Combining our strength and experience with focused direction and agility, we have the skill and flexibility to expose the truth across various causes. Whether those causes are large or small in scope, we understand the bigger picture and apply a decisive and compelling approach to preserve what matters most to our clients and our communities.
Representing a diverse array of clients throughout all phases of litigation – including Fortune 500 corporations, small businesses, as well as individuals in complex business disputes and personal injury matters. Mathew Korte provides comprehensive insight, analysis, and advice to best-serve his client’s business interests and trial objectives. His experience includes high-stakes trial and federal arbitrations addressing key industry issues like commercial distribution, brand protection, fraud, financial and securities matters, intellectual property rights, as well as insurance disputes, wrongful death, negligence, real property, and general contract disputes.
Bar Admissions
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.
State of Alaska v. Williams Alaska Petroleum Inc., et al.: Trial counsel against former operator of refinery concerning statutory and contractual liability related to groundwater contamination in the City of North Pole, Alaska. Multi-week trial resulted in judgment in favor of client and the State of Alaska against Williams Alaska Petroleum, Inc. and The Williams Companies, Inc., finding the Williams entities liable to pay for over $80 million in past damages plus interest along with future liability for 100% of costs related to PFAS contamination at the North Pole Refinery and the majority of remediation costs for sulfolane contamination.
Claimant vs. Hospital and Providers: Pursued and negotiated a $25 million settlement, with Michael V. Ciresi, 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)
Wrongful Death Action v. Minnesota Health Care Provider: Pursued claim and negotiated an $825,000 settlement related to a family member’s suicide resulting from the alleged failure to appropriately monitor an at-risk patient.
Costa Farms v. Costa Farms: Represented an iconic local business with deep and historic roots in the Minnesota crop-farming industry against a national wholesale flower company in a tradename and trademark dispute.
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.
Georgia Pacific v. NCR, et al: Counsel for Georgia Pacific in CERCLA contribution litigation regarding PCB contamination of the Kalamazoo River in Michigan and Fox River in Wisconsin. Collaborated with counsel from other leading law firms resulting in judgment and allocations against responsible parties.
Muenich v. Warner, et al.: Lead counsel for defendants in a real property dispute involving adverse possession and boundary claims. Plaintiffs’ case was dismissed upon defendant’s motion. (2015)
Kraft Foods Group, Inc./Mondelēz International, Inc. v. Starbucks Coffee Company: Counsel for Kraft regarding breach of contract against Starbucks for unilaterally terminating parties’ 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 case award to Kraft.
*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 Mat was at his former firm.
**Being named to a list or receiving an 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.
