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
Bassford Remele Obtains Successful Result in Trust Litigation Matter
Date: Oct 18, 2007 — Minneapolis, MN
Bassford Remele Attorneys Alan I. Silver, Robin Ann Williams, and Paula M. Semrow successfully defended U.S. Bank in its capacity as a corporate trustee against claims of breach of trust, breach of fiduciary duty, and claim for surcharge brought by two trust beneficiaries who alleged that upon their mother's death, her estate paid millions of dollars in excessive estate taxes. Claims were brought in eleven separate trusts. Many of the claims were resolved in favor of U.S. Bank on summary judgment. The remaining claim - that U.S. Bank should have created a family limited partnership in order to reduce estate taxes - was tried in a 10-week bench trial before the Honorable Margaret M. Marrinan in Ramsey County District Court. On April 25, 2007 Judge Marrinan issued a 180-page Order, including voluminous findings of fact and conclusions of law, holding that U.S. Bank fully complied with its fiduciary obligations to the beneficiaries.
Mr. Silver is a shareholder practicing in the area of commercial and business litigation. His principal areas of practice are trust and fiduciary litigation, including trusts and estates litigation, employee benefits litigation under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA), antitrust and distributorship advice and litigation, and general commercial litigation. Mr. Silver has been involved in many of the principal trust and estates lawsuits in Minnesota in the last decade including the Daniels trust litigation, the Hill trust litigation, the Williams trust (Creamette Company) litigation, the Bell trust litigation, the Divine Family trust litigation and the Binger estate litigation. He has served for seven years as the chair of the litigation committee of the Probate and Trust Section of the Minnesota State Bar Association, and frequently lectures on probate and trust litigation.
Ms. Williams is a shareholder and graduate of the University of Minnesota Law School, where she has served as Visiting Clinical Professor of Law and as an adjunct professor. She is recognized as one of the Top 100 Women Super Lawyers by Minnesota Law & Politics, MPLS.ST.PAUL Magazine and Twin Cities Business Monthly. She practices in numerous areas of litigation, including legal malpractice defense, insurance coverage, trust law, and other business litigation. She also represents large residential landlords and frequently serves as course chair or speaker at continuing legal education seminars concentrating in housing law.
Ms. Semrow is an associate and magna cum laude graduate of Hamline University School of Law. Prior to law school, Ms. Semrow worked for the Federal Bureau of Prisons. During law school, she held positions with the United States Attorney's Office and the United States Department of Justice (Commercial Litigation Division). Ms. Semrow is a member of the ABA Pretrial Practice and Discovery Committee, Subcommittee on Electronic Discovery. She practices in all areas of civil litigation, including trust law, health care, professional liability and employment law.
Bassford Remele, A Professional Association, is a full service litigation firm located in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Founded in 1882, the firm celebrates its 125th year of service to clients in 2007. Bassford Remele represents local, national and international clients in all areas of civil litigation. Bassford Remele is a community of experienced and committed trial lawyers who embrace a professional approach to the practice of law while providing the highest level of legal expertise and advice.