For me, this firm is about leveling the playing field. After 43 years of practicing law, and working on some of the most high profile cases in the country, I have never accepted that our system of justice should only benefit those with the greatest resources or who dance in the shadows of the ambiguity of the law. I also realized it was time to totally focus my attention on what mattered most to me, striving to be a force for good in the courtroom and in the community. With this firm, we can do that. With small teams of the most experienced lawyers, we can affect positive change in those cases we choose to undertake. I’ll strive to protect the future for our clients and for the communities in which we live. In the final analysis, it’s about the continuous renewal of spirit and the pursuit of justice.

Experience

Michael V. Ciresi is one of the few lawyers whose career spans both corporate representation and access to justice for individuals on the plaintiffs’ side, all at the highest levels of the profession.  He has represented individuals, corporations, and governmental entities, and obtained nearly $12 billion in verdicts, awards, and settlements on behalf of his clients, with a trial and consulting practice focused in the areas of product liability, intellectual property, and business and commercial litigation.

In 2015, Mr. Ciresi founded Ciresi Conlin LLC where his practice ranges from large bet-the-company trials and high-profile business deals, to individual cases, all the while examining the complexities of each case and finding new and creative ways to pursue justice. Mr. Ciresi and his partners are dedicated to protecting the future of the law as well as the surrounding community.

Prior to founding Ciresi Conlin, Mr. Ciresi was a name partner and Chairman of the Executive Board of Robins, Kaplan, Miller & Ciresi L.L.P.  During his 43 years with the firm, he drove the firm’s litigation practice.

Mr. Ciresi served as lead counsel on some of the most complex and impactful cases of our times, including the Minnesota tobacco litigation and the Bhopal gas leak disaster litigation (the world’s worst industrial disaster) and has been consistently recognized by his peers.  Some of his more visible cases include Kraft Foods Global, Inc./Mondelēz International, Inc. v. Starbucks, Whitely vs. Pfizer, Inc., WCRA, et al. v. Wells Fargo Bank, N.A., et al., Charbonneau v. Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals, Inc., and Pfizer, Inc., Zwayer v. Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals, Inc. and Pfizer, Inc., State of Minnesota and Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota v. Phillip Morris Incorporated, et al., Paul Wellstone, et al. v. Aviation Charters, et al., Honeywell v. Minolta, Unocal Corporation v. Atlantic Richfield Company, et al., Pitney Bowes Inc. v. HP, Ecolab v. Ford, et al., the Dalkon Shield litigation, Copper-7 litigation and the Government of India v. Union Carbide in which Mr. Ciresi was chief counsel to the Government of India.

Mr. Ciresi is the only lawyer named as a “Top Ten Minnesota Super Lawyer” every year since its inception.  He is one of the few number of lawyers who has been recognized on two occasions in the National Law Journal’s annual list of “Ten of the Nation’s Top Trial Lawyers,” and in 1997, 2000 and 2006 was named by the Journal as one of the “100 Most Influential Lawyers in America.” In 2015, Benchmark Litigation named him one of the Top 100 Trial Lawyers in the United States. Best Lawyers named him “Minneapolis Bet-the-Company Litigation Law” Lawyer of the Year in 2012 and 2014 and Minneapolis Mass Tort Litigation/Class Action – Plaintiff’s Lawyer of the Year in 2014 and 2015.

In 1997, he was also named “Lawyer of the Year” by Minnesota Law & Politics.  In 1998, he was awarded the “Trial Lawyer of the Year Award” by Public Justice Foundation (formerly The Trial Lawyers for Public Justice Foundation).  He has also been listed in The Best Lawyers in America since 1989 and was honored by the Australian National Consumer Law Association as “Product Liability Lawyer of the Year” in 1989 and in 1998 was given a “Lifetime Achievement Award” by the Minnesota Association for Justice (formerly Minnesota Trial Lawyers Association).  Mr. Ciresi was named a runner-up for “Lawyer of the Year” in 1998 by The National Law Journal.  In 2001, Mr. Ciresi was named best product liability attorney in America by Corporate Board Member magazine.  Also, in 2001, an Honorary Degree of Doctor of Laws was conferred upon Mr. Ciresi by Southwestern University School of Law.  In 2002, Mr. Ciresi was awarded the Ellis Island Medal of Honor by the National Ethnic Coalition of Organizations Foundation, Inc.  Mr. Ciresi is one of 289 lawyers listed in The International Who’s Who of Patent Lawyers 2005 and is named in The Lawdragon 500 Leading Lawyers in America.

Among other professional organizations, Mr. Ciresi is a member of the American Board of Trial Advocates, American College of Trial Lawyers, Inner Circle of Advocates and International Academy of Trial Lawyers.

Mr. Ciresi devotes a substantial amount of time to philanthropic activities.  In 1999, he founded and has served as the Chairman and President of the Ciresi Walburn Foundation for Children (formerly Robins, Kaplan, Miller & Ciresi Foundation for Children).  The Foundation has made grants in excess of $23 million to improve the lives of Minnesota children, with a primary emphasis in pre-K – 12 education.

