Christina K. Brusven
by Dan Heilman
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Born: Sept. 20, 1979; Dawson, Minn.
Education: William Mitchell College of Law, J.D., 2007; Southwest Minnesota State University, B.A., 2002
Employment: Fredrikson & Byron, associate, 2007-present; Minnesota Department of Commerce, special assistant to the deputy commissioner, 2005-07; Minnesota Department of Administration, research analyst for the Office of Strategic Planning and Results Management, 2004-05; Minnesota House of Representatives, research consultant, 2001-04
Professional Associations: American Bar Association, Minnesota State Bar Association
Community Activities: Church of St. Joseph
Hobbies/Interests: Cabinetmaking, motorcycling, travel, volleyball
Family: Husband, Dan
Fredrikson & Byron, P.A.
Education: William Mitchell College of Law, J.D., 2007; Southwest Minnesota State University, B.A., 2002
Employment: Fredrikson & Byron, associate, 2007-present; Minnesota Department of Commerce, special assistant to the deputy commissioner, 2005-07; Minnesota Department of Administration, research analyst for the Office of Strategic Planning and Results Management, 2004-05; Minnesota House of Representatives, research consultant, 2001-04
Professional Associations: American Bar Association, Minnesota State Bar Association
Community Activities: Church of St. Joseph
Hobbies/Interests: Cabinetmaking, motorcycling, travel, volleyball
Family: Husband, Dan
As issues involving climate change and the environment grow more prominent, it makes sense that an increasing number of young lawyers are showing a strong interest.
Christina K. Brusven, an associate with Fredrikson & Byron, is jumping into the field with both feet. Since joining the firm in September 2007, she has been focusing her practice on renewable energy and wind development matters, using prior experience as a springboard.
Until last July, Brusven worked in various state government offices, including three years as a research consultant in the Minnesota House. It was there that she first gained an interest in energy issues.
“My second day as a researcher at the House of Representatives, I was working for the Regulated Industries Committee, which is now the House Energy Policy Committee,” Brusven recalls. “We were hearing the bill that reauthorized the dry cask storage for the Prairie Island nuclear facility. I loved the policy debate.”
Later, as a special assistant to the deputy commissioner of the state Department of Commerce, Brusven was instrumental in drafting and negotiating portions of the Next Generation Energy Act, a bill signed by Gov. Tim Pawlenty in May 2007.
She also developed a working knowledge of regulatory proceedings that come before the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission. “There were all these business interests and environmental interests that were conflicting, and I found the discussion so interesting,” she says.
“Energy goes through boom and bust cycles, and it’s boomed recently as far as building,” Brusven says. “I foresee it growing over the next five or 10 years because so many of these capital projects have long construction cycles, especially by the time you get them permitted. By the time you get to construction, it’s five years out at a minimum.”
For her work in helping to develop Minnesota’s progressive energy legislation, Brusven received an Inspiring Efficiency Award from the Midwest Energy Efficiency Alliance earlier this year. Brusven says the award reflects growing concern about energy-related issues.
“With all the environmental concerns about climate change, there’s a great deal of focus on where we want to get our energy,” she says. “I foresee the policy debate continuing to push and drive renewable development. There will be additional regulatory requirements related to carbon and other environmental aspects of energy use.”
Brusven says she hopes to grow her practice by continuing to learn about the economics and regulatory aspects of the energy industry.
“The economics of wind energy, especially, make it a very attractive business decision,” she says. “It’s more of a certainty than carbon is. The policy debate will shift as more people accept the reality of climate change.”
