Our Team

About

Jeffrey C. Brown is an intellectual property attorney with Sapientia Law Group. In addition to his law degree, he has earned his B.S. in Microbiology and his M.B.A. in Business Management.

Jeff is a registered Patent Attorney and focuses his practice in the areas of patents, trademarks, copyrights, and trade secrets, including procuring intellectual property rights and resolving those rights in litigation. He has also developed substantial expertise and regularly counsels clients on IP licensing and ownership issues. Prior to joining Sapientia, Jeff practiced with large and small firms in the Minneapolis-St. Paul area.

Jeff also serves as a Conciliation Court Judge in Hennepin County and as an Adjunct Professor of Law at William Mitchell College of Law. Jeff has professional experience outside of law in the chemical, food, and pharmaceutical industries where he worked for twelve years. Jeff brings his understanding of these industries and business in general to the table when counseling his clients on both IP and general commercial matters. In 2003, Jeff was named a “Rising Star” by Minnesota Law & Politics magazine.

• Memberships, Affiliations, and Professional Activities

  American Bar Association
  National Bar Association
  Minnesota State Bar Association
  Hennepin County Bar Association
  Georgia Bar Association
  Atlanta Bar Association
  Former Member, Council on Black Minnesotans
  Former Chairman of the Board of Directors, Minneapolis Urban League – 1999 — 2002
  Former Chairman of Hennepin County Bar Association Diversity Committee – 2004 — 2005
  Adjunct Professor of Law, William Mitchell College of Law, Summer 2009–2011

• Publications and Presentations

  Author, Law Protection That Lasts, Architect, February 2008.

  Author, Yours, Truly, Why bother to register designs with the U.S. copyright office? An attorney breaks it down, Architect, September 2007.

  Author, Too Close for Comfort, A high-profile copyright infringement case shows how courts think about architecture, Architect, November 2007.

  Speaker, Protecting Your Clients’ Content: The IP Challenges of Music, Media and Business Practice in Cyberspace, Liability on the Internet: File Sharing and Beyond, Hamline Spring IP Symposium, May 10, 2007.

  Author, Chirco et al. v. Crosswinds Communities, Inc., et al., Architect, March 2007.

  Author, Copyright Infringement Liability for Video-Sharing Networks, Intellectual Property Litigation, ABA Section of Litigation, Vol. 18, No. 2, Winter 2007.

  Author, Mixed Results When U.S. IP Law Goes Traveling Abroad, Executive Counsel, Vol. 4, No. 1, January/February 2007.

  Author, William Hablinski Architecture v. Amir Construction: Copyright case highlights subjective aspect of calculating damages, Architect, February 2007.

  Author, Copyright Infringement Liability for Video Sharing Networks: Grokster Redux or Breaking New Ground under the Digital Millennium Copyright Act, The Computer & Internet Lawyer, Vol. 23, No. 12, December 2006.

  Speaker, Parody as a Fair Use Defense to Copyright Infringement, AIPLA Copyright Road Show, June 13, 2003.

  Speaker, Elimination of Racial and Ethnic Bias in the Profession, Minnesota Intellectual Property Law Association CLE, March 2001, 2003, and 2005.

  Author, Patents; Copyright; Cyberspace, 15 Intellectual Property Journal 263 (2000)

  Speaker, American Inventors Protection Act of 1999, National Bar Association, Intellectual Property Law Section, July 2000

J.D., Indiana University—Maurer School of Law (1995)
B.S., Indiana University, Bloomington, Microbiology (1980)
M.B.A., Houston Baptist University, Management (1986)

Court Admissions

Minnesota
Georgia
U.S. Patent and Trademark Office
U.S. District Court, District of Minnesota
U.S. District Court, District of North Dakota
U.S. District Court, Western District of Wisconsin
U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Wisconsin
U.S. District Court, District of Colorado
U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit
U.S. Court of Appeals for the First Circuit
U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit

Honors/Distinctions

“Minnesota Rising Star” by Law & Politics (2003)

Personal

Favorite travel spot: US Virgin Islands
Favorite sport: Football
Theme song: “Peter Gunn” by Henri Mancini
(Previously) Little Known Fact: Worked as a carnival barker as a kid at the Indiana State Fair (“Step Right Up and Try Your Luck…!”)
Favorite part of being a lawyer: Despite its now negative connotation thanks to Charlie Sheen: Winning!
Favorite charity or non-profit: St. Jude Children’s Hospital