He also serves (or has served) on the Board of Trustees for the University of St. Thomas, the Board of Governors of the University of St. Thomas School of Law, Board of Trustees of St. Thomas Academy, the Northside Achievement Zone, the Advisory Board for the Centre of Advanced Litigation at Nottingham Law School, Nottingham, England (term expired), the Board of Directors for Equal Justice Works (term expired),  The Guthrie Theater (term completed 2005) and Ordway Center for the Performing Arts (term completed 2005), Regions Hospital Foundation (term completed 2009), Minnesota Early Learning Foundation, Ed Allies (formerly MinnCAN) (term completed 2018), Saint Paul Public Schools Foundation (term completed 2014), Parent Aware for School Readiness, and Children’s Hospitals and Clinics of Minnesota (term completed 2015) and Children’s Hospital and Clinics Foundation Board (Chair 2013 and 2014).

Bar Admissions

  • Minnesota
  • New York
  • United States Supreme Court
  • U.S. District Court, Minnesota
  • U.S. Court of Appeals, Eighth Circuit
  • U.S. Court of Appeals, Ninth Circuit
  • U.S. Court of Appeals, Tenth Circuit
  • U.S. Court of Appeals, Federal Circuit

Medical Malpractice

Our goal is to help you put a difficult, frightening and painful time behind you. We seek out the truth in complex situations, and set the stage for fair restitution so you can move forward with the healing process.

Our medical malpractice and injury team

Mass Tort

Our mass tort team represents plaintiffs injured by defective drugs and devices. We are passionate about advocating for truth and justice in the face of corporate negligence.

Our mass tort team

Selected Case Results

Trial counsel for the Otto Bremer Trust and its three Trustees defending against a Petition filed by the Minnesota Attorney General’s Office (“AGO”), which sought removal of Trustees for alleged breaches of trust and fiduciary duty concerning the Trust’s prior pursuit of a potential sale of Bremer Financial Corporation (“BFC”) and other aspects of their administration. After a four-week trial and submission of post-trial briefing, the Court denied the AGO’s Petition and its various allegations against the Trustees, finding, among other things, that the Trustees’ prior administration did not violate their fiduciary duties and their pursuit of a potential sale of BFC was not a breach of trust, an abuse of discretion, or a violation of the settlor’s intent.  Instead, the Court found that the Trustees acted in good faith to protect and enhance the Trust. The Court ultimately denied removal of two of the trustees, but removed the third on the basis that it served the best interest of the Trust and its beneficiaries.  Read more about the decision, which one commentator called a “stunning win for the Otto Bremer Trustees and the two Trustees left in charge,” here.

Claimant vs. Hospital and Providers: Pursued and negotiated a $25 million settlement, with Mat Korte, on behalf of a husband and father for catastrophic injuries and permanent impairment as a result of the failure to chart medication exposure in the patient’s record.  (2019)

Ligons v. Minnesota Department of Corrections: Ciresi Conlin was appointed lead counsel in a class action on behalf of Minnesota prisoners seeking treatment for chronic Hepatitis C, a highly contagious and fatal disease that affects up to 10 percent of the incarcerated population. The class action, based on the Eighth Amendment, challenged the Department of Corrections’ policy of treating only those at an advanced stage of Hepatitis C.  Shortly before trial, Ciresi Conlin secured a settlement compelling the DOC to provide potentially life-saving medication to qualifying prisoners at all stages of the disease.

Represented an individual Co-lead Counsel in Carver v. The New York Mellon national litigation representing ERISA participants, beneficiaries, and trustees that hold American Depositary Receipts (“ADRs”) for which the Bank of New York Mellon Corp., The Bank of New York Mellon., and BNY Mellon N.A.  (collectively “BNYM”) acted as a depositary.

Represented an individual under investigation by CFA institute alleging the client solicited clients when he changed jobs in violation of the CFA Institutes Rules. Obtained dismissal of the investigation without referral for an investigatory hearing. (2017)

Represented a fortune 500 company being investigated by the SEC for alleged violations of the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (“FCPA”). The case ended with a resolution and settlement with terms favorable to the client. (2016)

St. Paul Public Schools/Silva.  Negotiated Separation Agreement on behalf of Valeria Silva, the Superintendent of Saint Paul Public Schools, providing her at least $787,500 in payments and benefits from the School District.  Represented by Mike Ciresi, Katie Crosby Lehmann and Mat Korte on behalf of the firm. (2016)

Represented President of Higher Education Institution in obtaining a favorable resolution related to the President’s employment agreement. (2016)

Mondelēz International, Inc. In 2015, lead counsel, together with a team of inside counsel, for Mondelēz International Inc. in a negotiation and/or then potential litigation dispute with Kraft Foods Group, Inc. involving a wide variety of Intellectual Property and treatment of certain provisions of key contracts impacting worldwide rights.  Settlement was reached and involved, among other things, a division of IP by product and country across the world, agreed treatment of certain provisions of key contracts as they relate to contemplated transactions by the involved parties, and future treatment of key contract provisions.

