Joel A. Mintzer
Experience
Outside Experience
- Law Clerk to the Honorable Harold D. Vietor, U.S. District Court, Southern District of Iowa
Selected Results*
In re Imagitas, Inc. DPPA Litigation: Defended government contractor in ten state class actions alleging that the insertion of advertising into motor vehicle registration mailings violated the federal Drivers' Privacy Protection Act, and subjected the contractor to $2,500 in statutory damages per person. Transferred all cases to a single court for pretrial coordination. The district court then granted summary judgment in a test case, which the Court of Appeals affirmed.
Omnicare, Inc. v. UnitedHealth Group, Inc.: Represented defendants UnitedHealth Group, Inc. and PacifiCare, Inc. in an antitrust lawsuit involving alleged price-fixing and fraudulent practices relating to prescription drug reimbursement under the federal Medicare Part D program. Plaintiff Omnicare sought damages exceeding $1 billion and permanent injunctive relief. After lengthy discovery and numerous pretrial motions, we obtained summary judgment in favor of our clients on all claims on January 16, 2009.
Best Buy v. Developers Diversified Realty: On behalf of retailer, sued landlords in 12 states affiliated with a national shopping center developer alleging that the landlords could not charge "insurance" expenses that were not paid to commercial insurance companies. Summary judgment was granted in favor of the retailer.
Hall v. Best Buy: Defended retailer in a class action alleging age discrimination during the course of a reduction-in-force. Case settled prior to rulings on retailer's summary judgment motions.
ValueMax Litigation: Defended Pitney Bowes Credit Corporation in multiple class action lawsuits alleging that a contractual risk-of-loss provision constitutes insurance. Obtained summary judgment in two cases. One RICO class action was dismissed for failure to prove "intent," which was affirmed on appeal. Chris Albritton Construction Co. v. Pitney Bowes Credit Corp., 304 F.2d 527 (5th Cir. 2002).
In re Blue Cross and Blue Shield Subscriber Litigation: Defended Blue Cross in class action lawsuit by subscribers who claim entitlement to Blue Cross's tobacco litigation settlement.
In re Recomm Int'l Display Ltd. Contract Litigation: Defended leasing company from nearly 50 class action and multi-plaintiff lawsuits alleging RICO, securities claims, and fraud. Resolved most claims through another party's bankruptcy.
Daggett Truck Lines v. Blue Cross: Defended Blue Cross in ERISA class action alleging a failure to share negotiated provider savings. Plaintiffs voluntarily dismissed claims after discovery but before class certification.
In re Managed Care Litigation: Defended heath insurers in RICO class actions lawsuits alleging improper use of medical necessity definition and failure to properly pay physicians.
Bar Admissions
- Illinois
- Iowa
- Minnesota
- U.S. Court of Appeals, Eighth Circuit
- U.S. Court of Appeals, Eleventh Circuit
- U.S. Court of Appeals, Fifth Circuit
- U.S. District Court, Minnesota
- U.S. District Court, Southern District of Iowa
Education
- Columbia University School of Law, J.D. (1989)
- University of Iowa, B.A. with highest distinction and with honors in Economics and Political Science
Selected Speeches
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Best Buy v. DDR - The Strategy, Outcome and Impact (Webinar)
NRTA
(July 1, 2010)
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Purposeful Written Discovery: Taking the Offensive (Panel Discussion)
Minnesota CLE's First Litigation Advocacy Institute, Winning Before Trial, Minneapolis, Minnesota
(June 4, 2009)
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Ethical Issues in Motion Practice Issues
Minnesota Association for Justice, Minneapolis, Minnesota
(December 18, 2008)
- RICO and ERISA vs. HMOs: the Industry's Greatest Challenge?
Minnesota Institute of Legal Education (May 16, 2000)