Minnesota

Firm overview

Blackwell Burke P.A. is a certified minority-owned litigation trial firm with a national practice and winning record of world-class results in high stakes litigation, MDLs, class actions, and multi-state matters. 

Notable Victories: 

• Secured summary judgment for Conagra in the first case to proceed through summary judgment and Daubert motions, pending in U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of New York. Plaintiffs claim burn injuries resulting from alleged defects in aerosol cooking spray cans. 
• Secured pro bono Eighth Circuit reversal of an immigration judge’s decision denying an abused woman, Amreya Shefa, a deportation hearing, and later Board of Immigration Appeals’ affirmance. 
• Secured landmark victory for 3M Company in Federal Bair Hugge^rTM MDL securing dismissal of 5,000+ cases in one of the 10 largest MDLs in the U.S. 
• Resolved environmental contamination action brought by Minnesota Attorney General against 3M. The $850 million settlement was the largest environmental settlement in Minnesota, and third largest in U.S. history, ending 8 years of litigation over a former ingredient (fluorochemicals, or PFCs) that allegedly contaminated drinking water. 
• Secured complete victory for General Mills, Inc. in a putative nationwide class action over the alleged false advertising of the company’s Nature Valley snack bars. 
• Secured summary judgment victory for Medtronic, Inc., in the first of 44 cases pending in Minnesota state court. Court dismissed Plaintiff ’s claim that her Virtuoso implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) was defectively manufactured and failed prematurely. 
• Won complete defense verdict in bench trial, securing $14,232,000 in termination payments, plus prejudgment interest for IBM. 

Firm Rankings and Recognition: 

• Benchmark Litigation Minneapolis Firm of the Year (2017, 2018, 2019, 2020) 
• Benchmark Litigation Highly Recommended Firm (2014 – 2016) 
• 7 Benchmark Litigation Stars – Jerry Blackwell, Corey Gordon, Gerardo Alcazar, Mary Young, Benjamin Hulse, Deborah Lewis, and Jamal Faleel. Benchmark Litigation Future Stars – Emily Ambrose, Charmaine Harris, and Ted Hartman. 
• 2020 BTI Litigation Powerhouse. Previously received BTI Honor Roll in Class Action Litigation, BTI Legal Mover & Shaker, BTI Client Service A-Team, BTI Brand Elite Firm, BTI Client Service MVP, BTI Client Service All-Star 
• 2020 Chambers and Partners Ranked Firm. Leading Firm (2018 – 2019), Chambers Diversity Short List (2019) 
• 3M Supplier of the Year Award 
• General Mills Supplier Diversity Excellence in Service Award 
• Minnesota Super Lawyers® and Rising Stars 
• Hennepin County Legal Employer Diversity Award

Firm overview

Founded in 1984 as an alternative to the traditional large law firm, Barack Ferrazzano aims to provide extraordinary service in a wide range of industries for each core practice area. Without the overhead of large, multi-national “BigLaw” firms, the Firm has the flexibility to serve its clients in a global capacity — when, where, and how they need it. The high levels of internal flexibility and extraordinary talent within Barack Ferrazzano allow its attorneys to craft unusually practical and economical solutions to match client challenges and needs. In doing so, the Firm successfully serves large multi-national corporations in all manner of complex, time-sensitive, and high-stakes transactions and matters.

Barack Ferrazzano’s business model is predicated upon having a deep understanding of its clients’ businesses and the development of long-lasting relationships, which yield great efficiencies. Its lawyer retention rate is extremely high, with very few attorneys or paralegals leaving to pursue legal careers at other law firms. As a result, Barack Ferrazzano is able to provide a consistent team of professionals, enhancing client relationships and allowing its attorneys to become increasingly cost-efficient in addressing clients’ legal needs. Barack Ferrazzano’s reputation is based on its people and the results they achieve.

International Work: Since its founding 35+ years ago, Barack Ferrazzano has been a strategic legal business partner to some of the most respected and iconic companies around the world.

Diversity & Inclusion: Barack Ferrazzano has a strong history of promoting diversity and inclusion within the Firm. The Firm actively recruits talented professionals and staff based on commitment to personal and professional excellence, and welcomes people of different backgrounds and perspectives. This commitment to diversity and fostering of a welcoming culture attracts the most qualified candidates and creates a rewarding and fulfilling environment for not just the Firm, but for clients as well.

Litigation: With 30+ attorneys, Barack Ferrazzano’s Litigation Group has been selected by some of the world’s most prominent companies for representation in their most significant lawsuits in state and federal courts throughout the U.S. Seasoned partners and well-trained associates have managed thousands of disputes concerning:

• Securities & Derivative Securities
• Contracts
• Motor Vehicle Franchises
• Trade Secrets
• Licensing
• Consumer Class Actions
• Real Estate
• Professional Liability
• Civil RICO & Conspiracy Actions
• Director & Officer Matters
• Negligence & Product Liability
• Bankruptcy & Creditors’ Rights
• Bank Regulatory & Other Financial-Related Matters
• Data Privacy
  
  

Barack Ferrazzano’s Litigation Group represents clients both forcefully and efficiently, always ready to try cases when necessary, and prepared to resolve early and economically when appropriate. Because the focus is providing clients with thoughtfully designed, cost-effective solutions to complex scenarios, the group is also experienced in alternative dispute resolution and strategic counseling.

Alternative Dispute Resolution: Litigation Group attorneys are experienced in a broad range of alternative dispute resolution techniques, including mediations, binding and non-binding arbitrations, mini-trials, and settlement trials with floors and caps. Many members of the group also serve as arbitrators and mediators.

Counseling: The Firm’s Litigation Group also has extensive experience in strategic counseling designed to minimize the likelihood of litigation or reduce the exposure to litigation when potential problems arise. Litigation Group attorneys are often involved in complex corporate and real estate disputes that benefit from the comprehensive experience of our corporate, real estate, and bankruptcy attorneys. Complex disputes are approached with strong interdisciplinary teams, assembled based on the skill and style required for each engagement. Results of this cross-functional approach have proven successful in resolving controversies ranging from dissenting shareholders’ rights disputes to take-over litigation.