News

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:

In the Spring/Summer 2022 Issue of Minnesota Defense, we share 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.

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.

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.

Arthur, Chapman, Kettering, Smetak & Pikala, P.A. congratulates Mackrell International (MI) on securing their tenth consecutive ranking as a leading global network in the Chambers Directory, a premier legal industry directory.

In a precedential decision issued on January 31, 2022, the Minnesota Court of Appeals held that a pickup truck is not a “commercial vehicle” subject to No-Fault indemnity claims under Minn. Stat. § 65B.53, subd. 1 even if its curb weight exceeds 5,500 pounds, unless it was being used in a commercial capacity when the accident causing injury occurred.

On November 24, 2021, the Minnesota Supreme Court released Poitra v. North Star Mutual, concluding that the resident-relative exclusion in a homeowner’s insurance policy is enforceable. A resident-relative or household exclusion generally excludes or limits liability coverage when the person injured is the named insured or resides with the named insured and is a relative or is a minor in the named insured’s care.