Kraft Foods Group, Inc./Mondelēz International, Inc. v. Starbucks Coffee Company Lead counsel representing Kraft in a three-year arbitration regarding a breach of contract after Starbucks unilaterally terminated its agreement, cutting off Kraft’s exclusive rights to sell, market and distribute Starbucks roast and ground coffee in grocery and other retail outlets. The arbitration resulted in a $2.7 billion cash award to Kraft.

Minnesota Workers’ Compensation Reinsurance Association et al. v. Wells Fargo Bank, N.A.   Mr. Ciresi was co-lead counsel with Roberta B. Walburn. Four nonprofits – Minnesota Workers’ Compensation Reinsurance Association, Minnesota Medical Foundation, The Minneapolis Foundation, Ciresi Walburn Foundation for Children (formerly Robins, Kaplan, Miller & Ciresi Foundation for Children) – participated in a securities lending program run by Wells Fargo. The bank represented that the collateral in the program would be invested in short-term money market instruments, where the prime considerations would be safety of principal and liquidity. Instead, the bank invested a substantial portion of the collateral in risky and/or illiquid securities, including complex structured investments. The jury found that Wells Fargo breached its fiduciary duty and violated the Minnesota Consumer Fraud Act. In post-trial orders, the trial court awarded Plaintiffs attorneys’ fees, and costs and disbursements. The trial court also awarded Plaintiffs forfeiture of fees by Wells Fargo and awarded pre-and post-judgment interest. This was the first trial and recovery of this type in the country. On April 16, 2012, the Minnesota Court of Appeals issued its opinion affirming the trial court. On June 27, 2012, the Minnesota Supreme Court denied Wells Fargo’s petition for review. The final judgment, plus additional post-trial attorneys’ fees paid by Wells Fargo, totaled more than $57 million.

Lead Trial Counsel in Charbonneau v. Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals, Inc. and Pfizer, Inc. Represented plaintiffs in first Mirapex products liability bellwether trial.  On July 30, 2008, jury returned a verdict in favor of plaintiffs for $8,279,300, including $7.8 million in punitive damages for failing to warn of risk of compulsive behaviors, including pathological gambling, from the Parkinson’s drug Mirapex.

Lead Trial Counsel in Zwayer v. Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals, Inc. and Pfizer, Inc. Represented plaintiffs in second Mirapex bellwether trial.  Case was confidentially settled prior to closing argument.  After the conclusion of the Zwayer trial, Mr. Ciresi conducted settlement negotiations resulting in settlement of all the firm’s Mirapex cases.

Lead Trial Counsel in Whitely vs. Pfizer, Inc. Represented Plaintiff in first Chantix bellwether trial. The case confidentially settled three days prior to jury selection. Mr. Ciresi then engaged in settlement discussions which resulted in settlement of all firm Chantix cases.

State of Minnesota and Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota v. Phillip Morris Incorporated, et al.  Mr. Ciresi was co-lead counsel with Roberta B. Walburn for the State of Minnesota and Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota in a groundbreaking lawsuit against the tobacco industry.  After four years of litigation – including discovery of more than 30 million pages of internal documents, litigation of crime-fraud privilege issues, more than a dozen interlocutory appeals (including two to the United States Supreme Court) and four months of trial, the case settled on May 8, 1998, on the eve of jury deliberations for $7 billion and unprecedented injunctive relief against the tobacco industry.  Received Trial Lawyer of the Year Award from Trial Lawyers for Public Justice for work on the litigation.

TriStrata Technology, Inc. v. Mary Kay Inc.  Mr. Ciresi was co-lead trial counsel with Jan M. Conlin on behalf of TriStrata Technology, Inc. in a patent infringement case relating to alpha hydroxy acid (AHA) anti-aging technology.  TriStrata was awarded $26.4 million in damages plus interest by a Delaware jury in March, 2005.  A final judgment including pre-judgment and post-judgment interest brought the total award to more than $43 million and the verdict was summarily affirmed by the United States Court of Appeals, Federal Circuit on January 10, 2007.

Honeywell v. Minolta. Mr. Ciresi was lead counsel on behalf of Honeywell in the Honeywell v. Minolta autofocus patent litigation, which resulted in a jury verdict of $96,350,000 on February 7, 1992.  The case was settled shortly after the verdict for $127,500,000, which included pre-judgment interest.  Mr. Ciresi went on to represent Honeywell against multiple other defendants with respect to the autofocus technology and Honeywell eventually recovered approximately $500 million for patent infringement.

Atlantic Richfield Company, et al. v. Unocal Corporation, et al.  Mr. Ciresi was lead counsel for Unocal Corporation in patent infringement case involving a patent owned by Unocal covering automotive gasoline compositions designed to reduce tailpipe emissions.  A jury in Los Angeles awarded Unocal $91 million on October 14, 1997.  The United States Court of Appeals, Federal Circuit affirmed the district court’s denial of JMOL due to the substantial evidence supporting the jury verdict.

