Experience: 

From 1979-1986, I was a litigation associate at a large Indianapolis law firm, where I cut my teeth as a defense trial lawyer on everything from slip-and-fall and dog bite cases to multi-week jury trials involving electrical engineering malpractice, wastewater treatment and collection systems, and many others. I also litigated a variety of environmental disputes involving air, water and solid and hazardous waste emissions and disposal. From 1986 through 2016, I was a litigation partner and shareholder at three prominent Minneapolis law firms serving as national, regional and local trial counsel in the defense of personal injury, wrongful death, property damage and commercial cases involving pharmaceuticals, medical devices, vaccines, over-the-counter medications, consumer/workplace/environmental exposure to a variety of toxic and hazardous products and substances, and production/manufacturing processes and equipment.

Representative Matters: 

Lead Paint/Pigment Litigation. I served on national and trial counsel teams defending personal injury, abatement and public nuisance cases brought throughout the United States against one of the former manufacturers of lead pigments and lead paint. Among other things, I was trial counsel in all matters that went to trial; prepared, cross-examined and defended most expert witnesses in trial and deposition; developed litigation strategy with the client and co-defendants; and, served as one of the media spokespersons for the defense group.

Drug/Device/Vaccine Litigation. I have represented numerous manufacturers of pharmaceuticals, medical devices, vaccines and veterinary biologics in personal property and property damage cases across the United States. Of particular note, I successfully established a federal preemption defense shielding most manufacturers of veterinary biologics from state tort liability, and I served as co-lead trial counsel in MDL bellwether trials arising out of the use of a prescription drug indicated for the treatment of symptoms of Parkinson’s disease.

Environmental/Toxic Tort Litigation. I have defended clients in numerous personal injury, property damage and medical monitoring lawsuits arising out of exposure to air, water, surface and subsurface pollutants or hazardous materials, including chlorinated solvents, PCBs, heavy metals, asbestos, pesticides and fungicides, biological wastes, sewage treatment emissions, hazardous consumer and workplace products, and numerous others. In several of these matters, I successfully defended against certification of plaintiff classes.

Process/Trade Secret Litigation. I have defended a variety of manufacturers against claims of trade secret misuse arising out of complex processes, engineered systems or devices. Among other matters, I prevailed on a four-week jury trial in federal court based upon the alleged misappropriation of a supervisory system accompanying an industrial dry goods packaging line.

Community Involvement:

I’m proud of my involvement in and service to the local community. I served for many years as a Warden and Senior Warden of St. Luke’s Episcopal Church in Minneapolis and was a lay member of the Standing Committee of the Episcopal Diocese of Minnesota. I’m a past President and board member of the Edina Chorale, in which I’ve sung for many years. I was also the Scoutmaster of Boy Scout Troop 48, Edina, Minnesota, a seventh- and eighth-grade football coach for the Edina Football Association, and a registered track and field official for the Minnesota State High School League.  Finally, I serve as pro bono counsel representing immigration detainees in bond/custody, removal and status/visa proceedings before the U.S. Immigration Court and the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Service.