Jon is a highly decorated attorney.  He has been named a “Rising Star” by Minnesota Law and Politics five times (2002, 2003, 2007, 2008, 2009), and named one of ten “Up and Coming Attorneys” by Minnesota Lawyer  in 2002.  In 2007 Jon also won the Raeder Larson Public Service Award for outstanding service to the public through pro bono legal work.  For his pro bono efforts on behalf of individuals that had been on the I-35W bridge when it collapsed.  In 2009, Jon was a recipient of the Minnesota State Bar Association’s most prestigious honor, the Professional Excellence Award, which is awarded annually to the members who have demonstrated substantial efforts to advance the legal profession and the administration of justice.

Jon’s strong belief in helping those without the means to receive adequate representation has led him to assist in several high profile pro bono matters, including freeing a death row inmate in Texas, helped several debtors through complex bankruptcy proceedings, and representing victims of the I-35W bridge collapse.

Jon is committed to improving his profession.  Throughout his entire career, he has been active in the state and county bar associations, and is currently on the presidential-leadership track for the Hennepin County Bar Foundation, the charitable arm of the local county bar association.  Jon also shares his knowledge of the law as an Adjunct Professor at William Mitchell College of Law teaching a seminar regarding product liability.

Jon likes to have lots of fun. He is an avid Packer and Badger fan, and enjoys the pain that the Wisconsin teams inflict upon us here in Minnesota.  When not cheering for his teams, Jon is an avid foodie.  In fact, Jon even runs a dining club where the group experiences new restaurants.  He is also passionate food critic.  Finally, Jon was once a juggler and magician—performing for children’s birthday parties!  He does his best to sharpen those skills with his two young boys.

• Representative Experience
  • Honeywell v. Lutz Roofing Company, Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals, 2011: Successfully obtained affirmance holding that client was entitled to indemnity and insurance from subcontractor in construction matter.
    
  • Cleary v. Honeywell, Supreme Court of New York, 2003: Obtained summary judgment dismissal for temperature controller manufacturer in scald case.
  • Allstate Insurance Co. v. Empire Comfort Systems, Inc., State of Minnesota District Court, 2003: Successfully defended furnace manufacturer in products liability trial.
  • Siemens Transp. Systems, Inc. v. Metropolitan Council, 2001 WL 682892 (Minn. Ct. App. June 19, 2001): Fought off bid protest in trial regarding light rail vehicles in Minneapolis.
  • Reynolds v. Pennsylvania Higher Educ. Assistance Agency, 425 F.3d 526 (8th Cir. 2005), cert. denied, Educational Credit Management Corp. v. Reynolds, 127 S.Ct. 46 (2006): Won trial and two appeals resulting in discharge of debtor’s student loans. See Jonathan Strauss is Honored for Pro Bono Service. As a result of Jon’s work on this case, he was awarded the Raeder Larson Public Service Award by the Minnesota State Bar Association.
  • AEI Net Lease Income and Growth Fund XX Limited Partnership v. Anthony R. Alvarez, 2001 WL 710587 (Minn. Ct. App. June 26, 2001): Successfully argued before state appellate court in commercial landlord collections dispute.
  • Guy v. Cockrell, 343 F.3d 348 (5th Cir. 2003): Defended Texas defendant in federal habeas appeal, eventually resulting in his removal from death row.
• Professional Recognition
  2009 recipient of the Minnesota State Bar Association’s most prestigious honor, the Professional Excellence Award, which is awarded annually to the members who have demonstrated substantial efforts to advance the legal profession and the administration of justice.2007 recipient of the Raeder Larson Public Service Award from the Bankruptcy Section of the Minnesota State Bar Association. This award recognizes outstanding service to the public through pro bono legal services and honors the recipient’s dedication to a system providing equal justice for all.“Up & Coming Attorneys” Award — One of 10 selected by Minnesota Lawyerfor 2002Rising Star — Selected by Minnesota Law & Politics for 2002, 2003, 2007 — 2009

