Benchmark Litigation, an independent guide to leading litigation firms and attorneys nationwide, has included Blackwell Burke P.A. as a recommended firm in its 2013 Minnesota listing. Recommended firms are those that are consistently acknowledged by clients and competitors during Benchmark Litigation’s six-month research process. Jerry W. Blackwell, Mike Hatch, and Peter J. Goss were each honored as Minnesota litigation stars. Litigation star designation is based on competitors and clients recommending these attorneys as “reputable and effective litigators” during Benchmark Litigation’s independent interviews. Benjamin W. Hulse was named a future Minnesota litigation star. Future stars are young partners who are predicted to become litigation stars in future Benchmark Litigation listings. A complete list of honored firms and attorneys is available at: www.benchmarklitigation.com.
Jerry W. Blackwell, firm chairman and founder, serves as national counsel and national trial counsel for major corporations including General Mills, Inc., and ConAgra Foods, Inc. His practice areas include class action defense, commercial litigation, food industry defense, labor and employment, products liability, and toxic tort litigation. Mr. Blackwell has received numerous honors, including: being a BTI Client Service All-Star; being named Minnesota Attorney of the Year; receiving the Minnesota Minority Business Owner of the Year Award; and the Minnesota Equal Justice Award. In 2011, Governor Mark Dayton appointed Mr. Blackwell to serve as an at-large member of the Minnesota Commission on Judicial Selection.
Peter J. Goss focuses his national practice on pharmaceutical and medical device product liability litigation and toxic torts. He has represented major pharmaceutical, medical technology, and chemical firms in hundreds of cases. Mr. Goss, who has won several published Daubert decisions, often serves as “science counsel” in life sciences litigation. He collaborates with leading experts to present complex medical and scientific evidence, both in dispositive motions and at trial. He has been named a “Life Sciences Star” by LMG Life Sciences, “Leading Lawyer” for product liability and mass tort defense by The Legal 500, and received the Burton Award for Legal Achievement.
Mike Hatch served as Minnesota Attorney General from 1999 to 2007. He represents clients in complex litigation, regulatory compliance, insurance, healthcare, and unfair competition matters. Mr. Hatch also counsels and advises clients on government and internal investigations. From 1983 to 1990, he served as Minnesota Commerce Commissioner, the primary regulator of the insurance and financial industries in Minnesota.
Benjamin W. Hulse represents corporate clients as national counsel in a diverse array of matters, including jury trials, class actions, antitrust litigation, and appeals in state and federal courts. He serves as lead counsel for ExxonMobil and Buchanan Energy in franchise disputes. He graduated Order of the Coif and with Honors from the University of Chicago Law School and magna cum laude from Harvard University. He clerked for the Honorable James B. Loken, United States Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit. Before joining Blackwell Burke, Mr. Hulse was a partner at Kirkland & Ellis LLP.
Blackwell Burke P.A., a litigation and trial boutique in Minneapolis, Minnesota, serves as national trial and litigation counsel for several Fortune 500 companies. The firm has extensive experience in class action defense, commercial litigation, food industry defense, labor and employment, products liability, toxic tort litigation, and trial practice. 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. or our Benchmark Litigation “star” attorneys, please contact Kandy Branch at 612-343-3235.