News

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.

Arianna joined the Arthur Chapman team in January. She is licensed in Minnesota. We are excited to have Arianna join us!

Lucas joined the Arthur Chapman team in January. He is licensed in both Minnesota and Wisconsin. We are excited to have Lucas, and his nice suits, join us!

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.

Arthur, Chapman, Kettering, Smetak & Pikala, P.A. has announced the election of Allison N. Krueger and Stephanie K. Smodish as shareholders at the firm.

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:

In the Spring/Summer 2022 Issue of Minnesota Defense, Attorney Shannon Nelson shares recommended strategies in responding to nuclear verdict tactics. 

In the Spring/Summer 2022 issue of Minnesota Defense attorney Beth A. Prouty authored the article Navigating the Changes to the Rules Governing Miller-Shugart Settlement Agreements in Minnesota.

Arthur Chapman is please to share the attorneys that were named as Super Lawyers® or Rising Stars® for 2022. Super Lawyers is a rating service of outstanding lawyers from more than 70 practice areas who have attained a high-degree of peer recognition and professional achievement. The patented selection process is multi-phased and includes independent research, peer nominations and peer evaluations.

In an Order issued today, the United States Supreme Court denied the Petitions for Certiorari in the Bierbach v. Digger's Polaris and United Fire Group and Musta v. Mendota Heights Dental cases.

Arthur, Chapman, Kettering, Smetak & Pikala, P.A. is pleased to announce the addition of attorney Shannon Nelson. Shannon focuses her practice in civil litigation including premises liability, motor vehicle accident, personal injury, construction defect as well as workers’ compensation. She joins our Firm after working the last eight years as in-house counsel for an insurance company and prior to that she was working at Arthur Chapman. We are thrilled to welcome her back.

Construction attorney Jon Zentner recently spoke with Acuity Insurance to discuss how to use the term warranty so it doesn’t cause legal confusion with consumers.