• Memberships
  Hennepin County Bar Association
  Board of Directors, 2003 — 2010
  Co-Chair, Litigation Committee, 2004 — 2006
  Chair, Finance and Planning Committee, 2007 — 2008Hennepin County Bar Foundation
  Board of Directors 2009 — present
  Treasurer (Presidential track) 2010 — 2011Minnesota State Bar Associations
  Assembly Member, 2004 — 2008, 2010
  Legislative Committee, 2004 — 2006
  General Policy Committee, 2006 — 2008, 2010
  Speaker — Bankruptcy Section October 1999 — Student Loan Discharges
• Civic Involvement
  Member, Jewish Community Relations Council/Domestic & Civic Affairs Commission — 2000
  Treasurer, Dan Rogan for Robbinsdale City Council — 2004
  Adjunct Professor, William Mitchell College of Law, Business Practicum 2008

Court Admissions
State of Minnesota, 1997
U.S. District Court, District of Minnesota, 1997
U.S. Court of Appeals, Eighth Circuit, 1999
Supreme Court of the United States, 2006

Personal
Favorite Travel Spot: Bora Bora
Favorite Sport: Baseball
Theme Song: “I’ll Sleep When I’m Dead” by Warren Zevon
(Previously) Little Known Fact: Is not really a big fan of spiders
Favorite Part of Being a Lawyer: An intense oral argument
Favorite Charity or Non-profit: Admission Possible
Friends Describe You As: Passionate about life and loyal

Lorenz (or “Larry”) began his career as a litigator in 1977 in Marshalltown, Iowa, and enjoyed the baptism by fire experienced by those who find themselves a few months from law school immediately trying cases before not one but two judges who would later be appointed to the Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals. He heeded Greeley’s admonition and moved from Iowa to California, practicing at a noted construction defect firm in San Diego, and from there moved back to the Midwest, practicing with the Minneapolis law firms of Lockridge Grindal Nauen, Parsinen Kaplan Rosberg & Gotlieb, and Holstein Law Group. He is admitted to practice in Minnesota, Iowa, California, the Eighth and Ninth Circuit Courts of Appeal, the U.S. Supreme Court, and select tribal courts in Minnesota.

Larry took a writer’s retreat in 2002 to the extreme, and began writing fiction and installing wood floors. Since then, he received several awards, including Honorable Mention in the 2002–2003 Loft Mentor Series; second place in the 2003 SASE/Ache Literary Magazine Annual Fiction Contest for the short story “in the i of my dog” (yes, he does have a dog); and Honorable Mention in the 2004 Writer’s Digest 73rd Annual Writing Competition (over 18,000 entries) for the short story “The Speckled Tongue.”

Larry was raised on a farm and still farms in both Iowa and Minnesota. He graduated from the University of Iowa in 1973, with a B.A. in English; received his law degree, with distinction, from the University of Iowa in 1976; and now lives in St. Paul with his dog Scooter, his mother Bonnie Belle, and his daughter Cora Belle.

Court Admissions
State of Minnesota
State of Iowa
State of California
U.S. Court of Appeals, Eighth Circuit
U.S. Court of Appeals, Ninth Circuit
U.S. Supreme Court

Personal
Favorite travel spot: Any place between here and the Rockies, especially northwestern Nebraska (don’t laugh if you’ve never been there!)
Favorite sport: Any kind of racing.
Theme song: The Unclouded Day
Favorite part of being a lawyer: Helping my client win the lawsuit, of course, but also taking that stress out of my client’s life, and hopefully finding that one case that really makes a difference.
Favorite Charity or Non-Profit: Church
Friends Describe Me As: Intense, Technical, and Analytical
Favorite Quote: “Go west, young man, go west!“
(Previously) Little Known Fact: I like horses and rode every day when I was younger and had a horse, a standardbred bay I bought injured off the track and kept on our farm to herd cattle and scare the daylights out of me and my friends.  With him I raced the neighboring quarter horses and he was never beaten in any distance over a half mile.  I named him Tony after my Uncle, who was a bouncer and a schoolteacher.

Commercial Litigation
Matt is an experienced litigator who has achieved successful outcomes for his clients at both the trial court and appellate court levels, including having first chaired several jury trials involving product liability/defect claims and handled the successful appeal of two cases before the Wisconsin Supreme Court.

