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Attorney Profiles

James F. Mewborn 
Minneapolis, Minnesota
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phone (866) 435-5752
fax (612) 339-7655
email Email Me

Jim Mewborn's experience includes products liability, professional liability, commercial litigation, coverage issues, and automobile litigation. He has handled trials, appeals, and alternative dispute resolution in these areas.  Jim has dealt extensively with issues pertaining to the Federal Employer's Liability Act and currently works with one of our insurer clients on all of their litigation in this field.  He possesses an in-depth understanding of settlement strategies and has spoken and authored articles on the subject.  Jim has engaged in a wide variety of litigation since 1980, after serving a one-year judicial clerkship with a United States District Judge.

Representative Cases

Zahradnicek v. Union Pacific Railroad and Crew Shuttle Service.  In May 2005 for 4.5 days in Ada County District Court, Idaho.  Regarding Federal Employers Liability Act.  Verdict: $327,250 (admitted liability and verdict was much less than plaintiff would have taken to settle).

Thoennes v. Spider Staging Corp. v. Rainbow, Inc.  In May 2002 for 5 days at Hennepin County District.  Court Regarding Personal Injury.  Verdict - Defense Total.

Hincher v. Payless Cashways.  In February 2000 for 4 days at U.S. District Court, Minnesota, Third Division.  Regarding a Wrongful Death. Verdict - Admitted liability.  Net verdict of $750,000, after pretrial offer of $2 million.

Manirath, Toui v. La Douangthammavongsa and Bjorklund Trucking, Inc.  In May 1999 for 4 days at Hennepin County District Court.  Regarding Personal Injury/Auto.  Verdict - Defense Total.

Warren v. Crown Sterling. In February 1999 for 3 days at Hennepin County District Court. Regarding a Personal Injury. Verdict - $125,000.

Deery, Alexandra Jane v. Ridgedale Shopping Center, et al. In October 1998 for 3 days at Hennepin County District Court. Regarding a Personal Injury. Verdict - $20,000.

Block v. Coldwell Banker, et al. In February 1997 for 4 days at Stearns County. Regarding a Property Dispute. Verdict - Defense Total.

Morrison v. Home Insurance, et al. In March 1996 for 3 days at Anoka County. Regarding Insurance Coverage. Verdict - $98,500.
Kimberly Arth v. City of Edina. In February 1996 for 4 days at Hennepin County District Court. Regarding a Personal Injury. Verdict - $135,000.

Jeans, Bill v. Bank of Wyoming, MN. In1989 for 10 days at Washatgton County. Regarding Construction. Verdict - Plaintiff's case - recovered property from bank.

Topic v. Minnegasco. In December 1988 for 3 days at Scott County. Regarding a Property Damage/Fire. Verdict - Defense Total.

Areas of Practice:
Federal Employer's Liability Act
Construction Law
Products Liability
Professional Liability
Commercial Litigation
Coverage Issues
Automobile Law
Mass Torts
Insurance Coverage
General Liability
Bar Admissions:
Minnesota, 1980
U.S. District Court District of Maryland, 1979
U.S. District Court District of Minnesota, 1980
U.S. Court of Appeals 8th Circuit, 1980
Education:
University of Maryland School of Law, Baltimore, Maryland, 1979
J.D.
Law Review: University of Maryland Law Review, Managing Editor


Brown University, 1974
B.A.


Published Works:
The 3M Silicone Implant Case - What is the Impact For Construction Cases?, Minnesota Defense - MDLA, Spring, 2004


A Flood of Issues - Water Intrusion Claims in Residential Construction Litigation, Arthur, Chapman, Kettering, Smetak & Pikala, Commercial Litigation Update, December, 2002


The 3M Silicone Implant Case - What is the Impact For Construction Cases?, Arthur, Chapman, Kettering, Smetak & Pikala, Insurance Coverage Update, November, 2003


Representative Cases:
Zahradnicek v. Union Pacific Railroad and Crew Shuttle Service (2005)
Thoennes v. Spider Staging Corp. v. Rainbow, Inc. (2002)
Hincher v. Payless Cashways (2000)
Manirath, Toui v. La Douangthammavongsa and Bjorklund Trucking, Inc. (1999)
Warren v. Crown Sterling (1999)
Deery, Alexandra Jane v. Ridgedale Shopping Center, et al. (1998)
Block v. Coldwell Banker, et al. (1997)
Morrison v. Home Insurance, et al. (1996)
Jeans, Bill v. Bank of Wyoming, MN (1989)
Topic v. Minnegasco (1988)
Classes/Seminars Taught:
2004 Minnesota Construction Defect Claims, "CGL Coverage For Property Damage Claims", Arthur, Chapman, Kettering, Smetak & Pikala, P.A., March 4, 2004


2000 Minnesota Law & Litigation Seminar, "Accident Reconstructionists & Experts", Arthur, Chapman, Kettering, Smetak & Pikala, P.A., June 21, 2000


Professional Associations and Memberships:
Hennepin County Bar Association
Member


Minnesota State Bar Association
Member


American Bar Association
Member


Defense Research Institute
Member


Minnesota Defense Lawyers Association
Member


National Association of Railroad Trial Counsel
Member


Past Employment Positions:
United States District Judge, Judicial Clerk

500 Young Quinlan Building, 81 South Ninth Street Minneapolis, Minnesota(MN) 55402 866-435-5752 Email Us

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