Minneapolis, MN 55402-3707
Phone: 612.333.3000
Fax: 612.333.8829
Bassford Remele is a full service litigation firm located in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Founded in 1882, the firm represents local, national and international clients in all areas of civil litigation and dispute resolution.
Press Releases
Minnesota Court of Appeals Upholds Jury Verdict and Attorneys' Fees in Favor of Bassford Remele's Client
Date: June 18, 2008 — Minneapolis, MN
The Minnesota Court of Appeals recently upheld a multi-million dollar verdict Bassford Remele obtained for its client, Ronald Zebeck. In September, 2007, Lewis A. Remele, Jr., together with a team of Bassford Remele attorneys including Frederick E. Finch, Paula M. Semrow and Boyd Ratchye, who recently retired after over forty years of practice, successfully represented Mr. Zebeck in a three-week trial, culminating in a Minneapolis jury award in excess of $30 million. Mr. Zebeck is the former CEO of Metris Companies, Inc., a credit card issuer and subsidiary of the world's largest bank. Metris fired Mr. Zebeck from his position as CEO in December, 2002. The company later claimed that they were recharacterizing Mr. Zebeck’s termination as “for cause,” thus forfeiting his benefits under a Change in Control Severance Agreement and other executive compensation agreements. Mr. Zebeck was unable to obtain other suitable employment in the financial services industry following his termination. The jury found that Metris breached its contract with Mr. Zebeck for severance benefits after it terminated his employment in 2002 because the company did not have "cause" to fire him.
In a February 9, 2007 memorandum, Judge Kevin Burke upheld the jury’s verdict and awarded Mr. Zebeck almost $10 million in prejudgment interest, attorneys' fees and costs. Metris appealed that decision.
On May 27, 2008, in a unanimous, unpublished decision, the Minnesota Court of Appeals affirmed the jury verdict and district court's post-trial rulings. The Court of Appeals found that the jury's verdict, and the district court's decision to uphold that verdict, were supported by the evidence and its associated inferences. Additionally, the Court of Appeals upheld the district court's award of attorneys' fees, finding that the parties' contract did not limit the basis on which Mr. Zebeck could retain legal counsel (Mr. Zebeck retained Bassford Remele on a contingent, rather than hourly, basis). The Court determined that the district court did not abuse its discretion in requiring Metris to pay the attorney fees Mr. Zebeck incurred in a good faith effort to recover benefits under the contract.
Link to 10/9/06 Release: Bassford Remele Client Wins $30 Verdict
Mr. Remele maintains a civil trial practice in both tort and commercial matters. He represents insurance companies in personal injury and coverage cases, and corporate clients in diverse commercial suits including employment, contracts, securities, and professional and fiduciary claims, including directors' and officers' liability, class actions, shareholder disputes, debtor/creditor, antitrust, products liability, and trusts and estate litigation. Mr. Remele also performs mediations and arbitrations and he is regularly selected by litigants and the courts to serve in all types of civil litigation. He is consistently named a "Super Lawyer" and was selected Best Lawyer in Minnesota by Minnesota Law & Politics in 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004 and 2005. Mr. Remele is a Fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers, the American Board of Trial Advocates and the American Bar Foundation and was recently inducted as a Fellow of the International Society of Barristers.
Mr. Finch is an experienced trial lawyer who has practiced in the areas of employment and labor law, business torts, and related matters for more than 30 years. He is an active and enthusiastic leader of the organized bar. Among his many leadership positions, he has been President of the Hennepin County Bar Association, a member of the Board of Governors and Executive Committee of the Minnesota State Bar Association and has twice received the MSBA’s President’s Award for his exceptional contributions to the organization. He is the Minnesota State Delegate to the American Bar Association and has made substantial contributions to the profession as chair of the MSBA Rules of Professional Conduct Committee and the MSBA Task Force on the American Bar Association Model Rules.
Ms. Semrow is a magna cum laude graduate of the Hamline University School of Law. She has been recognized as a Rising Star by Minnesota Law & Politics, and she is a member of the ABA Pretrial Practice and Discovery Committee, Subcommittee on Electronic Discovery. Ms. Semrow practices in all areas of civil litigation, including health care, professional liability and employment law.
Ms. Harper is a graduate of the University of St. Thomas School of Law. She practices in all areas of civil litigation, including professional malpractice, health and hospital law, trust and estate litigation, employment and labor law, products liability and real estate law.
Bassford Remele, A Professional Association, is a full service litigation firm located in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Founded in 1882, the firm represents local, national and international clients in all areas of civil litigation and alternative dispute resolution. Bassford Remele is a community of experienced and committed trial lawyers who embrace a professional approach to practicing law while providing the highest level of legal expertise and advice.