Business and Personal Planning for Healthcare Professionals
A substantial portion of Matt’s practice consists of the representation of dentists, physicians, and specialty practitioners. Matt has served as legal counsel to healthcare practice groups and individual practitioners since 2006. He has represented individual healthcare professionals in relation to employment agreements, employment terminations, non-compete litigation, professional firm start-ups, and practice acquisitions. As these individuals grew into management roles within their respective practice groups, Matt has continued these relationships and represents healthcare practice groups in business matters that include the hiring and firing of employees, the preparation of contracts and service agreements, and planning for practice owner transitions or dissolution. In this respect, Matt endeavors to serve the entire “life cycle” of the healthcare professional. Matt draws on his litigation background in his practice as a transactional and planning attorney, anticipating the issues and provisions that are most apt to lead to future dispute and addressing each proactively at the drafting level.

Estate Planning and Administration
Matt’s other professional focus includes estate planning (wills and trusts) and estate administration. Matt offers sophisticated, yet practical and approachable, assistance to individuals and families as they plan for incapacity, death, taxes, the care of children or loved ones, and the efficient transfer or preservation of assets. Matt frequently speaks on estate planning topics to groups in the Twin Cities and greater Minnesota where he stresses the importance of planning, regardless of the size or value of assets in the estate. Matt offers significant experience in the following:

• Representing individuals (with estates ranging from small to very large, and from simple to complex) in all aspects of their estate and trust planning.
• Representation of individual and corporate fiduciaries in estate administration proceedings.
• Establishment of family limited partnerships and family limited liability companies for asset protection, asset management and tax planning.

Court Admissions
Minnesota (2005-present)
Wisconsin (2002–2009)
Illinois (2005–2008)

Personal
Favorite travel spot: The Oregon Coast, where I had the opportunity to live and study in ’97. Around every corner is a postcard photo opportunity, and you can surf and ski in the same day.
Favorite sports: Skiing and cycling.
Favorite theme song: Magnum P.I. The best song, the best show, and the best moustache of 80’s television programming.
(Previously) little known fact: I love to cook and have “Matt’s Ultimate” recipes for everything from lasagna to chicken tikka masala
Favorite charity or non-profit: The Wills for Heroes Foundation, a program that provides pro bono estate planning services to police and fire rescue teams.

Sarah is an attorney and executive coach with Sapientia Law Group. Her unique and impressive history of experience provide her with invaluable insight both in legal matters and in consulting.

Legal Experience

Sarah first began her legal career practicing law at Faegre & Benson in its banking department. She later moved from private practice to the in-house position of Senior Corporate Counsel at U.S. Bank, the fifth largest financial services company in the country. At U.S. Bank, Sarah served as its primary international lawyer.

Later in her career, Sarah (a member of the Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe) was appointed to serve as a leader of that Band in the role of CEO of the Corporate Commission of the Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe (d/b/a Grand Casinos MN). In that capacity, Sarah was responsible for all the commercial affairs of the tribe, including operation of casinos, hotels, golf clubs, resorts, retail stores, and many other related businesses.

The gamut of Sarah’s legal experience does not end there. Sarah has also served as Adjunct Faculty at the William Mitchell School of Law. Currently, Sarah’s legal practice focuses on commercial finance/banking law, Indian law, employment law, and international law.

Executive Coaching

In the last two years, Sarah has decided to re-channel her energies and talents to develop yet another area of expertise. To that end, Sarah completed formal coach training from The Coaches Training Institute in California, and has been coaching numerous executives and business leaders on how to improve and enhance their professional and personal lives in the areas of productivity, management, career satisfaction, and personal growth.

Sarah is an avid seeker of the human spirit and a strong facilitator of enjoying life to the fullest. Her coaching has been consistently described as providing a safe insightful space for clients to be seen, heard and inspired.

