Theresa Bevilacqua
PEOPLE

Theresa Bevilacqua

Partner
bevilacqua.theresa@dorsey.com

Overview

THERESA HELPS CLIENTS MANAGE LITIGATION CHALLENGES THROUGH GAINING AN EARLY UNDERSTANDING OF THE BUSINESS’S RISK TOLERANCE, LEVERAGING HER INDUSTRY KNOWLEDGE, AND SEAMLESSLY LEADING TRIAL TEAMS ACROSS FUNCTIONS AND ORGANIZATIONS.

Theresa is known for her creative problem solving and her ability to make the uncertainties of litigation predictable for her clients. She also has a proven track record for leading trial teams in any litigated forum and obtaining total defense verdicts in jury and bench trials. Theresa has previously served as Co-Chair of the Commercial Litigation Practice Group and Chair of the Minneapolis Trial Group,

Education & Admissions

Syracuse University (B.M., Music Industry, 1998), summa cum laude

Benjamin N. Cardozo School of Law - Yeshiva University (J.D., 2001), magna cum laude, Order of the Coif

Admissions

  • Minnesota
  • Supreme Court of the United States
  • U.S. District Court for the District of Minnesota
  • U.S. District Court for the District of Colorado
  • U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Wisconsin
  • U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit
  • U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit
  • U.S. Tax Court

Experience

Representative Litigation

  • Lead trial counsel experience across various industries including manufacturing, energy, agribusiness, aviation, and technology.
  • Complex arbitration and international proceedings for both claimants and respondents, defending claims for hundreds of millions of dollars, and obtaining more than $35 million in one matter.
  • In re the Estate of Ronald I. Meshbesher (Henn. Co. Dist. Ct., MN). Lead trial counsel for surviving spouse a 2-week bench trial; judgment for surviving spouse on all claims, May 2022.
  • Laura Sterns v. The Children’s Theatre Company et al. (Henn. Co. Dist. Ct., MN). Lead trial counsel for performing arts organization in a 2-week jury trial; jury verdict for theater on all claims, January 2019.
  • Thomas A. Berg et al v. Honeywell, Inc. (D. Alaska). Lead counsel for manufacturing defendant in federal False Claims Act qui tam suit; summary judgement for Honeywell on all claims; affirmed by the Ninth Circuit, July 2018.
  • Bay Side Recycling et al v. SKB Environmental et al. (Henn. Co. Dist. Ct., MN). Lead trial counsel for solid waste disposal company in 3 1/2 week jury trial; jury verdict for defendants on all claims in May 2018.
  • In re Medtronic Securities Litigation. Representing certain officers and company in PSLRA class action arising out of alleged failure to report adverse events.
  • Robert Kulla v. Gregg W. Steinhafel et al. (U.S.D.C. Minn.). Lead counsel for individual corporate officer defendants in derivative class action for breach of fiduciary duty stemming from the 2013 Target Corp. data breach.
  • Meda v. 3M Company, et al (S.D.N.Y.). Trial counsel for 3M Company, defending a breach of contract and fraud claim arising out of the divestiture of 3M’s European pharmaceutical business. Responsible for developing and implementing case strategy and management. Handled direct examinations of key witnesses at trial. Result: Complete defense judgment.
  • Porton v. 3M Company. Bench trial in the Royal Courts of Justice, London, U.K., June-July 2011. Trial counsel in international commercial dispute involving breach of an earn out provision in an acquisition agreement. Responsible for key witness direct and cross examination preparation and assisting barristers in trial. Result: Claimant required to pay Company’s attorneys’ fees under UK fee-shifting rules.
  • City of Rochester v. SMMPA. (Olmsted Co. Dist. Ct., MN), January 2009. Successfully defended a joint action agency in a contract dispute related to a 50-year Power Sales Contract brought by the agency’s largest member. Responsible for trial strategy, direct and cross examination of fact and expert witnesses, and all post-trial briefing. Result: Complete defense judgment.
  • In re Synovis Life Technologies. Represented officers, directors and company in PSLRA class action dismissed with prejudice after motion to dismiss.
  • Diaz v. Brian Warner a/k/a/Marilyn Manson. Jury trial in Federal District Court, Minnesota, September 2003. Defended entertainer in assault and battery claim brought by a security guard seeking damages in excess of $1 million. Result: Complete defense verdict.