Ecolab v. Ford, et al.  Mr. Ciresi represented Ecolab in a commercial dispute involving the departure of six top salespeople who joined a key competitor.  He tried the matter to conclusion in 1994, enforcing noncompetition agreements and other lawful protection of proprietary company information

Dalkon Shield litigation. Mr. Ciresi was lead counsel on behalf of hundreds of women who suffered infertility issues as a result of the use of the Dalkon Shield.  Two bellwether cases went to trial and resulted in jury verdicts of compensatory and punitive damages: Strempke v. A.H. Robins $250,000 in compensatory damages and $1,500,000 in punitive damages (June 1983); Hahn v. A.H. Robins $250,000 in compensatory damages and $500,000 in punitive damages (December 1983).  In 1984, the A.H. Robins Co. entered into a settlement on behalf of all remaining clients represented by Mr. Ciresi.

Copper-7 litigation.  Mr. Ciresi was lead counsel in the Copper-7 litigation, in which he represented over 100 women who were injured as a result of the use of the Copper-7 intrauterine device.  Two of the clients’ cases were tried.  In September of 1988, a Minnesota jury awarded $8,750,000 in the case of Kociemba v. G. D. Searle & Co.  Of the verdict, $8 million was punitive damages and $750,000 were compensatory.  In March of 1989, Mr. Ciresi was lead counsel in McCarthy v. G. D. Searle & Co., the second bellwether Copper-7 trial.  The case was confidentially settled just prior to closing argument.  In the summer of 1988, the G. D. Searle & Co. settled the cases of all remaining clients represented by Mr. Ciresi.

Government of India v. Union Carbide. Mr. Ciresi was lead counsel for the Government of India for damages arising from the Bhopal disaster, which occurred when methyl-isocyanate (MIC) gas was discharged from Union Carbide India Ltd.’s plant in Bhopal, India, resulting in over 3,000 deaths, thousands of injuries and property damage.  The case was eventually settled in India in 1987 for $470 million.

Ricoh v. Pitney Bowes Inc. Mr. Ciresi was co-lead trial counsel with Jan M. Conlin for Pitney Bowes in defending against a claim by Ricoh in which Ricoh asserted that Pitney Bowes infringed 18 claims from 4 Ricoh patents.  On November 30, 2006, a federal jury in New Jersey returned a verdict for Pitney Bowes, finding that the Ricoh patents were invalid for anticipation.  The jury’s verdict was affirmed on appeal to the United States Court of Appeals, Federal Circuit.

Pitney Bowes Inc. v. Hewlett Packard.  Mr. Ciresi was lead counsel for Pitney Bowes in a patent dispute against Hewlett Packard over laser jet printers.  In 2001, on the first day of trial, the case was settled with Hewlett Packard agreeing to pay Pitney Bowes $400 million and other intellectual property considerations.

Hutto v. Estee Lauder Inc.  Mr. Ciresi was lead counsel for Estee Lauder in a putative class action and obtained a dismissal with prejudice prior to class certification. (April 2006)

Scarpuzzi v. Real Estate Equities. Mr. Ciresi obtained $6.25 million in settlements on the eve of trial on behalf of a boy who was seriously and permanently injured by a garage door at his apartment complex.  The garage door did not have a reversing mechanism and crushed the 5-year-old boy, causing irreversible brain damage. The settlements required the apartment complex to pay $5.5 million and the manufacturer and seller of the device to pay $750,000.

Haagen-Dazs International Shoppe Company, Inc. v. Corporacion Todosabor C.A.
Mr. Ciresi was lead counsel for Haagen-Dazs International Shoppe Company, Inc. in defending a claim brought by Corporacion Todosabor C.A. regarding a dispute over a franchise agreement.  The matter went to international arbitration and Corporacion Todosabor C.A.’s claim was dismissed and judgment was entered on behalf of Haagen-Dazs International.

H & D Tire v. Pitney Bowes Inc. Mr. Ciresi was lead counsel in defending Pitney Bowes in a putative nationwide class action.  Class certification was defeated in Federal Court in the Eastern District of Texas in 1997.  The case settled following remand to State Court by the 5th Circuit.

Wilkinson v. Dow Chemical Co.  Mr. Ciresi was lead counsel for Richard Wilkinson in a product liability action against Dow Chemical arising from Mr. Wilkinson being blinded in an industrial accident.  A jury in State Court in Duluth, MN returned a verdict of $1.6 million in 1979.  The case was settled on appeal to the Minnesota Supreme Court.

Wellstone case.  Co-lead counsel representing families of Senator Paul Wellstone, his wife, daughter and three staff members who died in a crash of a chartered plane near Eveleth, Minnesota.  The case settled against the affiliated air charter companies for the insurance policy limits of $25 million in 2003.

*Past results are reported to provide the reader with an indication of the type of litigation we practice. They do not and should not be construed to create an expectation of result in any other case, as all cases are dependent upon their own unique fact situation and applicable law.

Case results before 2015 were obtained while Mike was at his former firm.