• Membership and Affiliations
  • Society of Human Resources Management (SHRM) — Member

  • Minnesota Coaches Association — Member
  • International Coaches Federation — Member, Certified Personal Coach
  • Twin Cities Human Resource Association (TCHRA) — Member
  • Minnesota American Indian Bar Association (MAIBA) — Member, former Vice-President, Treasurer, Board of Directors, Scholarship Golf Tournament Chair
  • Minnesota Association of Black Lawyers (MABL) — Member, former Vice-President & Board of Directors
  • Lyon College Alumni Association — Former President, Vice-President, Executive Committee

  • American Bar Association (ABA) — Member of Labor & Employment Division, Letter of Credit Subcommittee, former Law Student Division
  • Hennepin County Bar Association (HCBA) — Member, former Board of Directors
  • Minnesota State Bar Association (MSBA) — Member, former Assembly, Governance Committee, Diversity Committee
• Presentations and Publications
  • Co-Leader, “Lean into Connection” (semi-public workshop on connecting with others more efficiently & effectively during our busy lives, January 2011)
  • Panelist, “Candid Advice for New Lawyers” (Minnesota CLE, January 2009, July 2009)
  • Panelist, “Retention & Beyond: Diversity Challenges & Solutions in Minnesota’s Legal Workplaces” (Minnesota CLE and Minnesota State Bar Association Diversity Committee, 2004)
  • Sarah Oquist, Reproduction Constitutes a Major Life Activity under the ADA: Implications of the Supreme Court’s Decision in Bragdon v. Abbott, 32 Creighton Law Review 1357 (1999)
• Civic Involvement
  • Volunteer Lawyers Network, Volunteer Employment Law monthly phone advice team
  • Lyon College Board of Trustees — Executive Board, Student Life Committee Chair, Personnel Committee; former positions —  Institutional Advancement Committee, College President Search Committee, Church Relations Committee, Trustee Membership Committee
  • Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe — Standing Finance Review Committee responsible for providing advice to Treasurer/Secretary of the Tribe
  • Creighton University Alumni Advisory Council — Former Member
  • Minnesota Indian Women’s Resource Clinic — Former volunteer
  • Youth Empowerment Summit (Minneapolis) — Panelist
  • Christ Presbyterian Church — Member; former positions: Deacon, Wedding Coordinator

• Certified Professional Co-Active Coach, The Coaches Training Institute

• Certified Facilitator, The Leadership Circle Profile (360° leadership development & assessment system)

• Graduate, The Coaches Training Institute’s ten-month Leadership Development Program

• Graduate, University of Nevada Reno’s Executive Development Program in Critical Issues & Strategic Planning

• J.D., cum laude, Creighton University School of Law
–Creighton Law Review: Assistant Editor
–Negotiation Competition: School & Regional Finalist, National Qualifier, Student Team Coach, Board Officer
–Client Counseling Competition: School & Regional Finalist, Board Officer, Tournament Director

• B.A., English, Lyon College
–Sigma Tau Delta (English honor society)

Honors and Distinctions

• Minnesota’s Top 20 “Up & Coming” Lawyers (2007), awarded by Minnesota Law & Politics

• Patterson Decade Award (2003), awarded to two Lyon College alumni for distinguished achievement in their chosen field

• Outstanding Leadership within the University & Community Award (1999), awarded to one student from all seven Creighton University professional schools for distinguished leadership

• Outstanding Service to the School of Law Award (1999), awarded by law school faculty to one student for distinguished service to the law school

Court Admissions
State of Minnesota
U.S. District Court, Minnesota

Personal
Favorite travel spot: Africa
Favorite sport: Golf
Theme Song: “Come from the Heart” by Kathy Mattea
(Previously) Little Known Fact: To date, only enrolled member of the Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe to obtain law degree
Favorite Part of Being a Lawyer: solving problems for others so they can focus on their vocation and enjoy their lives more fully
Favorite Charity or Non-Profit: it’s difficult to choose a favorite

Chris is a true business-minded attorney, having experience in corporate management and state government financial oversight and compliance prior to commencing private legal practice. He uses his management and accounting background to find true business-oriented solutions. Chris embraces close relationships with many clients — often providing continuous general legal counseling and advising from entity formation through growth stages and financing activities to owners’ succession and other liquidity events.

Chris loves teamwork and mixing efficient and effective solutions with fun, and he has a wide variety of life experiences to prove it. Chris graduated high school less than two months after turning sixteen (that’s efficiency!), and the next year he played American football professionally in France. Outside of his legal practice, Chris enjoys traveling as often as possible with his daughter and joining friends for water-related activities, including happy hours at many local watering holes.

