Stoel Rives Names Laurie Huotari Minneapolis Office Managing Partner

MINNEAPOLIS, Minn.—Stoel Rives LLP, an AmLaw 200 firm, announced today that Laurie Huotari was named office managing partner of the firm’s Minneapolis office, effective Jan. 1. As office managing partner, Huotari is responsible for the day-to-day management of the office, supporting its business and community activities and recruiting efforts. In her new role, Huotari succeeds Andrew Moratzka, who has served as the Minneapolis office managing partner since 2020.

“Laurie is an exceptionally talented attorney and a natural leader,” said Melissa Jones, Stoel Rives’ firm managing partner. “She has a great passion for the local community and is highly regarded by her clients and peers. We know Laurie will continue to nurture the inclusive and collaborative environment that already defines the culture of our Minneapolis office while encouraging its growth and practice excellence.”

Huotari joined Stoel Rives in 2012 and has more than 20 years of experience as a corporate attorney representing clients in all aspects of mergers and acquisitions, company reorganizations, private equity financing, corporate governance, commercial transactions, joint ventures, and strategic alliances. A significant portion of Huotari’s work in recent years has involved assisting local and national clients in the food and agribusiness industries, and she is particularly experienced in providing counsel on biogas renewable energy financings.

“I certainly have big shoes to fill, as Drew masterfully managed to hold the bond of our office together during such a challenging time, leading through the worst of the pandemic and lockdowns, and I am excited to build upon the strong foundation he created,” Huotari said. “I’m looking forward to supporting my colleagues as we transition back into the office environment and re-engage in person with our clients and community.”

Huotari’s prior leadership roles include mentoring associate attorneys, serving on the Minneapolis office’s recruiting committee for the past three years, and serving as the Minnesota office delegate for the corporate practice group. Huotari volunteers at several local nonprofits, providing pro bono and non-legal support. She previously served as a volunteer attorney for the Minnetonka Baseball Association and the Children’s Law Center of Minnesota, and as a skilled seamstress, Huotari serves as a costumer for the theater program at St. Therese Catholic School.

“We are grateful to Drew for his leadership the past three years, particularly as he successfully led the Minneapolis office during the pandemic,” said Jones. Moratzka will continue to lend support to firm leadership while focusing on his thriving energy regulatory practice, representing a variety of clients in administrative litigation and appeals, contract negotiations, and legislative consulting.

The lawyers in Stoel Rives’ Minneapolis office, most of whom are native Minnesotans, are committed to the growth and success of the regional economy. The office provides a full range of services, both litigation and transactional, to local and national clients, primarily in the healthcare, agribusiness, and energy sectors.