Robins, Kaplan, Miller & Ciresi L.L.P. Again Ranked First for Litigation in Minnesota by Chambers USA 2009
Entertainment Practice in California Also Recognized
Jun 2009
Minneapolis (June 2009) - Robins, Kaplan, Miller & Ciresi L.L.P. is pleased to announce that the firm is ranked first again as a leading law firm for the category ‘Litigation: General Commercial' in Minnesota in Chambers USA 2009. Firm chairman Martin R. Lueck, name partner Michael V. Ciresi, and partner Ronald J. Schutz, all share the number one ranking as top Litigation: Intellectual Property practitioners in the state. Ciresi was also recognized again in first place as a top Litigation: General Commercial attorney in the state.
In addition, the firm's entertainment practice was ranked highly among firms in the category Media & Entertainment: Litigation, recognizing Michael Plonsker, Yakub Hazzard and Marcia Harris as top lawyers. In 2007 and 2008, Michael Plonsker was named one of the "Top 100 Entertainment Litigators" by The Hollywood Reporter, and in 2005 he was named "Entertainment Attorney Of The Year" by The Century City Bar Association. Marcia Harris has been involved in numerous high profile TV-related profit participation claims against the Hollywood studios. In addition to defamation claims, Yakub Hazzard's areas of strength include copyright, trademark and rights of publicity.
Chambers USA 2009 notes the following about the firm and the lawyers:
This well-known national firm has one of the largest litigation departments in the state. The practice comprises for [sic] main areas: patent litigation; general business litigation, including antitrust; a property insurance practice, focused on serving traditional industrial insurers; and a mass tort and individual plaintiff practice. Recently, the firm successfully represented Tour de France winner Greg LeMond and several other individuals and entities in a minority-shareholder lawsuit against Timothy Blixseth, majority owner of the Yellowstone Club in Montana, alleging fraudulent practices. This firm is a powerful force in litigation, and is deemed "absolutely fabulous if you're a plaintiff."
"Terrific trial lawyer" Michael Ciresi handles a broad range of matters in his national practice, including private liability, patent law, tobacco matters and general commercial work. But it is in IP that this firm truly shines: "No one disputes that its Minnesota office contains one of the best groups in the country." Ronald Schutz is the IP practice chair and is "completely devoted to his cases; he pores [sic] over documents and leaves no stone unturned." Interviewees praise his tenacious attitude and presence in the courtroom. Firm chairman Martin Lueck is renowned as a star trial lawyer, his workload comprising IP patent litigation, antitrust work and business litigation.
Related Links