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Overview

With a gift for crafting a compelling narrative, Doug defends clients in mass tort and product liability litigation.

Doug focuses his practice on global companies in the manufacturing space and is particularly experienced with water treatment systems, chemical products, and chemical dispensing systems. He handles both mass tort cases and single-plaintiff toxic tort and product liability litigation, as well as occasional premises liability matters. Doug is also experienced in motor vehicle cases and regularly represents corporations in automotive accidents involving employees. While many cases settle, he has represented clients in bench and jury trials throughout the country.

Originally an animation artist who became the owner of a production company, Doug and his team routinely produced safety and training videos for major corporations. He partnered with in-house legal teams on these projects, which sparked an interest in a career in product liability, and Doug enrolled in law school. Upon graduation, he joined a law firm where he continued to work with some of the same clients for which his company had produced videos.

Doug’s background meant that he already knew clients’ products backwards and forwards, and he continues to see the value in knowing every detail about a product. His time in the entertainment industry also taught him how to tell a story, and he is particularly gifted at crafting convincing, concise, effective narratives to present to juries.

A former business owner, Doug understands that business concerns are central in any litigation strategy. He prioritizes clients’ business goals—which often include preserving a business relationship with the other party post-litigation. Doug knows that firm advocacy doesn’t always require an aggressive stance, and he approaches each case in the most civil manner possible, helping clients maintain the relationships their businesses need going forward.

Industries

Services

Education

  • J.D., Mitchell Hamline School of Law
    • cum laude
    • William Mitchell Law Review, Staff Member
  • Directing Fellow, American Film Institute
  • B.A., Minneapolis College of Art and Design

Admissions

  • Minnesota
  • U.S. District Court, Western District of Michigan
  • U.S. District Court, District of Colorado
  • U.S. District Court, District of Minnesota
  • U.S. District Court, Western District of Wisconsin

Professional Memberships and Certifications

  • Minnesota State Bar Association
  • Hennepin County Bar Association
2024 Pro Bono Contributor
Experience

 

Doug likes to work his cases toward summary judgment or dismissal when possible. He recently received summary judgment on three high profile cases including two chemical burn injuries and an alleged inhalation injury, excluding two experts in the process. Doug has also defended a large number of Legionnaire’s disease cases including alleged exposures from cooling towers and pool and spa systems.


Outside the Office

Doug enjoys spending time with his family, which includes three grown sons (two of whom are twins). One of his sons is on the autism spectrum, and Doug and his wife can often be found cheering him on in Special Olympics tournaments.

A lifelong musician, Doug worked his way through college playing in bands and continues to play the guitar. The family has three cats at home that Doug says are sometimes more work than his kids were.

Doug was a 2001 McKnight Fellow for screenwriting.

Community Leadership

Doug provides pro bono legal services through the Children’s Law Center in Minneapolis.