Practice Groups

Represented a global computer-equipment company, obtaining a decision affirming and reinstating an arbitration award resulting in a total award exceeding $800 million in a misappropriation of a trade secret dispute. Seagate Tech., LLC v. Western Digital Corp., 854 N.W.2d 750 (Minn. 2014).

Served as co-lead counsel in a consolidated proceeding of more than 70,000 plaintiffs seeking damages arising from a multinational biotechnology conglomerate’s alleged premature commercialization of genetically modified corn products, resulting in a favorable settlement. In re: Syngenta Litig., No. 27-CV-15-3785 (Hennepin Cty. Minn. 2017).

Currently representing a global agricultural corporation in a multimillion dollar grain, fertilizer, oil and oil field supplies transloading site in Canada involving breach of contract, tortious interference, and equitable claims. Scoular Co. v. Ceres Glob. Ag Corp., No. 14-1881 (D. Minn.).

Currently representing the chief executive officer, chairman of the board, and minority shareholder in a dispute involving a successful family business. Barry v. Twin City Fan Cos., No. 27-CV-16-15719 (Hennepin Cty. Minn.).

Represented dealers at trial against a multinational agricultural company, obtaining a six-figure jury verdict and finding of no liability on a seven-figure counterclaim arising from a breach of seed distribution agreement. Meade v. Syngenta, No. 27-CV-14-18515 (Hennepin Cty. Minn. 2016).

Represented a global medical-device company in district court and on appeal, winning summary judgment on liability for breach-of-contract and tortious interference claims, together with a jury verdict and seven-figure judgment, including an attorneys’ fees award. St. Jude Med., S.C., Inc. v. Biosense Webster, Inc., 818 F.3d 785 (8th Cir. 2016).

Represented a global manufacturer in a dealer termination action enforcing the Minnesota choice-of-law and forum-selection provision and rejecting the claimed applicability of the New Jersey Franchise Practices Act. B-Jays USA, Inc. v. Red Wing Shoe Co., Inc., 2015 WL 5896151 (D.N.J. Oct. 6, 2015).

Represented a group of distributors, obtaining dismissal of an antitrust class action. Insulate SB, Inc. v. Advanced Finishing Sys., 797 F.3d 538 (8th Cir. 2015).

Represented a former company owner and chief executive officer, winning summary judgment in an ESOP class action on plaintiffs’ breach of fiduciary duty claims. Chesemore v. All. Holdings, Inc., 948 F. Supp. 2d 928 (W.D. Wis. June 4, 2013); 886 F. Supp. 2d 1007 (W.D. Wis. July 24, 2012); 276 F.R.D. 506 (W.D. Wis. Sept. 22, 2011).

Represented an individual at trial, obtaining a $4.75 million jury verdict against a large manufacturer in a fraudulent transfer case. Johnson v. USL Products, Inc., No. 27-CV-10-9077 (Hennepin Cty. Minn. 2014).

Represented an individual, obtaining a $2.3 million arbitration award in a case involving breach of a buyout agreement related to a casino-development project in California. Argovitz v. Lakes Entm’t, No. 65-20-1400-0072 (A.A.A. 2014).

Represented a realty company and its parent company, obtaining a favorable outcome in a theft of a copyright and antitrust matter. Regional Multiple Listing Serv. of Minn., Inc. v. Am. Home Realty Network, Inc. v. Edina Realty, Inc., No 12-CV-0965 (D. Minn. Sept. 16, 2014).

Defended an energy company at trial, obtaining a defense jury verdict in a case involving tortious interference with a frac-sand mining contract and claimed damages exceeding $60 million. Stein v. Wesch, No. 25-CV-11-733 (Goodhue Cty. Minn. 2013).

Represented a business and its owner at trial, obtaining a favorable jury verdict in a contract dispute with a railroad. Heffron v. Burlington N. and Santa Fe Ry. Co., No. 34-CV-08-660 (Kandiyohi Cty. Minn. 2011).