REPRESENTATIVE EXPERIENCE
Complex Litigation
Joe brings a proven record as a highly capable trial advocate and was inducted into the American College of Trial Lawyers. He has managed complex civil and criminal litigation in a variety of proceedings. He has a well-developed skill for strategic thinking and affirmative development of the client’s litigation position, including understanding the real-life dynamics that impede resolution.
- Joe has extensive in-court experience, including over two dozen jury trials as well as civil bench trials and commercial arbitration.
- He has made over 30 oral arguments before numerous appellate courts, including the Minnesota Supreme Court and the U.S. Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals, including Otto v. Wright County, et al., No. A16-1634 (Jan. 3, 2018); U.S. v. Thomas Petters, No. 10-1843 (Feb. 17, 2011); and U.S. v. Loren Jennings, No. 11-3127 (May 18, 2012). Recordings of these oral arguments and others are available on-line at www.mncourts.gov/SupremeCourt/OralArgumentWebcasts.aspx and www.ca8.uscourts.gov.
- Joe has litigated high stakes commercial disputes in state and federal courts relating to sophisticated corporate transactions and False Claims Act allegations, including an International Chamber of Commerce arbitration regarding a failed acquisition, and litigation regarding a pension asset transfer.
- Joe has also represented the Minnesota State Auditor in constitutional litigation regarding the constitutional duties of the State Auditor.
Complex Criminal and Enforcement Actions
Joe has represented large organizations and individuals defending themselves against government investigations and regulatory enforcement actions. In June 2015, the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis was criminally and civilly charged by the State of Minnesota. In December 2015, the civil litigation was settled with a landmark agreement providing for child protection protocols. In July 2016, after the exchange of briefing on a motion to dismiss, the Archdiocese and the State of Minnesota agreed to dismiss the criminal case. The case received substantial media coverage, including:
- Archdiocese moves to hire Joseph Dixon III for special criminal defense, Star Tribune, June 16, 2015
- Archdiocese asks for big-name legal help, Minnesota Public Radio, June 17, 2015
- Archdiocese, Ramsey County attorney reach unprecedented agreement in clergy sex abuse case, Star Tribune, December 18, 2015
- Archdiocese admits it mishandled abuse case: Six charges dropped in exchange for new accountability measures, Pioneer Press, July 21, 2016
Joe has represented individuals in defense against allegations ranging from large-scale federal fraud charges, state criminal charges to regulatory actions and administrative proceedings. Joe recently obtained the dismissal of all charges by the Department of Justice in a case where the DOJ had alleged Joe’s client conspired to commit a $200 million bank fraud. Joe filed numerous motions to dismiss, and ultimately, the federal prosecutors dismissed the Indictment against Joe’s client.
Joe also recently represented a city councilman who was cleared following a Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension investigation into bribery allegations.
During his tenure at the United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Minnesota, where he handled some of the most significant cases prosecuted by that Office, Joe developed a reputation as one of the leading complex criminal practitioners in the state. He has wide experience in the criminal area as well with state and federal regulators.
In his role at the U.S. Attorney’s Office, Joe:
- Acted as point of contact for federal and state law enforcement agencies investigating economic crime and public corruption, and for numerous regulatory agencies, including the United States Securities and Exchange Commission, the Minnesota Department of Commerce, and the National Securities and Commodities Fraud Working Group.
- Led multiple multi-agency working groups, including the Federal Mortgage Fraud Task Force, the Investment Fraud Working Group, and the Suspicious Activity Report Review Team.
- Handled numerous cases in all Office sections: Major Crimes; Narcotics; Fraud and Public Corruption; and National Security cases.
- Supervised the criminal prosecution of a publicly-traded company for violations of the Food, Drug and Cosmetics Act.
Joe has personally led successful prosecution of numerous, high profile cases, including:
- U.S. v. Thomas Joseph Petters, et al., multi-agency investigation of a multi-billion dollar corporate fraud and prosecution of the owner of Polaroid Corp. and Sun Country Airlines, two corporations and nine other individuals; attorney on Petters trial team in five-week jury trial resulting in convictions on all counts and a 50-year sentence; led and coordinated government response in parallel criminal, civil and bankruptcy proceedings; Petters’ conviction and sentence affirmed at 663 F.3d 375 (8th Cir. 2011)
- U.S. v. Trevor Cook, prosecution of hedge fund manager for executing $165 million fraud; defendant was sentenced to 25-years’ imprisonment
- U.S. v. Parish Marketing and Development Corp., et al., largest mortgage fraud in Minnesota history by a homebuilder involving 200+ residences and over $85 million in fraudulently obtained proceeds; seven individuals and one corporation pleaded guilty; sentences affirmed at 565 F.3d 528 (8th Cir. 2009)
Corporate/Institutional Investigations
Joe offers clients a unique combination of government and in-house, business-side legal experience. His Department of Justice (DOJ) background ensures an insider’s understanding of the proceedings and the investigative strategies employed by the government. His in-house corporate legal experience and perspective ensures an understanding and focus on the best interests of the client and its business objectives. In addition, his experience interacting with Congress during the Healthcare.Gov rollout crisis is applicable to clients managing crises in high-profile matters.
In the Fall of 2015, Joe co-led an investigation on behalf of the University of Minnesota of its Athletics Department. As part of the inquiry, the investigation interviewed over 100 witnesses, reviewed relevant documents and emails, and conducted broad surveys. At its conclusion, the team produced a report that was publicly presented to the Board of Regents and the State Legislature. The high-profile investigation attracted national media coverage, including:
- University names attorneys to investigate Athletics Department, ex-director, Star Tribune, August 14, 2015
- Minnesota athletics probe largely clears school, Chicago Tribune, Associated Press, December 8, 2015
- UMN athletics cleared of most sexual ‘climate’ issues, Pioneer Press, December 8, 2015
In 2016, Joe also represented Fagen, Inc. in an investigation into embezzlement committed by the company’s former chief financial officer who was subsequently prosecuted by the Department of Justice.
Joe’s experience also includes:
- Representing corporate officers and former executives in government and internal investigations.
- Leading organizational internal investigations into allegations involving a diverse range of sensitive subject matters, including privacy breaches, anti-corruption (Foreign Corrupt Practices Act) reviews and anti-kickback concerns.
- Managing the corporate response to significant government enforcement inquiries and False Claims Act investigations.
- Responding to Congressional inquiries, document requests and subpoenas, working with internal government affairs and communications teams; significant experience in preparing witnesses for staff briefings and committee hearings.
Professional Activities