Robert P. Abdo
Areas of Practice: Business, Corporate Law, Mergers + Acquisitions, Contracts, Collateral Assignment Split Dollar Agreements, Financing, Real Estate + Land Use, Estate Planning, Probate + Trust Disputes, Wills
Office Location: Minneapolis, Minnesota
Direct: 612.336.9334 / Email: rabdo@lommen.com
Robert P. Abdo / Biography
Bob Abdo is a Director and Executive Vice President of Lommen Abdo Law Firm and chair of the Business, Mergers and Acquisitions, Estate Planning and Real Estate Group. He brings a wide variety of background and experience, giving him a practical and substantive perspective to advise clients. He acts as general outside counsel to a variety of businesses. Bob represents start-ups, emerging and growing businesses. He provides legal, transactional, estate and family planning, business strategy and long-term planning, counseling and advice to varied businesses, organizations and individuals. His practice consists of preparing and reviewing all types of business and other contracts, real estate, estate planning and business and corporate law matters, including entity formation and related agreements, mergers and acquisitions, employment, deferred compensation plans, Collateral and Endorsement Split Dollar Insurance Agreements, 457(f) Plans, contracts, venture and other financing.
Bob has long been rated AV Preeminent® for the highest level of professional excellence by Martindale-Hubbell. Bob has been and continues to be included on the Minnesota Super Lawyer lists in the categories of Small & Privately Held Business Law, General Business and Business/ Corporate. Bob has for many years been recognized in The Best Lawyers in America© for his work in the areas of Real Estate Law and Entertainment Law – Music. He is one of America’s Most Honored Lawyers for 2020 by The American Registry and has been selected by Lawyers of Distinction.
He is involved in community affairs including as former trustee and six term mayor of the City of Minnetonka Beach, President of the Minneapolis Athletic Club and President of Lafayette Club. He has been a member and/or chair of many community and private committees, commissions and boards. He was a First Lieutenant, USAR and Chief Finance Officer and Assistant Personnel Officer of the 5501 U.S. Army Hospital unit. At the University of Minnesota, he was President of the Newman Student Association, a Minnesota Student Senator and Minnesota Representative.
Leadership + Activities
- Lommen Abdo Law Firm
- Senior Executive Vice President, shareholder, 2006 to present
- Board member, 2006 to 2008, 2009 to 2013, 2014 to 2018, 2023 to present
- Chair, Corporate Section (Business, Mergers and Acquisitions, Employment, Estate Planning and Real Estate Practice), 2006 to 2014, 2016 to present
- Abdo, Abdo, Broady & Satorius, P.A. (formerly Abdo & Abdo, P.A.)
- Founder, 1974
- President, 1991 to 2006
- Vice-President/Secretary, 1974 to 1991
- Shareholder/Director, 1974 to 2006
- Lafayette Club
- President, 2007 to 2008
- Member, Board of Directors, 1991 to 1994, 2003 to 2009
- Member of Executive Committee; past Vice President; past Treasurer and Chair, Finance Committee
- City of the Village of Minnetonka Beach:
- Mayor, 1989 to 1995; Trustee, 1987 to 1989
- Chair of Dakota Rail Corridor Task Force, 2002 to 2006
- Chair of Long Range Planning Committee, 1995; Member, 1988 to present
- Member of Park Commission, 1989 to 1990
- Member of Comprehensive Plan Committee, 1990 to present
- Minneapolis Athletic Club
- President, 1990 to 1991
- Board Member, 1985 to 1992
- Vice President, Secretary and Chair of House Committee
- Lake Minnetonka Conservation District Intergovernmental Committee
- Member, 1988 to 1990
- Military
- First Lieutenant MSC, Chief Finance Officer, Assistant Personnel Officer, 1971 to 1974, 5501 U.S. Army Hospital, U.S. Army Reserve
- Medic, 5501 U.S. Army Hospital, U.S. Army Reserve, 1968 to 1971
- Hennepin County Bar Association
- Ethics Committee, past member
- Business and Securities Law Section, member, 1971 to present
- Probate and Trust Law Section, member, 1971 to present
- Professionalism and Ethics Section, member, 1971 to present
- Real Property Section, member, 1971 to present
- Minnesota State Bar Association
- Board of Governors, past alternate
- Sports, Art and Entertainment Law Section, member
- Business Law Section, member
- Probate and Trust Law Section, member
- Real Property Section, member
- American Bar Association
- Business Law Section, member
- Entertainment and Sports Industries Section, member
- Real Property, Trust and Estate Law Section, member
- Federal Bar Association, member
Feedback
Lommen Abdo has an excellent reputation. Sterling leader of his law firm, clients of Mr. Abdo are always pleased with the outcome of matters entrusted to him.
