News

What inspired you to become an attorney, and how did you choose your specific field of law? When I was growing up, no one in my family was a lawyer, but I always dreamed about going to law school. I loved to read, write, research, and argue. I didn’t know it then, but these are all skills used by an appellate lawyer! 

This year our practice groups will each have a month to be in the spotlight. For January, We are excited to highlight and share more on our Appellate Practice Group.

We are excited for you to meet attorney Jennifer Augustin. Jennifer is joining our worker's compensation team and is licensed in both Minnesota and Wisconsin. 

Beth Jenson Prouty was interviewed in the CLM Magazine November issue on her insurance coverage practice. Beth shares her experiences, perspectives, and invaluable insights into the world of insurance coverage. Beth's expertise is a true asset to the industry, and her article in CLM Magazine is a testament to her dedication and accomplishments. Be sure to check out the November issue to gain valuable insights into the world of insurance coverage law and reach out to Beth with your insurance coverage questions.

Attorney Corey Bronczyk has been selected as an Associate Fellow of the Construction Lawyers Society of America (CLSA).  

We are excited to welcome Mack Marrin to Arthur Chapman. Mack’s practice focuses on representing clients in construction liability. Mack also has experience in premises liability and automobile law and representing individuals and businesses through all aspects of civil litigation.

On August 23, 2023, the Minnesota Supreme Court in Pamela Maslowski v. Prospect Funding Partners LLC, et al., No. A21-1338, unanimously held that litigation-finance contracts are not subject to Minnesota usury law. But that’s not the end of the story, for three important reasons. First, the Court remanded for the district court to consider whether the contract’s 60% interest rate is unconscionable. Second, a three-justice concurrence road-mapped an analysis that very well could lead the district court to find the rate unconscionable. That appears to have been the concurring justices’ intent.

The Minnesota State Bar Association announces the certification of Mark Brown, of Arthur Chapman Kettering Smetak & Pikala, PA, as a MSBA Board Certified Civil Trial Law Specialists.  This Certification program is administered by the MSBA and approved by the Minnesota State Board of Legal Certification.

On August 25, 2023, the Eighth Circuit held that a municipality does not waive statutory caps on damages for governmental tort liability when it procures a policy that provides a limit of $500,000 for claims subject to Minnesota’s statutory cap on municipal tort liability, and a separate $2,000,000 limit for claims that are not subject to the cap. Prisk v. Travelers Indemnity Co. of America, __ F.4th __ (8th Cir. Aug. 25, 2023).

In the session just ended, the Minnesota legislature made significant changes to employment laws. This email briefly summarizes important changes. Arthur Chapman invites you to attend a webinar on June 29, 2023 at 1:30 p.m. We will discuss some of these changes in more detail.

We are excited to welcome Elizabeth Pahkala to our team. Elizabeth is a 1L at the University of St. Thomas School of Law and will support our Workers' Compensation Group this summer.

On April 26, 2023, the Minnesota Supreme Court enforced a no-interest provision in State Farm’s property policy that stated: ”[n]o interest accrues on the loss until after the loss becomes payable.” Applying the provision, the Court denied pre-award interest on an appraisal award. Wesser v. State Farm Fire & Cas. Co. (Minn. April 26, 2023).

Jeff Markowitz, co-chair of Arthur Chapman’s Appellate Practice Group, was recently interviewed by The California Appellate Law Podcast. The interview included Jeff’s tips for effective appellate advocacy, along with a comparison of California and Minnesota appellate law and practice.

Arthur Chapman, a top 25 litigation defense law firm located in Minneapolis with more than 50 attorneys, has an opportunity available for a self-starting accounting professional to drive the Firm’s accounting and finance department. The position will require a highly enthusiastic, hard-working, and well-rounded individual who can contribute in many different areas. Our firm offers a competitive compensation and benefits package in a collaborative work environment. You will work in a respectful and inclusive environment, and we will invest in your professional development. This is a full-time exempt position, with a flexible hybrid work model.

On January 26, 2023, the Wisconsin Supreme Court issued Dostal v. Strand, 2023 WL 406049, _N.W.2d_ (Wis. 2023), and concluded that a conviction of second-degree reckless homicide does not preclude an aggrieved party from arguing the conduct is an “occurrence” for purposes of liability coverage and that reckless conduct is not synonymous with intentional conduct when analyzing application of intentional-act exclusions.

Arthur Chapman is happy to welcome Lindsey Letizia to the firm.

Arthur, Chapman, Kettering, Smetak & Pikala, P.A. is pleased to recognize Attorney Beth Jenson Prouty for her appointment to the Legislative Salary Council.

Kellie Klein of Minneapolis-based Arthur, Chapman, Kettering, Smetak & Pikala, P.A., has joined a select group of electronic discovery professionals from around the world in achieving the prestigious CEDS (Certified E-Discovery Specialist) designation. 

Arthur Chapman is happy to welcome Connor Johnston to the team.

On November 23, 2022, the Minnesota Supreme Court released St. Matthews v. State Farm, providing guidance on the minimum ordinance and law coverage required by Minn. Stat. § 65A.10, subd. 1, to be included in replacement cost property policies in the case of a partial loss. The statute provides: