Steven J. Dickinson

Co-Chair, International Practice

Minneapolis

(612) 260-9051

(612) 260-9080

Steve’s practice centers on domestic and international business transactions for both U.S. and international companies.

In the United States, Steve represents clients in mergers and acquisitions, capital formation, complex contract negotiations, and other collaborative business transactions. These range from private equity investments to multi-party procurement contracts to acquisitions and sales valued at more than $1 billion.

Steve represents U.S. companies in their international business, including acquisitions, joint ventures, strategic alliances, construction and sales contracts, and distribution arrangements, as well as operational issues such as international tax planning, entity formation, financing, employment, intellectual property, and compliance matters, including the U.S. Foreign Corrupt Practices Act and export control regulations. Steve has represented many companies in doing business in China and throughout Asia, as well as in Europe, Latin America, the Middle East, the former Soviet Union, and Canada.

Steve also assists international companies in establishing and operating in the United States, primarily in the Midwest. This includes tax planning, mergers and acquisitions, entity formation, economic development incentives, real estate, construction, financing, contract drafting and negotiation, employment, intellectual property, and compliance.

Steve serves as an appointed member of the Minnesota District Export Council (DEC), an organization comprising experienced, international business leaders appointed by the U.S. Secretary of Commerce. Minnesota DEC is closely affiliated with the U.S. Commerce Department’s Export Assistance Center in Minnesota and the U.S. and Foreign Commercial Service. He is frequently quoted in the press on various funding- and business-related issues in publications that include The Wall Street Journal, Independent Retailer, and Glossy.

Experience

News

The Rock Report

September 27, 2021

Steve Dickinson discusses Cozen O’Connor, its recent growth, and how he assists international companies doing business in the United States and domestic companies in their international opportunities during the Rock Report segment of It’s Your Agri Business.

How Businesses Are Coming Together to Help Those Affected by COVID-19

May 01, 2020

Steve Dickinson shares insights with Independent Retailer on how small businesses can find financial relief during the COVID-19 pandemic.

SBA’s New Loans: VC- and PE-backed Companies Grapple with the Fine Print

April 07, 2020

Steve Dickinson comments on the potential impact of the CARES Act on smaller beauty, personal care, and wellness companies that are backed by private equity and venture capital investors.

Cozen O’Connor Advises Eurofins Scientific in $175 Million Acquisition of TestAmerica Environmental Services

October 04, 2018

The Corporate and International practices at Cozen O’Connor represented Eurofins Scientific SE in the acquisition of TestAmerica Environmental Services LLC (TestAmerica) from JSTI Group. The transaction is valued at $175 million on a cash-free, debt-free basis. The transaction is expected to close in the fourth quarter of 2018, subject to the fulfillment of regulatory and customary closing conditions.

Cozen O’Connor Guides Eurofins Scientific in $670 Million Acquisition of Covance Food Solutions

May 04, 2018

The Corporate and International practices at Cozen O’Connor represented Eurofins Scientific SE in the acquisition of Covance Food Solutions from Laboratory Corporation of America Holdings (LabCorp).

Publications

Paycheck Protection Program Extended

March 26, 2021

The Paycheck Protection Program is scheduled to expire March 31, 2021. However, the program still has a large amount of unspent money, and there is still considerable support for the program in Congress.

How Rebooted Paycheck Protection Program Works: Part 2

January 22, 2021

Steve Dickinson, Robert Magovern, and James Van Orden discuss key provisions to the Consolidated Appropriations Act, which revived the original Paycheck Protection Program (PPP), with some modifications, in part two of a two-part article in Law360.

New PPP Forgiveness Guidance And Forms [Alert]

January 22, 2021

Steve Dickinson, Bob Magovern, and James Van Orden discuss the SBA's interim final rule governing forgiveness of PPP loans and the new versions of the three forgiveness application forms, including a streamlined form for loans up to $150,000.

How Rebooted Paycheck Protection Program Works: Part 1

January 21, 2021

Steve Dickinson, Robert Magovern, and James Van Orden discuss the omnibus budget act that reinstituted the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) in part one of a two part article in Law360.

Restarting the Paycheck Protection Program [Alert]

January 08, 2021

Steve Dickinson, James Van Orden, and Bob Magovern discuss the Paycheck Protection Program startup and highlights key provisions of the two new implementing rules.

The “New and Improved” Paycheck Protection Program [Alert]

December 28, 2020

James Van Orden, Robert Magovern, and Steven Dickinson outline the changes made to the PPP in the omnibus budget signed by President Trump this weekend.

New “Necessity” Forms Create Headaches and Risks for PPP Borrowers [Alert]

December 03, 2020

Steve Dickinson discusses Forms 3509 and 3510 and how the SBA announcements will use them to review all PPP loans of $2 million or more with regard to necessity.