Recognition

  • Top Ranked by Chambers USA for Litigation: General Commercial (2003-2023) and Product Liability: Plaintiffs (2012-2023)
  • Named “Attorney of the Year” by Minnesota Lawyer (2013, 2017, 2019, 2022)
  • Named to Top 10 and Top 100 list of Minnesota Super Lawyers (2003-2022)
  • Named to Lawdragon’s Plaintiff Consumer Lawyers Hall of Fame (2019)
  • Named to Lawdragon’s list of 500 Leading Litigators in America (2002-2024)
  • Named to Lawdragon’s list of 500 Plaintiff Consumer Lawyers (2019-2024)
  • Named to Lawdragon’s list of 500 Leading Plaintiff Financial Lawyers (2019-2023)
  • Named to Minnesota Lawyer’s Power 30 Personal Injury Lawyers (2021, 2022)
  • Named to Minnesota 500 – The Most Powerful Business Leaders in Minnesota (2020)
  • Named one of “America’s Top 100 High Stakes Litigators” by America’s Top 100 LLC (2018)
  • Named “Minnesota Icon” by Finance & Commerce and Minnesota Lawyer (2018)
  • Awarded the Institia et Lex Award by the University of St. Thomas School of Law: The award is presented to a member of the Twin Cities community who embodies the School of Law’s mission in his or her professional life. (2017)
  • Named to “Best Lawyers in Minnesota” by Minnesota Monthly (2017)
  • Named to the Litigation Hall of Fame by LawDragon’s 500 Leading Lawyers in America, 10th Anniversary edition
  • Named to the “Top 10 Attorneys in Minnesota” (2015, 2017) and “Top Attorneys in Minnesota” (2018) selected by Peer Recognition and Professional Achievement, as published in Minneapolis St. Paul Magazine
  • Named one of the “Top 100 Trial Lawyers in the United States”  by Benchmark Litigation (2015-2021)
  • Named a “Litigation Star,” Benchmark Litigation (2011-2014, 2016-2018 editions)
  • Listed in “500 Leading Lawyers in America” Lawdragon (2007, 2010-2014)
  • Named a Law360 2014 Food & Beverage MVP
  • Received 2014 Opus Sancti Thomae Award, St. Thomas Academy
  • Named “Litigator of the Week,” by The AmLaw Litigation Daily (November 14, 2013)
  • Listed in The Best Lawyers in America (1993-2024 editions)
  • Named “Minneapolis Mass Tort Litigation/Class Action – Plaintiffs’ Lawyer of the Year,” Best Lawyers (2014-2016 editions)
  • Named “Minneapolis Litigation – Intellectual Property Lawyer of the Year,” Best Lawyers (2013, 2016)
  • Named “Minneapolis Bet-the-Company Litigation Law Lawyer of the Year,” Best Lawyers (2012 and 2014, 2016)
  • Named “Minneapolis Product Liability Litigator of the Year,” Best Lawyers (2010 and 2016)
  • Listed in IAM250 – World Leading IP Strategists (2011)
  • Ranked #1 on the list of “Top 10 Super Lawyers,” Minnesota Law & Politics (2007)
  • Listed in “Minnesota’s Legal Hall of Fame: The 100 Most Influential Attorneys in State History,” Minnesota Law & Politics (2007)
  • Inducted into the Warren E. Burger Society (2004)
  • Awarded “Ellis Island Medal of Honor” by NECO (2002)
  • “Best Product Liability Lawyer” by Corporate Board Member magazine (August, 2001)
  • Awarded “Outstanding Achievement Award” by University of Minnesota (1999)
  • Awarded “Distinguished Alumnus Award” by University of St. Thomas (1999)
  • Named a runner-up for “Lawyer of the Year” by The National Law Journal (1998)
  • Awarded “Lifetime Achievement Award” by the Minnesota Association for Justice (1998)
  • Awarded “1998 Trial Lawyer of the Year Award” by Public Justice Foundation
  • Named “Lawyer of the Year” by Minnesota Law & Politics (December, 1997)
  • Named as one of the “100 Most Influential Lawyers in America” by National Law Journal (April 28, 1997, June 12, 2000 and June 19, 2006)
  • Listed in National Law Journal’s “Ten of the Nation’s Top Trial Lawyers” (February 13, 1989; February 8, 1993)
  • “Product Liability Lawyer of the Year 1989” by the Australian National Consumer Law Association (December, 1989)
  • Listed in The International Who’s Who of Business Lawyers (Litigation and Patent Chapters, 2002-present)
  • Listed in The International Who’s Who of Commercial Litigation (2000-present)
  • Listed in Who’s Who in the Midwest (2000-present)
  • Listed in The International Who’s Who of Patent Lawyers (1998-present)
  • Listed in Who’s Who in America (1994-present)
  • Listed in Who’s Who of Emerging Leaders in America (1991-1994)
  • Listed in Marquis Who’s Who in the World (1989-present)
  • Listed in Marquis Who’s Who in American Law (1987-present)

Being named to the list or receiving the award is not intended and should not be viewed as comparative to other lawyers or to create an expectation about results that might be achieved in a future matter.

