Lica Tomizuka of Faegre Baker Daniels Receives Diversity in Business Award

Lica Tomizuka of Faegre Baker Daniels LLP has been honored by the Minneapolis/St. Paul Business Journal with a 2013 Diversity in Business award.

Tomizuka, a partner in the real estate and construction group at Faegre Baker Daniels, was recognized for making a difference in her profession, company and community. She works with clients in commercial property acquisition, disposition and development transactions across the United States.

Tomizuka has served as the lead attorney on several of Minneapolis' most dynamic real estate projects. She is advising on development of The Nic on Fifth™, a 26-story luxury apartment tower and the first new high-rise residential rental building in downtown Minneapolis in nearly 30 years. Tomizuka also led a legal team advising on development of VÉLO™, a 101-unit, bicycle-inspired boutique luxury apartment complex, and two mixed-use retail and student housing projects near the University of Minnesota, among other projects.

Tomizuka told the Minneapolis/St. Paul Business Journal that her best business tip is to "Step back and look at the whole picture." She described her favorite part of her job as "working with clients to help them achieve their goals."

A community servant, Tomizuka donates her time and skills to organizations that develop life and leadership skills in urban youth from diverse backgrounds. She chairs the board of YouthCARE and has provided pro bono representation in real estate matters to several nonprofits, including The Cookie Cart. From 2007-09, Tomizuka spent considerable time volunteering with Free Arts Minnesota, helping children experiencing homelessness express themselves and heal through art.

At FaegreBD, Tomizuka chaired the firm's United Way Campaign for two years, organizing a large donation and engagement program. In 2013, she was named the firm's Leadership Council on Legal Diversity Fellow.

The Diversity in Business awards recognize leaders from the Twin Cities' ethnic minority, GLBT, veteran and disabled communities based on their contributions to their companies and communities. The Minneapolis/St. Paul Business Journal honored Tomizuka and other winners at a reception on July 18 and in a special publication section on July 19.