SBA to Begin Accepting PPP Forgiveness Applications on August 10 [Alert]

July 27, 2020

Steve Dickinson, James Van Orden, and Bob Magovern discuss the SBA's procedural notice to lenders participating in the PPP concerning PPP loan forgiveness.

Paycheck Protection Program Updates [Alert]

July 07, 2020

Steve Dickinson, James Van Orden, and Bob Magovern discuss updates to the Paycheck Protection Program.

New PPP Forgiveness Application Forms [Alert]

June 18, 2020

Steve Dickinson, James Van Orden, and Bob Magovern discuss the new Form 3508EZ and Form 3508 for PPP loan forgiveness.

Additional Clarification of Paycheck Protection Program Changes [Alert]

June 09, 2020

Steve Dickinson, James Van Orden, and Bob Magovern discuss the joint statement by the Small Business Administration and Department of the Treasury concerning changes in SBA rules and forms that are necessary to implement the Flexibility Act.

Major Changes in the Paycheck Protection Program [Alert]

June 05, 2020

Steve Dickinson discusses the Flexibility Act of 2020 and the changes to the PPP.

SBA Additional Guidance on PPP Loan Forgiveness and Loan Reviews [Alert]

May 28, 2020

Steve Dickinson, Bob Magovern, and James Van Orden discuss the two new rules issued by the SBA that provide some additional insight into the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loan forgiveness.

SBA’S Long-Awaited PPP Loan Forgiveness Guidance [Alert]

May 19, 2020

James Van Orden, Bob Magovern, Marty Schrier, and Steve Dickinson discuss the SBA's guidance on forgiveness of Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loans that allow small businesses and self-employed individuals to seek full forgiveness of their PPP loans that are being used to pay employee wages and other critical expenses during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Small Business Relief Programs Receive Additional Funding [Alert]

April 24, 2020

Steve Dickinson, Marty Schrier, James Van Orden, and Bob Magovern discuss the Paycheck Protection Program and Health Care Enhancement Act, which adds $310 billion in funding to the Paycheck Protection Program and an additional $60 billion to the Economic Injury Disaster Loan program.

SBA Asks: Did You Really Need Your PPP Loan? [Alert]

April 23, 2020

Steve Dickinson, James Van Orden and, Bob Magovern discuss the SBA's recent FAQ regarding public companies receiving PPP loans.

Frequently Asked Questions: Financial Assistance for Small, Mid-sized and Distressed Sector Businesses

April 22, 2020

James Argionis and Steven Dickinson wrote a white paper in conjunction with Gallagher on guidance in regard to the CARES Act and what this means for different types of businesses.

SBA Issues Additional Guidance On Affiliation Rules Under The Paycheck Protection Program [Alert]

April 14, 2020

Steve Dickinson, James Van Orden, and Bob Magovern discuss the SBA's updated FAQ's on the Paycheck Protection Program.

SBA Issues Frequently Asked Questions on Paycheck Protection Program [Alert]

April 08, 2020

Steve Dickinson, Marty Schrier, Bob Magovern, James Van Orden, and Jason Kreps summarize the SBA's FAQs about Paycheck Protection Program loans.

Treasury Issues Interim Regulations on Affiliation Rules Under Payroll Protection Program

April 04, 2020

Steve Dickinson, James Van Orden, and Bob Magovern discuss the latest affiliation rules under the PPP as they apply to faith-based organizations.

Treasury Issues Regulations Implementing The PPP Loan Application Process [Alert]

April 03, 2020

Steve Dickinson and James Van Orden outline the updated regulations implementing Paycheck Protection Program loans.

Small Business Administration’s COVID-19 Loan Programs

April 02, 2020

A quick guide for small businesses interested in the Economic Injury Disaster Loan program r the Paycheck Protection Program.

Paycheck Protection Program Begins April 3 [Alert]

April 01, 2020

Steve Dickinson, Jason Kreps, James Van Orden and Marty Schrier outline the implementation of the Paycheck Protection Program.

Summary and Analysis of Key Provisions of the CARES Act

March 28, 2020

Members of Cozen O'Connor's Coronavirus Task Force provide analysis of the CARES Act and how it will impact small businesses, distressed industries, employers and employees, taxes, and the health care, real estates, and energy industries.

Education

  • University of Iowa College of Law, J.D., with high distinction, 1979
  • University of Northern Iowa, B.A., magna cum laude, 1976
  • Minnesota
  • Iowa

American Bar Association, Committee on Negotiated Acquisitions 

Iowa State Bar Association, Business Law Section 2005-2011-Present

Iowa State Bar Association, International Law Section, 2001-2005, 2011-Present 

Minnesota State Bar Association