Community Service

  • Ciresi Walburn Foundation for Children (formerly Robins, Kaplan, Miller & Ciresi Foundation for Children), Chairman of the Board
  • Wilder Foundation, Board of Directors*
  • Ed Allies (formerly MinnCAN), Board of Directors*
  • Public Radio International, Board of Directors*
  • Saint Paul Public Schools Foundation, Board of Directors*
  • Children’s Hospitals and Clinic of Minnesota Foundation, Board of Directors
  • Children’s Hospitals and Clinics of Minnesota, Board of Directors*
  • Close Gaps By 5 (formerly Minnesota Early Learning Foundation, Board of Directors)
  • Regions Hospital Foundation, Board of Directors*
  • Hennepin County Commission to end Homelessness, Co-Chair*
  • St. Thomas Academy, Board of Directors
  • University of St. Thomas, Board of Trustees
  • University of St. Thomas School of Law, Board of Governors
  • Centre of Advanced Litigation at Nottingham Law School, Nottingham, England, Advisory Board*
  • Equal Justice Works, Board of Directors*
  • Institute of Judicial Administration at New York University School of Law, Board of Directors*
  • Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law, Honorary Lifetime Trustee
  • The Guthrie Theater, Board of Directors*
  • Ordway Center for the Performing Arts, Board of Directors*
  • Public Justice Foundation, Board of Directors (1997-2005)*
  • Northside Achievement Zone (NAZ)

*term expired

Articles

  • Trying the Complex Case in the United States–Courtroom Technology for Today  The    Litigator, Oxford, England (1995) (with Jan M. Conlin and Tara D. Sutton)
  • Trying the High-Tech Case: Lessons Learned from Honeywell vs. Minolta  Trial Magazine (September 1992) (Jan Conlin)
  • The Courts and Pleadings of the United States Appendix C in Pleadings: Principles and Practice, London, Sweet & Maxwell (1990)
  • Products Liability Cases – United States (with Roberta B. Walburn, assisted by Jan Conlin), Chapter in Pre-Trial and Pre-Hearing
  • Procedures Worldwide, Graham & Trotman and International Bar Association (1990)
  • In Support of the Contingency Fee System Legal Action Magazine, London, England   (November 1989) (with Jan Conlin )
  • Products Liability; Post-Injury Evidence Trial Magazine (November 1989) (with Roberta B.   Walburn)
  • Preemption in Pharmaceutical Cases; Dismantling the New Defenses Trial Magazine (March   2008) (with Roberta B. Walburn)

Speeches

Discovering and Proving Punitive Damages: the Dalkon Shield Story
Minnesota Association for Justice, Minneapolis, MN (December 2011)

A Survival Guide for Today’s Class Action Settlements
Panel Member, The American Bar Association Section of Litigation, 13th Annual National Institute on Class Actions, San Francisco, CA (October 30, 2009)

Plaintiff’s Argument for Wilkinson v. Dow Chemical Company and Continental Oil, Inc.
Minnesota State Bar Association Civil Litigation Section, Minneapolis, MN (April 16, 2009)

Trial Preparation and the Importance of Opening and Closing Statements
Faculty Member, The American College of Trial Lawyers and the Fund for the Legal Aid Society, Minneapolis, MN (May 1, 2008)

Damages in Mass Litigation
Faculty Member, Class Actions, Damages and Mass Claims Mediation, Rimini, Italy (May 27-28, 2005)

The Law and the Trial Lawyer – What Role in Society?
Keynote Speaker, Mason City, IA (April 27, 2005)

Set the Table:  Documents Use in Depositions
Minnesota State Bar Association, Tactics, Problems and Solutions, Minneapolis, MN (February 22, 2002)

Commercial Law: Turning a Sow’s Ear into a Silk Purse
Panelist, Colorado Trial Lawyers Association, Annual Convention, Copper Mountain, CO (August 9, 2001)

Cross Examination: Unmasking the Opposing Expert
Faculty Member, Minnesota Institute of  Legal Education (MILE), Expert Witness Seminar, Minneapolis, MN  (March 23, 2000)

Tactical Considerations in Deciding to Undertake Patent Litigation: Developing a Litigation Strategy Consistent with Business Goals
Faculty Member, Robins, Kaplan, Miller & Ciresi L.L.P., The Trial Lawyer’s Approach to Winning Patent Cases Seminar, Wilmington, DE (May 21, 1999)

Minnesota Tobacco Litigation
Faculty Member, North Dakota Trial Lawyers Association, Fargo, ND (May 13-14, 1999)

Management of Complex and Multi-District Litigation: The Tobacco Wars
Panelist – Complex Business Litigation, The Sedona Conference, The Really Big Civil Action, Sedona, AZ (April 29, 1999)

The Power of Principle: A Case Study in Politics, Public Policy and Public Health
Guest lecturer, John F. Kennedy School of Government/Institute of Politics Harvard University, Cambridge, MA

Litigation in a Capitalist Economy: A Case Profile of the Tobacco Lawsuit
Keynote Speaker, University of St. Thomas Alumni Association, Minneapolis, MN (December 4, 1998)

