P (612) 333-3637 // F (612) 333-1030

Eric Steinhoff and Matt Sloneker Guest Speakers at HCBA Professionalism CLE

Eric Steinhoff and Matt Sloneker were guest speakers at the April 11, 2014, Hennepin County Bar Association’s Professionalism CLE entitled “Lawyer Liability to Non-Client Third Parties”. Steinhoff and Sloneker discussed how some lawyers may have civil liability to non-clients, including the third party beneficiary rule outside the estate planning context, the implications of opinion letters, and exposures relating to fraud and aiding and abetting.

Connie Armstrong Recognized – 2014 Top Women Attorneys In Minnesota by Super Lawyers

Lind, Jensen, Sullivan & Peterson, P.A. is pleased to announce that Connie Armstrong has been recognized by Super Lawyers for inclusion in the 2014 Top Women Attorneys in Minnesota selection.

The women attorneys who were selected as 2013 Super Lawyers or Rising Stars are featured in the 2014 Top Women Attorneys in Minnesota list, which is published in the April 2014 issue of Twin Cities Business and the Minneapolis-St. Paul Magazine. Super Lawyers is a Thomson Reuters business that provides a rating service of outstanding lawyers from more than 70 practice areas, who have attained a high-degree of peer recognition and professional achievement. Rising Stars selections undergo the same selection process as Super Lawyers but recognizes attorneys who are 40 years old or younger, or have been practicing for 10 years or less. No more than 2.5% of lawyers in Minnesota are named to the Rising Stars list.

This is Connie’s second selection to the Rising Stars list and her first inclusion in the Top Women Attorneys in Minnesota list. Connie is licensed in Minnesota and practices primarily in the areas of Business Disputes, Construction Litigation, Employment Litigation, General Liability, Insurance Litigation and Professional Liability.

Lindsay Christensen Joins Lind, Jensen, Sullivan & Peterson, P.A.

Lindsay has 10 years of experience as a litigation paralegal, primarily in the areas of professional malpractice, products liability and personal injury. She has previously worked as a paralegal in Chicago, Illinois. Lindsay attended the University of Wisconsin at Milwaukee, earning a B.A. degree in Behavioral Science and Law.

Tim Jung and Matt Sloneker Present at MTA Trucking Law Conference

On March 27, 2014, Tim Jung and Matt Sloneker spoke at the Minnesota Trucking Association’s Trucking Law Conference. Tim and Matt discussed the “reptilian approach” now being utilized by personal injury plaintiffs in increasing numbers, and offered insight into how to combat such tactics. They also discussed the preparation of safety managers and drivers for depositions in this new environment.

Lind Jensen Attorneys Obtain Dismissals

Lind Jensen attorneys recently obtained dismissals of lawsuits on behalf of their clients in two separate matters.

Brian Wood and Eric Steinhoff obtained dismissal for their client in a Carver County lawsuit. The Court found their client did not have any notice of the hazard upon which Plaintiff fell. Through discovery and depositions Brian and Eric were able to establish that Plaintiff did not have sufficient evidence to meet the evidentiary standard required to overcome summary judgment. The case was dismissed with prejudice.

Brian and Eric also successfully obtained a dismissal of a strict liability claim in the wrongful death action of Olson v. Alder in Anoka County. The Court agreed that Minnesota’s dog bite statute should not apply based on the facts presented in the case. The ruling dismissed Plaintiff’s absolute liability claim against the Defendant and leaves only a negligence claim which allows comparison of fault and other defenses.

Pro Bono Activities

Eric Steinhoff and Lauren D’Cruz recently obtained the dismissal of a lawsuit against their low-income client, who was sued in a dispute over distribution of a decedent’s estate. Eric and Lauren volunteered to take the case through the Federal Bar Association’s Pro Se Project. They filed a motion to dismiss based on failure to state a claim and res judicata. Plaintiff then agreed to dismiss the case, with prejudice, with no payment by the client, who would not have been in a position to pay a judgment..

Peter Stiteler recently successfully defended a low income client, who was sued when her dog bit and injured a young boy. Peter volunteered to take the case through the Hennepin County Bar Association’s Volunteer Lawyers Network. The incident occurred in the course and scope of the client’s job, but her employer, also a defendant, declined to defend her and in fact asserted a claim against her for reimbursement of any liability the employer might have. A default judgment was eventually entered against the employer. Peter obtained dismissal of all claims against his client, with prejudice, and with no payment by the client, a low income single mom for whom a judgment would have been an extreme hardship.

Tom Jensen Appointed Chair of HCBA’s Nominating Committee

Tom Jensen was appointed chair of the Hennepin County Bar Association’s Nominating Committee that will recommend to the Board of Directors candidates to fill the association’s leadership ranks including the 2017-18 President.

National Commercial Insurer Grades Lind, Jensen, Sullivan & Peterson, P.A.

A national commercial insurer recently graded the firms counsel at 9.65 out of 10 in its yearly report card.

Tim Jung Presents at Minnesota Lodging Association Workshop

Tim Jung was a guest presenter at the MLA’s Protecting Your Property Workshop held on Thursday, February 4, 2014. Tim presented on Managing Employees after Workers’ Compensation Injuries by sharing strategies covering return to modified work, coordination with FMLA, disciplinary actions such as termination, and maintaining a productive workplace.

Tim Jung and Brian Wood Present at the Minnesota Trucking Association’s Safety Conference

Tim Jung and Brian Wood were guest presenters at the
Minnesota Trucking Association’s Safety Conference, held on January 23,
2014. Wood and Jung presented on the topic of “Preparedness – Mock
Depositions”.