• Representative Experience
  Transaction-Based 

  • Assisted client with purchase of resort property in northern Minnesota.
  • Assisted client with formation of company and service agreement to provide IT support to national fitness company.
  • Assisted client with formation of entity and joint venture agreement with multi-national conglomerate.
  • Prepared workout/forbearance documents for lender with four related borrowers involving six loans totaling $2.9 million secured by various parcels of commercial and residential real property.
  • Prepared loan documents for single transaction involving two loans totaling $2.8 million secured by charter school property in central Minnesota.
  • Prepared loan documents for $1.8 million construction and development loan originated secured by commercial/retail property in the suburban Twin Cities.
  • Prepared loan documents for single transaction involving two loans totaling $4.6 million secured by hotel property in the suburban Twin Cities.
  • Prepared loan documents for transaction involving assumption of a $1.75 million loan and the origination of two loans totaling $1.4 million secured by an assisted living facility and residential development property located in the suburban Twin Cities.
  • Assisted in representation of lender in a workout/loan modification of $6.2 million in related loans secured by commercial property in south suburban Twin Cities and assisted lender with engagement of receiver for property to have rents pay past due property taxes and insurance.
  • Represented lender in a workout/foreclosure of $1.8 million of multiple loans secured by a meat processing facility in southern Minnesota. Assisted lender in subsequent sale of property.
  • Prepared loan documents for origination of $16.0 million loan to refinance and develop first phase of largest development of commercial, single-family and community property building lots on the west coast of U.S.
  • Prepared loan documents for origination of separate multi-million dollar loans in various states including Arkansas, California, Minnesota, Nevada, North Dakota, Tennessee, Utah and Wisconsin.

  Litigation-Based

  • Successfully secured proper valuation of client’s claim in Chapter 13 case in U.S. Bankruptcy Court.
  • Successfully defended summary judgment award in Minnesota Court of Appeals.
  • Successful loan recovery and foreclosure activities for commercial clients and financial institutions.
  • Navigated commercial clients through contract disputes and industry-specific regulatory compliance.

Bachelor of Accounting, University of Minnesota-Duluth (1994)

Court Admissions

State of Minnesota, 2001
State of Wisconsin, 2010
US District Court for the District of Minnesota, 2009

Personal
Favorite travel spot: Vancouver, BC
Favorite sport: All team sports
Theme song: Vikingman by Rodrigo y Gabriela
(Previously) little known fact: 15 years old during first 8 months of senior year of high school
Favorite part of being a lawyer: Helping others
Favorite charity or non-profit: Birthday Buddies

In addition to practicing law at a large national firm, Kenn’s work experience prior to joining Sapientia includes working for a Fortune 1000 company in a sales capacity. His role involved developing strategies to increase sales and implementing those plans to increase market share and grow the company. As a result of his business sense and entrepreneurial spirit, Kenn is well equipped to assist clients in crafting business-minded solutions to every day legal problems.

Kenn likes to have fun, and does a myriad of different things to accomplish that. He rides Harleys, is an amateur musician, and is a die-hard sports fan. He also loves the State Fair, and eating all the great Fair food. Finally, he loves to patronize local establishments to enjoy good food and drink with friends.

M.A. Sociology, The University of Texas-Austin (2005)

B.A. Anthropology, The University of California-Berkeley (2002)

Court Admissions
Minnesota
United States District Court, District of Minnesota
United States District Court, Eastern District of Wisconsin

Memberships and Affiliations
Hennepin County Bar Association, Board of Directors
Minnesota State Bar Association
National Asian Pacific American Bar Association

Japanese American Citizens League, Board of Directors
Texas Exes, University of Texas Alumni Association, Life Member

Personal
Favorite Travel Spot: Edinburgh, Scotland
Favorite Sport: Baseball
Theme Song: Dream Big, by Ryan Shupe and the Rubberband
Little Known Fact: I once had lunch with a group of Secret Service Agents attached to former Vice President Al Gore.
Favorite Part of Being a Lawyer: The thrill of the courtroom!
Favorite charity or non-profit: Young Life

Before joining Sapientia, Diana worked for over 26 years at a large Minneapolis-based international law firm.  Before that, she clerked for Justice John E. Simonett of the Minnesota Supreme Court.

For the past three years Diana has been recognized in Best Lawyers in America for her work in insurance law.

