about us
The team at Atlas Legal Services is dedicated to helping our clients achieve their goals by providing practical, proven solutions to today's most challenging business transition needs.
Atlas Legal Services, PLLC, is a Fargo, N.D. based business law firm that specializes in the establishment and management of Employee Stock Ownership Plans (ESOPs) and business transition services. We offer the best of both worlds: a friendly, local firm service philosophy with national reach and expertise. Our clients include businesses of all sizes and are found in locations throughout the United States.
We pride ourselves on our responsive approach and the strong working relationships we develop with our clients.
Our team is led by ESOP attorney Bart McIlonie, who started Atlas Legal Services in 2019 after 13 years practicing business, ESOP, and corporate tax law.
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Meet the team
Bart McIlonie
Bart McIlonie is our lead ESOP attorney and is the President and Founder of Atlas Legal Services. He has provided business ownership transition and ESOP advisory services for privately held clients throughout his career. Prior to forming Atlas Legal Services, PLLC, he was a member and shareholder of a nationally recognized ESOP consulting and law firm. He has represented ESOP plan sponsors and ESOP trustees in transactions establishing ESOPs as well as shareholders selling to an ESOP in transactions ranging in value from $3M - $90M.
Bart is a member of the National Legal and Regulatory Committee of the ESOP Association and has presented at both National Center of Employee Ownership (NCEO) and ESOP Association national and regional conferences. He advises clients on a variety of issues including corporate finance, executive compensation, ESOP operations, ESOP sustainability and general compliance. In addition to his law license he also holds a North Dakota CPA certificate.
Danielle foster
Danielle Foster is an associate ESOP attorney with Atlas Legal Services. As an attorney at Atlas Legal Services, PLLC, she brings tax consultant experience from previous employment at Deloitte Tax, LLP. Danielle is a member of the North Dakota Bar Association.
A native of Minot, North Dakota, Danielle graduated cum laude with a bachelor of science in accounting from Minot State University. During her time at Minot State, she played four years of NCAA women’s golf and lead as team captain in her last two years. She went on to study law at the University of North Dakota School of Law. During her post-secondary education career, Danielle was treasurer of Law Women’s Caucus and vice president of the American Constitution Society. Danielle also served as managing associate of the Dakota Venture Group, the country’s first student-run venture capital fund. During the 2019 North Dakota Legislative Session, Danielle served as an extern to the North Dakota Legislative Council. She graduated with her juris doctor from the University of North Dakota School of Law with the class of 2019.
Austan Wellman
Austan Wellman is an associate attorney at Atlas Legal Services, PLLC, specializing in ESOPs and business law. He leverages extensive experience with startups and emerging technology companies, advising clients on entity formation, capital raising, corporate governance, contract negotiation, and intellectual property. Austan has represented a wide range of businesses, from software providers to unmanned aerial systems and professional service firms, with a strong focus on helping technology companies secure venture capital funding.
A native of Devils Lake, ND, Austan earned his Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice, graduating magna cum laude from North Dakota State University. He received his Juris Doctor from the University of North Dakota School of Law, where he was the President and Founder of the Aviation Law Society and served as treasurer of the Sports Law Society.
Austan's notable representations include $1.3M Series Seed equity financing for a technology company; $100K SAFE financing for a technology company; and $50K SAFE financing for a drone-tech company.
B Missy Woessner
B Missy Woessner, RP is a PACE® Registered Paralegal with over 30 years of successful experience assisting business attorneys with the implementation and facilitation of employee stock ownership plans. She also brings a wealth of experience in corporate, tax, and estate planning law to Atlas Legal Services.
Missy holds a bachelor’s degree and associate degree in Paralegal Studies and is a member of the NE Chapter of the ESOP Association, the Vermont Paralegal Organization, National Federation of Paralegal Associations and Vermont Bar Association.
Carrie A. Roberts
Carrie A. Roberts, CEBS is our Compliance Specialist & Paralegal who has been assisting ESOP companies with qualified plan compliance for nearly 30 years. Carrie enjoys helping clients set up their ESOPs, manage ongoing compliance as well as the termination process, draft participant communications, regulatory notices and legal documents. She has prepared hundreds of plan documents, amendments, IRS determination letter filings, and qualified domestic relations orders.
Carrie has a B.A. from the University of Chicago, where she graduated with honors in Public Policy. Carrie obtained the Certified Employee Benefits Specialist (CEBS) designation, which delivers benefits expertise supported by research-based best practices with a curriculum developed by the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania and administered by the International Foundation of Employee Benefit Plans.
Kayla Koehmstedt
Kayla Koehmstedt is the Marketing Director at Atlas Legal Services. She has extensive experience working with professional service firms that operate in the ESOP community, and understands the unique structure of ESOPs, transaction design, mergers and acquisitions, and more.
Prior to joining the team at Atlas, Kayla spent over four years at a public accounting firm where she worked with her team to build their ESOP practice from the ground up. She brings this knowledge and experience to our team developing overall marketing strategy and ensuring clients are connected and cared for.
Originally from Rugby, North Dakota, Kayla graduated magna cum laude from North Dakota State University with a Bachelor of Science in Marketing. She participated in the United Way of Cass-Clay’s 35 Under 35 Women’s Leadership Program and is involved with various community organizations. In addition, she also holds an active Certified Personal Trainer certification through the National Academy of Sports Medicine.
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