Introduction

Joe is a senior associate in Fredrikson & Byron’s Business Litigation Group. Joe’s practice focuses on all aspects of commercial litigation, including banking litigation, oil and gas litigation, trust and estate litigation, and appellate practice. Joe represents clients in federal and state trial and appellate courts across the country. Prior to joining Fredrikson & Byron, Joe served as a judicial law clerk for the Honorable James B. Loken of the United States Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit.

Education

• University of Minnesota Law School, J.D., 2007, magna cum laude
• Creighton University, B.A., 2004, summa cum laude

Bar Admissions

• Minnesota, 2007
• U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit, 2008
• U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit, 2009
• U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit, 2010
• U.S. District Court for the District of Minnesota, 2008
• U.S. District Court for the District of North Dakota, 2009

Practice Areas

• Litigation
• Banking & Financial Services Litigation
• Oil & Gas
• Trusts & Estates Litigation
• Appellate

Representative Experience

• Served as Assistant Special Counsel to the Office of the Governor during the 2011 Minnesota state government shutdown. Represented the Office of the Governor in district court and special master hearings.
• Represents the receiver in large Ponzi scheme receivership and related fraudulent transfer actions.
• Represented subcontractor in its Miller Act lawsuit against general contractor and surety in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Georgia. Obtained summary judgment against general contractor and surety. United States ex rel. WFI Georgia, Inc. v. The Gray Ins. Co., 701 F. Supp. 2d 1320 (N.D. Ga. 2010).
• Defended oil and gas developer in case in which the plaintiffs alleged that the company was responsible for environmental damage associated with a ruptured pipeline that released in excess of one million gallons of saltwater. After discovery and motion practice, the case was resolved on favorable terms.
• Represented investment firm in a lawsuit arising out of a fraudulent loan transaction. Obtained emergency relief to secure and transfer title to loan collateral. Obtained summary judgment against defendant company and guarantor. 
• Represents financial institutions, ranging from international institutions to community banks, in defense and collection matters.
• Represented automobile insurer in federal class action lawsuit. Obtained dismissal with prejudice.
• Defended several public company clients in shareholder class action lawsuits, including expedited pre-closing / merger proceedings.

Professional Activities

• Federal Bar Association, Minnesota Chapter
• Minnesota State Bar Association
• Hennepin County Bar Association
• Adjunct Instructor, University of Minnesota Law School – Practice and Professionalism

Judicial Clerkship

• Chief Judge James B. Loken, United States Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit, 2007-2008
• Judicial Extern for Judge David S. Doty, United States District Court for the District of Minnesota, 2005

Honors & Distinctions

• Minnesota Law Review, Lead Article Editor, 2006-2007; staff member, 2005-2006
• Order of the Coif, University of Minnesota Law School

Community Involvement

• Volunteer attorney for Children’s Law Center of Minnesota