JMMx
  • Jeffrey M. Markowitz
  • Shareholder
  • Co-Chair - Appellate Litigation | Co-Chair - COVID-19 Task Force
  • Arthur Chapman Kettering Smetak & Pikala, P.A.
  • Minneapolis, Minnesota
  • 612-375-5917  direct dial
  • 612-339-7655  fax

  • jmmarkowitz@arthurchapman.com
Download My vCard Print Page Arthur Chapman Kettering Smetak & Pikala, P.A.
Biography

Clients appreciate the creativity, skill, and good humor that Jeff Markowitz brings to every aspect of his litigation practice. 

Jeff’s first love (in litigation, that is) is appellate work. He co-chairs his firm’s appellate practice group, and feels right at home arguing to appellate courts. He spent more than two years clerking for an appellate judge, and has since repeatedly appeared (and won) on appeal. Appellate work takes a unique blend of skills, which Jeff has gladly and diligently cultivated throughout his legal career. And clients see firsthand how he leverages that skill and experience—along with his relentless creativity—to make things (or keep things) right on appeal.

When not on appeal, Jeff passionately fights for his clients in district/trial court to make sure right decisions are reached in the first place. He spends much of that time defending businesses and public entities in employment litigation (and providing employment counseling). His litigation practice also includes business disputes, class-action defense, and products liability.

Outside of the office, Jeff is an avid strategy-game player. He plays with his wife as often as possible, after their four-year-old son falls asleep.

Presentations

  • “Navigating Your Next Appeal: Six Tips From a Former Clerk,” Webinar, Minnesota Defense Lawyers Association: New Lawyers Section, September 2020
  • “Reopening Businesses in Minnesota: Legal and Practical Considerations,” Webinar, Arthur, Chapman, Kettering, Smetak & Pikala, P.A., May 2020
  • “Emerging and Expected COVID-19 Tort Theories and Issues,” Webinar, Arthur, Chapman, Kettering, Smetak & Pikala, P.A., May 2020
  • “COVID-19 Class Actions and MDLs: Emerging and Expected Realities for Insurance Coverage, Tort, and Employment Litigation,” Webinar, Arthur, Chapman, Kettering, Smetak & Pikala, P.A., May 2020
  • “An Ounce of Prevention: Avoiding FFCRA and MWA Liability and Litigation,” Associated General Contractors of Minnesota HR Forum, April 2020
  • “Workplace Safety, Disability Accommodations, and Leaves in the COVID-19 Era,” Webinar, Arthur, Chapman, Kettering, Smetak & Pikala, P.A., March 2020
  • “Medical Marijuana 101: Workplace Edition,” Associated General Contractors of Minnesota HR Forum, February 2020
  • “Demystifying The Class Action: A Primer For Beginners,” Minnesota Construction Law Seminar, Arthur, Chapman, Kettering, Smetak & Pikala, P.A., January 2019
  • “Forget Plausibility – Three Tools to Help Your Motion To Dismiss Sing In Minnesota State Court, Even After Walsh,” Minnesota Defense Lawyers Association, January 2019 Mid-Winter Conference
  • “Heroes or Hustlers of the ADA? The Rise and Reality of Private Enforcement of Title III,” Minnesota Construction Law Seminar, Arthur, Chapman, Kettering, Smetak & Pikala, P.A., October 2017
  • "Surprised by Employment - Misclassification Issues in Minnesota’s Construction Industry," Minnesota Construction Law Seminar, Arthur, Chapman, Kettering, Smetak & Pikala, P.A., October 2016

Publications

Honors

  • Rising Star®, Minnesota Law & Politics, 2018-2020

Education

University of Minnesota Law School, J.D.
Pennsylvania State University, B.S.

Clerkship

Clerked for the Honorable Heidi S. Schellhas of the Minnesota Court of Appeals, 2012-14

Bar Admissions

Minnesota
Wisconsin
Supreme Court of the United States
U.S. Court of Appeals, Seventh Circuit
U.S. Court of Appeals, Eighth Circuit
U.S. District Court, District of Minnesota
U.S. District Court, District of North Dakota
U.S. District Court, Western District of Wisconsin

Professional Associations and Memberships

Defense Research Institute
Federal Bar Association
Minnesota Defense Lawyers Association
Minnesota State Bar Association
State Bar of Wisconsin

License

Minnesota
Wisconsin

Experience

Representative Cases

Reetz v. City of St. Paul, No. A19-1425, ___ N.W.2d ___ (Minn. _____). On appeal, submitted amicus brief on behalf of Minnesota Police and Peace Officers Association Legal Defense Fund on when Minn. Stat. § 466.07 defense and indemnity is required for off-duty police officers who are providing security services in police uniforms.