Born and raised in the badlands of Southeastern Montana, Diana followed her father’s, grandfather’s and great-great uncle’s footsteps in becoming a lawyer.  As the mother of three children, she also followed her mother’s, grandmother’s and great-great grandmother’s footsteps as a homemaker.  While that might sound like a lot of footsteps to follow, Diana believes she has the best of both worlds.  At times she can be overheard humming “When it’s Springtime in the Rockies” and “My Home’s in Montana,” though she insists that she loves her Plymouth, Minnesota neighborhood as well.

• Memberships/Affiliations
  American Bar Association
  Minnesota State Bar Association
• Representative Experience
  • Seroquel Litigation:  National defense of AstraZeneca in mass tort litigation alleging health complications from use of a second-generation anti-psychotic medication indicated for treatment of bipolar disorders and schizophrenia
  • Zelnorm Litigation:  National defense of Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation in mass tort litigation alleging cardiac complications from use of a medication indicated to treat certain gastrointestinal symptoms
  • Royal Indemnity v. C.H. Robinson Worldwide (Minnesota 2008): MN Court of Appeals:  2009 WL 2149637; Review denied by MN Supreme Court: 2009 Minn. LEXIS 673
  • ELCA v. OneBeacon et al. (Illinois and Texas, 2005)
  • Garcia v. 3M (Ohio 2006)
  • Justice v. Schmidt (Minnesota 2007)
  • Medmarc v. Sorin (Minnesota 2006)
  • Musch v. Technical Ordnance Inc. (South Dakota 2005)
  • Pacific v. Burnet Title (Minnesota 2005)
  • Wang v. Six Flags (Ohio 2006)
  • Brockman v. Sun Valley Resorts, Inc., 923 F. Supp. 1176 (D. Minn. 1996)
  • Moxness v. Teachers’ Retirement Fund Ass’n, 2002 WL 264603 (Minn. App., Feb 26, 2002) (NO. C3-01–1321)
  • Old Republic Inc. Co. v. Brownlee & Hayes, Inc., 1998 WL 328400 (Minn. App., Jun 23, 1998) (NO. CX-97–2024)
  • Regent Ins. Co. v. City of Manitowoc, 556 N.W.2d 405 (Wis. App. 1996)
• Publications
  • “Are You Insured?,” Ag Professional Magazine (2010)
  • “Insurance Law for Climate Related Claims,” LexisNexis (2010)
  • “Fire & Property Insurance,” MN Insurance Law Deskbook (biennially)
  • “Managing Business Insurance,” Trends (February 2002)
  • “Key Elements of Insurance Coverage,” Trends (June 2001)
  • “An Introduction to U.S. Product Liability Law,” UK Department of Trade & Industry (1998)

Bar Admissions
Minnesota

Court Admissions
State of Minnesota
U.S. Court of Appeals, Eighth Circuit
U.S. District Court, Minnesota
U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Michigan

Personal
Favorite Travel Spot: Anywhere near the seashore or mountains
(Previously) Little Known Fact: Swimming in glacier-fed lakes
Favorite Part of Being a Lawyer: Helping clients and colleagues solve problems
Favorite Charity or Non-profit: The Cookie Cart
Friends Describe You As: Not your typical lawyer

Lori Semke brings a wide variety of professional experiences to Sapientia Law Group, from working in a medium-sized Minneapolis law firm to advocating for children in the non-profit legal services community. In her first eight years practicing law, Lori gained considerable experience litigating product liability matters, commercial disputes, construction cases, insurance defense cases, and contract disputes, as well as handling trademark enforcement matters, for Fortune 500 companies. Lori enjoys all aspects of developing a case – evaluating facts, developing a strategy, coordinating discovery, negotiating on behalf of clients, and preparing for trial – but enjoys perhaps most of all developing and fine-tuning a winning persuasive argument in pleadings, motions, memoranda of law and appellate briefs. Having come from a family of writers and journalists, Lori is a firm believer in the power of the written word.

Before joining Sapientia, Lori spent three years at the Children’s Law Center of Minnesota (CLC) representing and advocating for children in the foster care system. In addition to direct representation of children and overseeing volunteer attorneys, as Program Director for Systemic Reform, Lori steered the organization’s policy objectives, successfully drafting legislation and lobbying for changes to Minnesota’s child protection laws. She also managed educational training and outreach programs, and represented CLC in coalitions fighting to improve the lives of abused and neglected children. She intends to continue her commitment to helping children through pro bono work and handling cases focused on protecting the best interests of children.