John Halpern
I have done business with Mr. Abdo for more than 30 years and have never once doubted his guidance. Dealing with a professional like Mr. Abdo is a pure business pleasure. Truly knowledgeable and a very caring attorney. Having an attorney like him makes it easier to rest knowing that he is on my side.
Scott Schultz
Mr. Abdo is a very excellent lawyer.
Al Most
I have worked several times with Robert Abdo on real estate matters. His guidance and acknowledge have been invaluable. When there has been a question in filing a deed, Bob has had it right every time!
Tom McGuire
I have worked collaboratively on legal documents, for several different entities for which I am an investor, with Bob Abdo for more than 30 years. I have experienced nothing short of supreme professionalism and superior legal wisdom. I highly recommend Bob & Lommen Abdo.
Frank Capan
Bob Abdo used his extensive experience to draw up contracts and make suggestions that were valuable regarding areas that were blind to me before his involvement. The legal fees were reasonable considering the complexity of the transaction. All of the staff that I interacted with were friendly, professional and competent.
Tim Orman
Lommen Abdo Law Firm has always had a fair-minded philosophy that is focused on a mutually amenable outcome that satisfies both parties. Bob Abdo is very business-minded and always approaches discussions with the overall business impact in mind. He provides a big picture outlook while paying close attention to pertinent details.
Bob Abdo at Lommen Abdo Law Firm is my main guy. He handles everything fabulously.
I have been working with Robert Abdo at the Lommen Abdo Law Firm for the past 20 years. Their expertise and the time it takes to provide documents for my clients is outstanding! I highly recommend Robert!
Experience
- Edina State Bank v. Mr. Steak, Inc., et al., 487 F2d 640 (10th Cir 1974), Cert Denied 419 US 883, 95 S Ct 150, 42 L Ed 2d 123
Presentations
- “Sale to a Third Party for Maximum Dollars,” Don’t Miss Your Exit Seminar, November 2012
- “Governing Green: The Use of ‘Green Policies’ in Corporate Strategy (Or…Did Your Client Make the Newsweek 100 Green Rankings?!),” Energy Synergy: Melding the Green Economy and the Law, Minnesota CLE, December 2009
- “Practical and Ethical Considerations for the Lawyer as Director, Officer, or Investor,” Minnesota CLE, November 2004
- “Securities Law for Entertainment Lawyers,” William Mitchell College of Law, 1993 to 2004
- “The Lawyer as Investor: Small Firm,” National Practice Institute, 1998, 1999, 2001
- “Film Financing for Independent Film Makers,” American Bar Association Annual Meeting, October 1995
- “Initial Consideration in Corporate Formation,” Minnesota CLE, May 1988
Published Articles
- “Primed for Sale: How to Know When It’s Time to Sell the Family Business,” Twin Cities Business, July, 2020
- “‘Going green’ must start at the company’s top,” Upsize Minnesota Magazine, April/May 2010
- “Other People’s Money: Financing the Low-Budget Independent Feature Film,” Contributing Author, Entertainment and Sports Lawyer, Fall 1998
- “Entertainment, Publishing and the Arts Handbook,” Contributing Author, 1998 to 2000
- “The Third Market,” Commercial Law Journal, 1971
Education
- University of Minnesota, B.A., 1967
- University of Minnesota Law School, J.D., 1970
Bar Admissions
- Minnesota, 1971
- U.S. District Court, District of Minnesota, 1973
- U.S. Supreme Court, 1981
- U.S. Court of Appeals, Eighth Circuit, 1988
Awards
News + Articles
Governing Green: The Use of “Green Policies” in Corporate Strategy
Bob Abdo spoke on December 8, 2009 at a Minnesota CLE seminar, Energy Synergy: Melding the Green Economy and the Law. Bob spoke with Brad Lehrman on "Governing Green: The Use of 'Green Policies' in Corporate Strategy (Or...Did Your Client Make the Newsweek 100 Green...
Practical and Ethical Considerations for the Lawyer as Director, Officer, or Investor
Bob Abdo spoke at a Minnesota CLE seminar on November 5, 2004 on "Practical and Ethical Considerations for the Lawyer as Director, Officer, or Investor."
Securities Law for Entertainment Lawyers
Bob Abdo was a visiting lecturer in "Securities Law for Entertainment Lawyers" at the William Mitchell School of Law from 1993 to 2004.
Other People’s Money: Financing the Low-Budget Independent Feature Film
Bob Abdo authored an article which appeared in the Fall 1988 Entertainment and Sports Lawyer, "Other People's Money: Financing the Low-Budget Independent Feature Film."
The Lawyer as Investor: Small Firm
Bob Abdo was a visiting lecturer at National Practice Institute in 1998, 1999, and 2001 on "The Lawyer as Investor: Small Firm."
Entertainment, Publishing and the Arts Handbook
By Bob Abdo. 1998 to 2000.