Three Aces v. United Rentals, No. 20200032, 2020 WL 7395399 (N.D. 2020). On appeal, successfully defended summary judgment for commercial tenant, defeating landlord’s multi-million-dollar damages claim.

Palmer, Tr. for Palmer v. Walker Jamar Co., 945 N.W.2d 844 (Minn. 2020). On appeal, submitted amicus brief on behalf of Minnesota Defense Lawyers Association regarding the accrual date for asbestos claims. (Justice Lillehaug referred to the brief as “excellent” during oral argument, and cited to it during questioning.)

Kenneh v. Homeward Bound, Inc., 944 N.W.2d 222 (Minn. 2020). On appeal, submitted amicus brief on behalf of Minnesota Defense Lawyers Association regarding what framework should govern sex-harassment claims in the employment setting under the Minnesota Human Rights Act.

Vill. Lofts at St. Anthony Falls Ass'n v. Hous. Partners III-Lofts, LLC, 937 N.W.2d 430 (Minn. 2020). On appeal, secured complete defense victory for general contractor in high-exposure, complex condominium-defect litigation from Minnesota Supreme Court, by obtaining partial reversal and partial affirmance of Minnesota Court of Appeals, and reinstatement of summary judgment.

Dickhausen v. St. Paul Pub. Sch., No. A19-0403, 2019 WL 4008050 (Minn. Ct. App. Aug. 26, 2019). On appeal, successfully defended summary judgment in employment-retaliation case for public school district.

Stephens v. Stephens, No. A18-1208, 2019 WL 1007789 (Minn. Ct. App. Mar. 4, 2019). On appeal, successfully defended summary judgment in Torrens property dispute for defendant property owner when co-owner plaintiff sought to, through reformation, eliminate defendant’s property interest.

Bonadies v. Windsor Windows, No. NNH CV-16-6063343S (Conn. Sup. Ct. June 29, 2018). Obtained summary judgment for window manufacturer in construction-defect case.

Wilson v. Northland College, No. 3:17-cv-0037-slc, 2018 WL 341749 (W.D. Wis. Jan. 9, 2018). Secured early dismissal of employment- and privacy-related claims against private college.

Wilmes v. Owatonna Hospitality, LLC, No. A16-1920, 2017 WL 3379076 (Minn. Ct. App. Aug. 7, 2017). On appeal, successfully defended summary judgment in personal-injury case for hotel when plaintiff speculated that the hotel pool, despite chlorination, caused a bacterial infection.

Doe v. Empire Entm’t, LLC, No. A16-1283, 2017 WL 1832414 (Minn. Ct. App. May 8, 2017). On appeal, successfully defended denial of plaintiff’s motion to proceed under pseudonym, an issue of first impression for Minnesota’s appellate courts.

Aragono, et al. v. Ku, et al., No. 16-cv-3907 (WMW/KMM) (D.Minn. March 21, 2017). Secured early dismissal of employment-related claims brought by 12 plaintiffs against client. Moved to dismiss all claims against client. See ECF Docs. 45, 47. Less than one month later, plaintiffs stipulated to voluntarily dismiss the claims. See ECF Doc. 59, 62.

Posey v. Securitas Sec. Servs. USA, Inc., 879 N.W.2d 662 (Minn. App. 2016). On appeal, obtained reversal of denial of unemployment benefits, resulting in a published opinion.

Buffa v. Windsor, No. 14 CVS 134 (N.C. Trial Ct. Oct. 1, 2015); Buffa v. Cygnature Constr. & Dev., Inc., 796 S.E.2d 64 (N.C. Ct. App. 2016). Obtained summary judgment for window manufacturer in construction-defect case and, on appeal, successfully defended summary judgment.

Practice Areas

Legal Team