Anticipating and Efforts to Resolve The Mass Tort Plaintiff Perspective
Panelist, 3rd Annual Mass Tort – The Litigation Institute, Washington, DC (November 5-6, 1998)

Lawyers, Courts, and the Press: Who’s Using Whom?
Panelist, The 1998 Council For Court Excellence Public Forum, Washington, D.C. (November 4, 1998)

Tobacco Free Initiative Media and Advocacy Workshop
Keynote Speaker, World Health Organization, Geneva, Switzerland (October 19 – 23, 1998)

Tobacco Litigation: The Minnesota Experience
Panelist – Tobacco Regulation, William Mitchell College of Law, The Convergence of Law, Medicine & Public Health, Minneapolis, MN (September 25, 1998)

Tobacco Trial: View from the Plaintiff’s Chair
Keynote Speaker, Minnesota’s 3rd Annual August Law & Technology Show ’98, Minneapolis, MN (September 1-2, 1998)

Tobacco Litigation
Keynote Speaker, 1998 Annual Convention – Minnesota Trial Lawyers, Alexandria, MN (August 14 – 16, 1998)

Tactical Considerations in Deciding to Undertake Patent Litigation: Developing a Litigation Strategy Consistent with Business Goals
Faculty Member, Robins, Kaplan, Miller & Ciresi L.L.P., The Trial Lawyer’s Approach to Winning Patent Cases Seminar, Los Angeles, CA (November 5, 1997)

Lawyers, Judges and Integrity: What Good are Professional Ethics?
Panelist, William Mitchell College of Law, St. Paul, MN (April 25, 1997)

Presenting Damages to the Jury in a Complex Business Case
Keynote Speaker, Orange County Bar Association – Business Litigation Section, Orange, CA (December 6, 1996)

Trial Lawyer’s Role in Society: Cigarette Litigation – A Case Study
Keynote Speaker, Gustavus Lawyers Guild, Minneapolis, MN (November 12, 1996)

Tactical Considerations in Deciding to Undertake Patent Litigation: Developing a Litigation Strategy Consistent with Business Goals
Faculty Member, Robins, Kaplan, Miller & Ciresi L.L.P., The Trial Lawyer’s Approach to Winning Patent Cases Seminar,  Minneapolis, MN (November 7, 1996)

Suing and Defending Large Companies
Faculty Member, The Association of General Counsel, Minneapolis, MN (October 9 – 11, 1996)

Perfecting Trial Skills & Effective Inside/Academy Outside Counsel Relationships
Faculty Member, Orange County Bar Association, Newport Beach, CA (September 27-29, 1996)

Learn How Experts Can Help You Tell Your Client’s Story in a Complex Business Case
Faculty Member, Complex Business Litigation Seminar, Minnesota Institute of Legal Education (MILE), Minneapolis, MN (September 26, 1996)

Trial Lawyer’s Role in Society: Cigarette Litigation –  A Case Study
Faculty Member, 1996 Annual Convention – Minnesota Trial Lawyers Association, Alexandria, MN (August 22-25, 1996)

21st Century Courtroom Technology: A Demonstration and Discussion of the Multimedia  Trial
Faculty Member, The Association of The Federal Bar of The State of New Jersey, West Orange, NJ (April 11, 1996)

The Law and the Trial Lawyer – What Role in Society?
Faculty Member, Hennepin County Bar Association, Minneapolis, MN (March 13, 1996)

Presentation at Trial of Technical Issues
Faculty Member, Minnesota Intellectual Property Law Association, Minneapolis, MN (February 1, 1996)

Litigating High Profile Cases
Faculty Member, Dealing With the Media Seminar, Minnesota Institute of Legal Education (MILE), Minneapolis, MN (January 18, 1996)

New & Innovative Trial Techniques & Devices
Panel Member, The Inner Circle of Advocates, Aspen, CO (August 13-17, 1995)

What Went Right: Case Studies of Success
Faculty Member, Minnesota’s Journal of Law & Politics, Minneapolis, MN (June 26, 1995)

Technology in the Courtroom
Panel Member, Price Waterhouse LLP, Intellectual Property Leadership Forum, Tucson, AZ (February 22 – 26, 1995)

The Art of Litigation Advocacy
Faculty Member, 18th Annual Institute American Intellectual Property Law Association, Mock Patent Jury Trial, Boca Raton, FL (February 1 – 4, 1995)

Tips From the Tops: Bold New Litigation Strategies and Advanced “Nuts and Bolts” Discussion
Speaker, Faculty Member – Labor & Employment Law Institute, Minnesota State Bar Association, Minneapolis, MN (November 17, 1994)

The Role of the Jury Consultant
Panel Member, The Inner Circle of Advocates, Palm Beach, FL (November 8, 1994)

Liability and Damages Issues in the Trial of a Business Case
Association of Trial Lawyers of America, Commercial Litigation, Chicago, IL (July 26, 1994)

Jury Trials in Patent and High Tech Intellectual Property Litigation
American Conference Institute, New York, NY (June 9-10, 1994)

