Lindquist & Vennum in Minneapolis is a business-oriented, general-practice law firm of nearly 200 lawyers that was created in 1968 from a merger between two Minneapolis firms that were formed in the 1940s. Its clients range from Fortune 500 companies and multi-national corporations to start-up ventures. The firm is frequently retained as counsel for issuers or underwriters in the issuance of public equity securities and regularly assists its clients in mergers, acquisitions and venture capital financings. Approximately a one-third of the attorneys concentrate their practice in litigation covering all aspects of commercial trial and appellate advocacy, including antitrust, intellectual property, securities, employment, product liability, franchise, shareholder, environmental, contract, class action, construction, tax and insurance coverage disputes.