Litigation

With over 80 attorneys, our Litigation group is one of the largest and most experienced in the Upper Midwest. In addition to trying cases in the state and federal courts, our attorneys also litigate before domestic and international arbitration tribunals and administrative agencies.

MAIN CONTACTS

Sten-Erik Hoidal

Leah C. Janus

Gregory E. Karpenko

Nicole M. Moen

RELATED AREAS

See complete list of Services below.

FEATURES

Fredrikson & Byron Captures Two Iowa Supreme Court Wins in Favor of Wind Energy Development

What We Do

Every day, thousands of individuals and businesses face lawsuits – and the possibility of extended courtroom battles. When those prospective clients seek counsel, they want more than just aggressive representation. They want an attorney that has the experience and judgment to guide them to the best resolution possible, whether that be through settlement or trial. In short, they want attorneys who have a proven track record of success.

At Fredrikson & Byron, we deliver on both counts. With over 80 attorneys, our Litigation group is one of the largest and most experienced in the Upper Midwest. In addition to trying cases in the state and federal courts, our attorneys also litigate before domestic and international arbitration tribunals and administrative agencies. Because we have substantial experience in a wide range of litigation focus areas, including the emerging area of electronic discovery, our attorneys are frequently called upon to represent clients in highly complex local, national and international disputes. In each case, our goal remains the same: To achieve the best possible outcome for clients through aggressive, experienced and ethical representation.

Services:

Our Litigation practice group offers a comprehensive range of services, including:

Alternative Dispute Resolution
Antitrust Litigation
Appellate
Arbitration & Mediation
Artificial Intelligence
Banking & Financial Services Litigation
Bankruptcy, Restructuring & Workouts
Class Action/Wage and Hour Litigation
Collective Actions
Commercial Litigation
Communications, Media & Entertainment Litigation
Construction Disputes
Contract Litigation
Corporate Sustainability & Social Responsibility
Director & Officer Liability
E-Discovery Strategy & Advocacy
Condemnation & Eminent Domain
Employment & Labor Litigation
Energy Regulation & Permitting
Environmental and Land Use Disputes
Franchise Litigation
Government Contracts & Grants
Government and Regulatory Cases
Health Licensing Defense
Insurance and Indemnification Cases
Intellectual Property Litigation
Internal Investigations
Medical Practices Defense
Non-Competes
Product Liability Cases
Professional Malpractice
Restrictive Covenants
Securities Litigation
Shareholder Derivative Lawsuits
Shareholder & Partnership Disputes
Tax Disputes
Trade Secrets
Trusts & Estates Litigation
Unfair Competition
White Collar & Regulatory Defense

Experience

Starting in 2014, we defended Hormel Foods Corporation in Minnesota Federal Court against claims that it misappropriated trade secrets, and breached multiple contracts with the plaintiff related to a failed joint development program. At the center of the lawsuit was Hormel’s innovative and revolutionary new process for making a next generation of pre-cooked bacon Hormel markets under the brand Bacon1. The plaintiff sought damages in excess of $60 million. After two years of litigation, Fredrikson’s litigation team defeated each of the plaintiff’s claims on summary judgment. The Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals affirmed Hormel’s victory in 2018, and the District Court subsequently awarded Hormel over $800,000 in fees and costs in defending the lawsuit. Fredrikson is also representing Hormel in two patent infringement lawsuits filed in 2018 relating to this hybrid bacon cooking process technology, and has already defeated the infringement claims in one of those lawsuits.
Fredrikson & Byron Captures Two Iowa Supreme Court Wins in Favor of Wind Energy Development. Click here for more information.
Fredrikson & Byron Obtains $12.8 Million Award for H.B. Fuller Company (NYSE: FUL) in an arbitration against the consulting company Accenture for failing to lead H.B. Fuller’s global ERP (enterprise resource planning software) implementation. Click here for more information.
Fredrikson & Byron Represents City of New Brighton in Contamination Settlement with U.S. Army. Click here for more information.

News & Articles

Fredrikson & Byron Captures Two Iowa Supreme Court Wins in Favor of Wind Energy Development

May 8, 2019

Fredrikson & Byron attorneys Bret A. Dublinske and Brant M. Leonard captured victories in two separate cases before the Iowa Supreme Court on May 3, 2019.

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Fredrikson & Byron’s Annual Judges Panel & Reception

March 19, 2019

On April 24, 2019, Fredrikson & Byron’s Litigation Group presented a moderated panel discussion with United States District Court Magistrate Judges Bowbeer, Thorson, Menendez and Wright.

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Fredrikson & Byron’s Annual Judges Panel & Reception

April 10, 2018

Fredrikson presented a moderated panel discussion for practicing lawyers regarding district court and appellate practice with Minnesota Court of Appeals Judges on May 15.

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Fredrikson & Byron Represents City of New Brighton in Contamination Settlement with U.S. Army

February 5, 2015

Fredrikson & Byron represented the City of New Brighton in achieving a $59.4 million settlement with the United States Army.

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Former McDermott Will & Emery Partner Joins Fredrikson & Byron

January 19, 2015

Attorney Aron J. Frakes joins Fredrikson & Byron’s Litigation Group as an officer. Frakes was most recently a litigation partner in the Chicago office of McDermott Will & Emery. Frakes represents clients in a wide variety of disputes, including large contract disputes, product liability defense, class action defense, fraud and conspiracy cases, consumer fraud actions, construction litigation, professional engineering malpractice defense, and toxic tort mass actions. Frakes is licensed to practice in Illinois and is in the process of applying to be licensed in Minnesota.

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Grant Fairbairn Named Chair of the MN Intellectual Property Law Association’s Patent Litigation – ADR – CAFC Committee

February 19, 2014

Fredrikson & Byron attorney Grant D. Fairbairn was recently appointed to Chair of the Minnesota Intellectual Property Law Association’s Patent Litigation – ADR – CAFC Committee.

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Jeffrey Post Joins Gulf Coast National Institute of Trial Advocacy (NITA) Faculty

February 2, 2014

NITA selected Jeffrey to join the faculty of NITA Gulf Coast Regional Trial Advocacy Training Program.

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Our Team