For the first time, The National Law Journal recognizes leading in-house legal departments of companies based in the Minneapolis-St. Paul region. We’ve highlighted departments that are setting the standards for outside counsel management, corporate compliance, diversity in the profession, pro bono service and the care and handling of really big deals. We’ve spotlighted one particular ­company in the region that manages all those tasks with special finesse — 3M Co. Other legal departments in the Twin Cities that we’ve selected demonstrate forward-thinking strategies for meeting the evolving legal demands of their businesses.

In-House Legal Department of the Year
3M CO.
Strategy is the hallmark of 3M Co.’s legal department — and orchestrating that strategy is Ivan Fong. Former general counsel to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, Fong deploys planning, technology and discipline to leverage the $31 billion company’s relatively lean legal department of 210 attorneys.

Finalist
GENERAL MILLS INC.
General Mills Inc.’s legal department is a finely tuned operation, processing everything from food law to employment work and regularly appraising the outside firms it relies on to handle its thorniest issues.

Outside Counsel Management
CARGILL INC.
For Cargill Inc. general counsel Laura Witte, attention to the management of outside counsel has paid off.


Corporate Compliance
THE NERDERY
Angelo Spenillo initially landed at the website and application development company in a technical role. Once there, the 2000 Georgetown University Law Center graduate convinced his bosses they needed a legal department.


Big Deals
SNAP FITNESS INC.
The Chanhassen, Minn.-based gym franchiser’s two-attorney department handled an impressive array of deals during the past year.


Diversity
TARGET CORP.
Some legal departments talk about diversity; then there are those like Target Corp. that not only recruit a wide spectrum of attorneys but also donate time to initiatives that help the entire legal profession diversify.


Pro Bono
U.S. BANCORP
The bank’s pro bono program is involved with no less than 15 legal aid organizations and legal aid clinics.