The Case is Won During Discovery
Speaker, Faculty Member – Civil Litigation Institute, Minnesota State Bar Association, Minneapolis, MN (December 9, 1993)

Demonstrative Evidence
Speaker, Faculty Member- Intellectual Legal Property July Trial Seminar, Minnesota Institute of Legal Education (MILE), Minneapolis, MN (October 29, 1993)

International Corporate Liability After Bhopal and Honeywell’s Camera Litigations
Speaker, Faculty Member- Global Markets and the Law Seminar, Minnesota Institute of Legal Education (MILE), Minneapolis, MN (July 23, 1993)

Don’t Blame Me
Panel Member – Stakeholder Dialogue, University of St. Thomas Minneapolis Campus, Minneapolis, MN (May 5, 1993)

Big Verdicts:  How Insurers Help Create Them
Faculty Member – Insurance Claims & Management, Minnesota Institute of Legal Education (MILE), Minneapolis, MN (April 23, 1993)

The Institute for Civil Justice – Rand Corporation On the Issues Forum produced by Alvin H. Perlmutter, Inc. and Price Waterhouse
Panel Member – Roundtable on the Impact of Mass Torts, New York, NY (December 1, 1992)
Panel Member – Products on Trial (Product Liability), Chantilly, VA (January 23-24, 1993)

8th Annual Master Advocates Advocacy Program
National Institute of Trial Faculty Member, Washington, D.C. (October 4-9, 1992)

Million Dollar Verdicts
Faculty Member, Minnesota Institute of Legal Education (MILE), Seminar, Minneapolis, MN (October 1, 1992)

24th Biennial Conference
International Bar Association, Cannes, France (September 20-25, 1992)

Should We Litigate Here or in Foreign Courts:  The Implications of Bhopal for the 90’s and of America, Circle of Poison Issues
1992 Annual Convention – Association of Trial Lawyers “International Practice Section” Program, Washington, D.C. (July 28, 1992)

Awards in U.S. Jurisdictions
Lloyd’s of London Press – International Personal Injury Compensation Awards Conference, London, England (March 17, 1992)

Global Markets and “Obtaining Discovery Abroad in U.S. Cases”
Faculty Member, Minnesota Institute of Legal Education (MILE), Minneapolis, MN (July 1991)

Participant in Discussion to Formulate Policy Recommendations American Assembly Report
Seventy-Seventh American for Assembly on the Impact of Civil Liability Law on Innovation in Medicine, Science and Industry, Arden House, New York, NY (May/June 1990)

Springtime in Paris:  Product Liability in Bloom
National Institute of the Mock ABA, International Bar Association and Union: Internationale des Avocats, Trial and Presentation, Paris, France (May 1990)

Management of Complex Litigation
Federal Bar Association Sixteenth Annual Federal Court Practice Seminar, Minneapolis, MN (March 1990)

Mass Tort Litigation
National Federation of Paralegal Associations Region I Conference, Newport Beach, CA (November 1989)

Pre-Trial Procedures in United States Products Liability Actions and Disaster Litigation Worldwide
International Bar Association, Strasbourg, France (October 1989)

…Do the Courts Have the Capacity to Face the Future? (Mass Tort & Disaster)
Panel Discussion, Eighth Circuit Judicial Conference, Minneapolis, MN (July 1989)

Panel Discussion on Toxic Torts
Federal Judges Conference, Washington, D.C. (May 1989)

Winning at Trial and in the Appellate Courts
Seminar Panelist, Minnesota State Bar Association Young Lawyers Section, Bloomington, MN (March 1989)

Preparing and Trying the Punitive Damages Case
Seminar Lecturer, Minnesota Institute of Legal Education (MILE), Bloomington, MN (February 1989)

Speech on Product Liability
New York Bar Association Product Liability Committee, New York, NY (November 1988)

Cu-7 Intrauterine Device Litigation
The Washington Forum, New York, NY (October 1988)

The Contingent Fee and Discovery under the Rules
1988 Bar Conference American Bar of England and Wales, London, England (October 1988)

Isolating the Parent Corporation from the Liability of the Subsidiary
12th Annual International Business Law Institute, St. Paul, MN (November 1987)

Preemption:  Dismantling the New Defense
Nevada Trial Lawyers Association, Monterey, CA (September 1987)

The Bhopal Litigation – Its Current Status and Its Long-Term Implications for Transnational Corporations
International Bar Association, New York, NY (September 1986)

Professionalism in the Law
Virginia Bar Association, Virginia Beach, VA (June 1986)

Plaintiff’s Perspectives of Recovery Approaches to Tort Litigation
Minnesota Institute of Mass Legal Education, Minneapolis, MN (March 1986)

Tort Liability of Corporations and Approaches to Defending
Minnesota Corporation Council, Minneapolis, MN (October 1985)

Multi-national Enterprise Liability and Other Theories of Recovery in the International Tort Field
International Bar Association, Singapore (September 1985)

Punitive Damages in Products Liability Cases
Georgia Trial Lawyers Association, Atlanta, GA (September 1985)