Dave Bateson Appointed to MSBA Task Force

Phil Duran, President of the Minnesota State Bar Association, has appointed Lind Jensen attorney Dave Bateson to serve on the association’s Challenges to the Practice of Law Task Force. The Task Force will “explore and make recommendations as to how the MSBA can assist member lawyers in responding to emerging challenges, including though not necessarily limited to challenges posed by student-debt loads, technological changes, and activities that may represent unauthorized practice of law.” The Task Force will begin its work in February of 2014.

Matt Sloneker Presents at MDLA Mid-Winter Conference

Lind, Jensen, Sullivan & Peterson, P.A. shareholder Matt Sloneker presented at the recent Mid-Winter Conference of the Minnesota Defense Lawyers Association. Along with Crane Engineering Building Science president Stefan Helgeson, AIA, ASLA, Matt presented on the use of experts in construction defect and premises liability cases. The presentation included an overview of the various bases for liability in such cases, including statutory warranties and the Minnesota Common Interest Ownership Act, and the expert testimony needed to defend against such claims. Matt and Stefan also discussed the various types of forensic experts and their specialties, and investigation methodology, proper procedures in the testing and preservation of evidence, preparation of reports, opinions and other pertinent legal considerations in such cases. Download presentation: MDLA Winter 2014 Presentation.

Attorneys Volunteer for MSBA High School Mock Trial Competition

Lind, Jensen, Sullivan & Peterson, P.A. attorneys Maureen Alvino, Lauren D’Cruz, and Amy Lanser served as volunteer judges for the Minnesota High School Mock Trial Program this month. The Mock Trial Program is sponsored by the Minnesota State Bar Association and introduces high school students to the American legal system by providing a challenging opportunity for personal growth and achievement.

Minnesota’s Top Medium-Sized Litigation Firm – Super Lawyers® Business Edition 2013

Lind, Jensen, Sullivan & Peterson, P.A. is proud to be selected as Minnesota’s Top Medium-Sized Litigation Firm.

Mark A. Fredrickson is Elected President of MDLA

The Minnesota Defense Lawyers Association has elected Mark A. Fredrickson as President for 2013-2014. MDLA, an organization consisting of 700 members, is celebrating its 50th anniversary of serving the needs of lawyers engaging primarily in the defense and trial of civil disputes. Along with his newly elected position, Mark will continue his law practice and his role as the firm’s Managing Director. Mark is also an active member of DRI and the Federation of Defense and Corporate Counsel. Mark’s practice is primarily focused on defending insurers, insureds, municipalities and transportation companies in personal injury, products liability and workers’ compensation matters.

LJSP’s Newest Partners

Lind, Jensen, Sullivan & Peterson, P.A. is very proud to announce Connie Armstrong, a 2006 graduate of William Mitchell College of Law, and Thomas Evenson, a 2002 graduate of Hamline Law School have been elected as firm shareholders. Both practice in the litigation group, and are incredible assets to the firm.

Bob Stein Former Timberwolves CEO and Lind, Jensen, Sullivan & Peterson, P.A. client wins silica sand court battles

Firm President Rick Lind recently won two court battles in Goodhue County that involved millions of tons of frac sand. The client, Bob Stein, filed a lawsuit in March 2011 alleging that he’d been improperly cut out of a land deal after an Oklahoma energy company, Windsor Permian, purchased 94 acres near Red Wing for $1.5 million. In the court case Stein v. Wesch, et. al., a five-day jury trial ended with the jury ruling that Windsor Permian and its subsidiaries had intentionally interfered with Stein’s contract withScott and Susan Wesch. A damage determination will follow later this summer or fall. See Rick Lind’s quote in Rochester Post Bulletin.

Welcome New Associates

David M. Bateson and John Medeiros have joined the firm as associate attorneys practicing in our litigation and workers’ compensation groups. Dave is a 2000 graduate of the University of Minnesota Law School and former Dean of Students at the University of St. Thomas. John is a 2008 graduate of the University of Minnesota and clerked for the Honorable John Rotenberg at the Minnesota Court of Appeals.

Thomas Jensen was elected President of the Hennepin County Bar Association

Thomas D. Jensen was elected President of the Hennepin County Bar Association for the 2012-2013 term. As President he will represent 8,500 attorneys with a variety of services for the community and profession. With his knowledge and eagerness he will strive to ensure justice and accessibility of the legal system. Tom will work beside the courts to progress the administration of justice by promoting public perceptive and confidence in our system.

Tom has numerous professional affiliations such as Academy of Certified Trial Lawyers of Minnesota, Dean, 2010-2011; American Board of Trial Advocates, Advocate, 2010-present; Professional Liability Defense Federation, Co-founder, 2009-present; DRI, ADR Committee Chair and Vice Chair, 2008-2012; Douglas K. Amdahl Inn of Court, President, 2005-2006; National Board of Trial Advocacy, Civil Trial Advocate, 1999-present; Hennepin County Bar Association, Executive Committee Member, 2009-present; and Minnesota, North Dakota, and Wisconsin State Bar Associations.

In Memory of Our Friend, Partner and Legend, Ted Sullivan

On December 15, 2009, our friend and partner Ted Sullivan died unexpectedly. Ted was a devoted husband, proud father, caring friend, trusted mentor, and an exceptional lawyer. His partners and colleagues at Lind, Jensen, Sullivan & Peterson received words of comfort from countless lawyers and judges, all of whom had their own “Ted stories.” The firm and Ted’s family appreciate all the support and kind words they received.