News & Resources

Articles

Dispute Anticipation & Readiness Team
Supreme Court Unanimously Upholds Patent-Holders Rights in Agricultural Biotechnology Patent Case
"Time to Say Goodbye to Madonna’s American Pie: Why Mechanical Compulsory Licensing Should Be Put to Rest," 19 Cardozo Arts & Ent. L. J.

News & Press Mentions

17 Dorsey Lawyers Recognized by Benchmark Litigation
200 Dorsey Lawyers Selected for Inclusion in 2024 Best Lawyers in America, Lawyers of the Year, and Ones to Watch
Super Lawyers Recognizes 27 Dorsey Attorneys in Minneapolis
Chambers USA 2023 Recognizes 30 Dorsey Lawyers and 10 Practices in Minneapolis
Chambers USA 2023 Recognizes Dorsey Lawyers and Practices
Dorsey Partner Theresa Bevilacqua Admitted to American College of Trial Lawyers
Super Lawyers Recognizes 26 Dorsey Lawyers in Minneapolis
Chambers USA 2022 Recognizes Dorsey Lawyers and Practices
Super Lawyers Women’s Edition Recognizes Eight Dorsey Lawyers in Minneapolis
Finding Legal Pathways Through the Pandemic
The POWER 30: Theresa Bevilacqua
18 Dorsey Lawyers Recognized by Benchmark Litigation
Super Lawyers Recognizes 29 Dorsey Lawyers in Minneapolis
Super Lawyers Women’s Edition Recognizes Seven Dorsey Lawyers in Minneapolis
Benchmark Litigation Recognizes 17 Dorsey Lawyers
RBG: Legal community recalls a trailblazer
Dorsey Partner Theresa Bevilacqua Comments on COVID Stimulus Program Risks
Dorsey Partner Theresa Bevilacqua Discusses Litigating the Pandemic
Super Lawyers Recognizes 38 Dorsey Lawyers in Minneapolis
An Epidemic of Litigation
Super Lawyers Women’s Edition Recognizes 11 Dorsey Lawyers in Minneapolis
Benchmark Litigation Recognizes 17 Dorsey Lawyers
Meet the two women overseeing Dorsey's litigation team
"Moving the Practice Forward", Attorney at Law
Benchmark Litigation Recognizes 16 Dorsey Lawyers

Industries & Practices

  • Class Action Litigation
  • Commercial Litigation
  • Cooperative Law
  • Creative Industries
  • Energy & Natural Resources
  • Food, Beverage & Agribusiness
  • Securities & Financial Services Litigation & Enforcement
  • Trusts & Estates Litigation

Professional & Civic

Community Involvement

  • Director – St. Paul Chamber Orchestra
  • District of Minnesota Federal Defender Second Chair Program Participant
  • Advocate – Children’s Law Center

Accolades

Chambers USA 2023Chambers 2022 

  • Fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers
  • Listed in Best Lawyers in America©, 2022-2024
  • Listed in Chambers USA: America's Leading Lawyers for Business, Litigation: General Commercial, 2023
  • Listed in Minnesota Super Lawyers®, 2020-2023
  • Minnesota Lawyer The POWER 30: Business Litigation, 2021-2022
  • Recognized as a "Future Star" by Benchmark Litigation, 2021-2022
  • Listed as a Minnesota Super Lawyers Women’s Edition, 2020-2022

Contributed 50+ Pro Bono Hours in 2020

  • Contributed more than 50 Challenge pro bono hours, 2020 

North Star Lawyer logo

  • MSBA North Star Lawyer, 2013-2016, 2020

   Benchmark Ligitation 2017  Benchmark Litigation Under 40 Hotlist 2017        

  • Recognized as one of Benchmark Litigation's Under 40 Hot List, 2016-2018
  • Listed as a "Rising Star" by Minnesota Super Lawyers, 2006-2007, 2009-2016
  • Up and Coming Attorney, Minnesota Lawyer, 2009
Theresa Bevilacqua