Lori has been active in the legal community throughout her career. She has held numerous leadership positions in county and state bar associations, including Chair of the Hennepin County Bar Association (HCBA) New Lawyers Section, Chair of the HCBA Community Relations Committee, and Chair of the Minnesota State Bar Association’s (MSBA) Convention Planning Committee. She has served on the HCBA Executive Committee, Board of Directors and Finance & Planning Committee, and on the MSBA Children & the Law Section Council. Lori has also been a member of The Hennepin Lawyer Committee since 2003, editing several issues of the publication over the years.

Her commitment to serving both her clients and the legal community has earned Lori several accolades. She has been named a Rising Star by Minnesota Law & Politics every year since 2005, and was named one of 20 “Up & Coming Attorneys” by The Minnesota Lawyer in 2007. She also was one of the recipients of the MSBA David Graven Public Service Award in 2006, which recognized the members of the MSBA’s Katrina Relief Fund Task Force. In 2005, the Task Force raised money and collected donated goods to help Gulf-area legal services, pro bono providers, and others in the legal profession rebuild after the devastation of Hurricane Katrina. Lori organized the office furniture drive, which resulted in shipment of several semi-truckloads of office furniture to legal aid offices in the Gulf region so they could resume their work helping the underprivileged with their legal needs.

Lori tries to leave spare time to volunteer in the broader community as well. Some of her most enjoyable volunteering experiences have been working as support crew on the 4-day, 100-mile Red Ribbon Ride supporting local AIDS charities, and acting as Road Crew Coach on the Breast Cancer 3Day walk. In her free time, Lori enjoys spending time with friends and family, reading, cooking, gardening, watching movies, exercising, and cheering on the Iowa Hawkeye football team.

• Memberships and Civic Involvement
  Sight & Hearing Association (2011 Board of Directors)
  Red Ribbon Ride (Volunteer Crew Member, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2010)-four-day bike ride ride benefiting local AIDS charities
  The Attractive Nuisance Tour (Planning Board 2005, 2006, and 2007)-Concert benefiting Hennepin County Bar Foundation and Minnesota Justice Foundation
  Breast Cancer 3Day (Road Crew Coach, 2004, 2005, 2006)-benefiting the Susan G. Komen Foundation
  Appalachian Service Project (July 2004)-supervised teens repairing dilapidated homes in rural Tennessee 

  Hennepin County Bar Association:

  The Hennepin Lawyer Committee (Member 2003-current; Issue Editor, January 2010, March 2009, March 2007 and July/August 2005; Asst. Issue Editor, Nov./Dec. 2003)
  Community Relations Committee (2007–2008 Chair)-oversaw legal education and outreach projects
  Executive Committee and Board of Directors(2005–2006)
  Finance and Planning Committee (2004–2005)
  New Lawyers Section (Chair, 2005–2006; Vice Chair, 2004–2005; Secretary, 2003–2004; Treasurer 2002–2003; Community Service Director, 2001–2002)

  Minnesota State Bar Association:

  MSBA Children & the Law Section, Council Member
  Day 9 Committee (2011 Chair, 2010 Member)-Committee plans final day of state bar convention
  Convention Planning Committee (2008 Co-chair)-oversaw subcommittees planning all aspects of annual state bar convention, including all CLE programming, research and inquiries to potential speakers, site visits, and social event planning, event marketing, budget development, collaboration with MSBA staff

Court Admissions
State of Minnesota
U.S. District Court, District of Minnesota
U.S. Court of Appeals, Tenth Circuit

Honors/Distinctions
“Minnesota Rising Star” by Law & Politics (2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, and 2010)
Selected by Minnesota Lawyer as 1 of 20 “Up and Coming Attorneys” (May 2007)
Recipient of the MSBA David Graven Public Service Award, 2006, as member of the MSBA Katrina Relief Fund Task Force

Personal
Favorite travel spot: Hawaii
Favorite sport: Football
Theme song: “Lean on Me” by Bill Withers
Favorite part of being a lawyer: Writing a great legal brief on an argument I am passionate about.
Favorite Charity or Non-Profit: Children’s Law Center of Minnesota
Friends Describe Me As: Compassionate, enthusiastic, witty and reliable