Governor Dayton Appoints Jerry W. Blackwell to the Urban Initiative Board

Today Minnesota Governor Mark Dayton appointed Jerry W. Blackwell to serve on the Urban Initiative Board. The Urban Initiative Board will evaluate methods to enhance urban development, minority business enterprises, and create jobs. The Board will also administer the Urban Initiative Loan Program. The Program was created to support the growth of minority owned and operated businesses and to create jobs in economically distressed areas of the Twin Cities. Governor Dayton’s press release is available here.

Mr. Blackwell is a founding partner and Chairman of the Board of Blackwell Burke P.A. Mr. Blackwell has broad expertise in civil litigation, including class action defense, products liability defense, asbestos and silica defense, and commercial litigation. His recognitions include being named Minnesota Attorney of the Year; receiving the Minnesota Minority Business Owner of the Year Award; Minnesota Equal Justice Award; and the Kappa Alpha Psi Distinguished Citizen Award. Since 2002, he has consistently been named a “Super Lawyer” by Minnesota Law & Politics.

Blackwell Burke P.A. is a trial and litigation firm based in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Its attorneys serve as national trial and litigation counsel for Fortune 500 companies. The firm has extensive experience in class action defense, commercial litigation, food industry defense, labor and employment, and products liability. The firm has represented corporate clients in practically every jurisdiction in the country, as well as several foreign countries.

For more information about Blackwell Burke P.A., please contact Kandy Branch at 612-343-3235.