In his practice, he advises developers and municipalities to manage, clean up, and develop contaminated properties and restore them to productive, environmentally safe, and sustainable commercial and community use.

Braun has also helped multiple clients resolve enforcement actions brought by governmental regulators, including the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and Minnesota Pollution Control Agency. He helps clients resolve current enforcement actions and develop new or modify existing plans and policies to avoid future enforcement actions.

Braun has a robust renewable energy practice, serving as environmental counsel on solar projects for M&A and financing transactions and advising solar developers in project siting, permitting, and development. He is sought out as counsel for solar projects sited on landfills, combining his brownfield redevelopment and renewable energy expertise.

In addition to his legal practice, Braun is active in several high-impact environmental organizations, including serving on the Board of Great River Greening and as an organizer and judge for the ReScape Awards, Minnesota Brownfields’ program recognizing innovative projects addressing brownfield redevelopment challenges statewide.

Best Lawyers^® named Braun among The Best Lawyers in America^® (Environmental Law, Land Use and Zoning Law) in 2023 and 2024.