Adine S. Momoh
Equity Partner – Stinson LLP
Description of field of expertise
A dedicated, trail blazing trial attorney, Adine is an equity partner in the Minneapolis Office of Stinson LLP in the complex business and commercial litigation department and co-chair of the firm’s Estates and Trusts Litigation Practice Group. Adine defends complex business and commercial litigation matters for securities, banking, estates and trusts clients, and resolves creditors’ rights and bankruptcy cases in state and federal courts nationwide. She also handles complex business and regulatory disputes and investigations for businesses (ranging from Fortune 500 companies to emerging entrepreneurs) and individuals in diverse industries, such as financial services and wealth management, health care, natural gas, medical gas, nonprofits and foundations, telecommunications and government contracts.
In her securities and banking litigation practice, Adine regularly represents regional and national banks and financial institutions in matters involving breach of fiduciary duty, Ponzi schemes, check endorsement issues, mortgage foreclosure and dual tracking defense, and defense of Regulation E claims. In her estates and trusts litigation practice, Adine regularly represents fiduciaries (individuals and corporate entities), beneficiaries or devisees, and other interested persons in matters involving will or trust contests and probate or trust administration. In her bankruptcy practice, Adine regularly represents clients in matters involving cash collateral, DIP financing, 363 sales, plan confirmation, claim and administrative expense resolution and defense, fraudulent conveyance, preferential transfers and other avoidance actions.
Professional Achievements
Widely recognized for her community involvement, public service and professional achievements, Adine was the first black woman and youngest attorney to serve as president of the 8,000-member Hennepin County Bar Association. In October, 2020, Adine joined the Federal Bar Association’s (FBA) National Board of Directors and began her year-long term as chair of the FBA’s Younger Lawyers Division (YLD). The voice of young federal practitioners nationwide, the YLD is the FBA’s largest division, with more than 4,000 members. Additionally, in 2021, Adine was named among the 2020 Lawdragon 500 Leading U.S. Bankruptcy and Restructuring Lawyers. In 2020 (and 2019), Adine was named to the “40 & Under Hot List” by Benchmark Litigation. In 2019, Adine was named an Attorney of the Year by Minnesota Lawyer. In 2018, Adine was named a 40 Under 40 Honoree by Minneapolis/St. Paul Business Journal. Also, in 2016, Adine was selected by the National Conference of Bankruptcy Judges as a Blackshear Presidential Fellow, which recognizes attorneys of color for their legal excellence in the practice of bankruptcy law, commitment to principles of civility, ethics and professionalism, and commitment to the continued educational development of bankruptcy professionals. And in 2013, Adine was named a Fellow of the Leadership Council on Legal Diversity.
Pro Bono/Nonprofit
Deeply committed to pro bono, Adine was recognized with Stinson’s 2013 Pro Bono Service to the Indigent Award. She also provides pro bono work through the firm’s Legal Clinic, the Federal Bar Association’s Pro Se Project, the Minnesota Appellate Public Defender and the Office of the Federal Defender for the District of Minnesota.
Adine serves on several non-profit boards, including The Saint Paul and Minnesota Community Foundation, the International Women’s Insolvency and Reorganization Confederation–Minnesota Network, where she is a founder, and the FBA’s Bankruptcy Law Section. Adine is also the Vice Chair of the Bankruptcy Appeals Subcommittee of the American Bar Association’s Business Bankruptcy Committee and a member of the Minnesota State Bar Association’s Bankruptcy Bulletin Committee.
Education / Prior Experience
Adine has a bachelor’s degree in business administration-legal studies in business, psychology and pre-law from the University of St. Thomas Opus College of Business, summa cum laude, and a law degree from William Mitchell College of Law, magna cum laude, where she served as the managing editor of the William Mitchell Law Review. Adine clerked for the Honorable Jeanne J. Graham of the United States District Court for the District of Minnesota and currently serves on the United States District Court for the District of Minnesota’s Federal Practice Committee.