Experience

Renewable Energy

• Defended wind farm owner in Minnesota state court in dispute with original local developers over legacy contract payments related to Minnesota’s Community Based Energy Development (C-BED) statute.
• Defended solar developer in Minnesota state court against unjust enrichment claim stemming from dispute between contractor and subcontractor regarding delays and performance deficits in design, installation, and operation of solar arrays.
• Defended majority owner of a biomass power plant and its affiliates against former minority co-owner’s claims related to payments under a Membership Interest Purchase Agreement, resulting in complete summary judgment victory for client in Minnesota federal court.
• Obtained favorable summary judgment ruling in Minnesota federal court for renewable energy developer on contract claims related to alleged nonpayment of service provider’s fees.
• Prosecuted contract breach claims on behalf of biomass energy investor against co-investor related to failure to make payments under an agreement.
• Advised wind farm developer regarding contractual right to terminate development agreement for failure of counterparty to provide agreed-upon services.
• Prosecuted claims on behalf of a wind developer in Minnesota federal court over a utility’s termination of contracts for the purchase of a wind farm.
• Assisted solar developer in obtaining mechanic’s lien releases and resolving payment claims brought by subcontractor after bankruptcy filing by general contractor.

Employment Litigation

• Advise a variety of clients regarding compliance with biometric privacy laws, including Illinois’s Biometric Information Privacy Act and Portland, Oregon’s Facial Recognition Ban.
• Defended an assisted living facility against claims of race discrimination and retaliation in employment, resulting in successful resolution by settlement after depositions.
• Defended utility-scale solar developer and its employee against claims for tortious interference and breach of non-compete and confidentiality clauses in an employment agreement.
• Defended employees of insurance brokerage company against contract and tort claims related to alleged retention of confidential documents and information upon departure from employment.
• Obtained dismissal of False Claims Act claims brought by former independent contractor against medical device company in the Northern District of California.
• Defended a medical device company and its Kansas-based employee in Minnesota federal court against tortious interference and contract claims. Obtained complete summary judgment for company and favorable verdict for employee after five-day jury trial.
• Defended a medical device company and its Maryland-based employee in Minnesota federal court against tortious interference and breach of non-compete, non-solicitation, and confidentiality covenants in employment agreements.
• Defended a medical device company and its Texas-based employee against claims for tortious interference and breach of non-compete, non-solicitation, and confidentiality covenants in employment agreements in Minnesota state court.
• Defended a medical device company and its New York-based employees against claims for tortious interference and breach of non-compete, non-solicitation, and confidentiality covenants in employment agreements in Minnesota state court.

Food and Agribusiness

• Prosecuted breach of contract claims in Minnesota federal court on behalf of food ingredient sourcing company against buyer for failure to pay for delivery of soybeans. Obtained complete summary judgment ruling in client’s favor.
• Defended food manufacturing company against contract breach and warranty claims in Minnesota federal court related to mold contamination in protein beverage.
• Advised a food manufacturing company regarding allergen labeling and the proper interpretation of FDA regulations.
• Defended a food processing company in arbitration in Colorado against contract breach claims related to operation of a sunflower oil refinery and delivery of sunflower oil.
• Defended a food company against fraudulent transfer and successor-in-interest liability claims in California state court related to an orange juice processing facility.
• Represented a food company in Minnesota state court in arguing against recognition of a claim of trespass by particulate matter related to pesticide drift.

Honors & Activities

• Member, Stoel Rives’ Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Committee, Jan. 2021–present
• Member, Stoel Rives’ Retirement Committee, Jan.2019–present
• Former Member, Stoel Rives’ Pro Bono Committee, Sept. 2011–Dec. 2019
• Former Board Member, Great River Greening, July 2016–Dec. 2019
• Volunteer attorney, Children’s Law Center of Minnesota
• Member, Hennepin County Bar Association
• Member, Minnesota State Bar Association
• Member, Federal Bar Association
• Selected as a Top Female Attorney, Minnesota Super Lawyers^®, 2015–2016
• Listed among Rising Stars (Business Litigation), Minnesota Super Lawyers^®, 2014–2015

Insights & Presentations

• “Portland’s New Facial Recognition Ban Increases Litigation Risk, Creates Uncertainty,” Stoel Rives Global Privacy & Security Blog^®, Feb. 3, 2021
• “GMOs: To Label or Not to Label? That is the Question,” Food Liability Law, March 9, 2016.

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