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© 2013 Dorsey & Whitney LLP

 

  • Ranked as a leading Construction lawyer by Chambers USA, 2010-2012
  • Marquis, Who's Who in American Law, Currently
  • Named in The Best Lawyers in America, 2006-2013
  • Inducted into USTA Northern Section Tennis Hall of Fame
  • Named a Minnesota Super Lawyer, 2001-2013
  • Named "Tennis Person of the Decade" by Northwestern Tennis Association, 1990

  • University of Minnesota Law School (J.D., 1969), cum laude
  • Vanderbilt University (B.A., History, 1966)

  • Minnesota
  • Admitted to practice before the United States District Court for the District of Minnesota
  • The United States Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit and the State Courts of Minnesota

Steven K. Champlin

Of Counsel
Minneapolis
P: (612) 340-2913
F: (612) 340-2868
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Of Counsel, Dorsey & Whitney.  Practice includes responsibility for a variety of types of commercial litigation and arbitrations, with emphasis on representation of owners, contractors, subcontractors, suppliers, and architects and engineers in construction disputes; representation of landlords and tenants in commercial lease disputes; representation of lenders and borrowers in mortgage foreclosures and work outs; representation of property owners in real estate tax appeals and condemnations; business planning aimed at avoiding litigation; and serving as a mediator or arbitrator in construction matters.

Over a period of over thirty-five years practicing law has represented clients in hundreds of matters and been involved in numerous civil jury and court trials, appeals to appellate courts, arbitrations, mediations and negotiations. In the past few years, practice has focused heavily on representation of parties involved in large industrial projects faced with disputes involving millions of dollars in claims.

  • Partner, Trial, Regulatory & Technology Department, Dorsey & Whitney (formerly the Litigation Department), 1976 - 2012
  • Construction and Real Estate Related Litigation Group Head, 1999 - present
  • Commercial Lease and Real Estate Tax Appeal Group Head, 1987 - 1999
  • Construction Law Group Head, 1984  -1995
  • Litigation Department Associate Practice Education Partner, 1984 – 1991
  • Associate, Dorsey & Whitney (with exception of periods noted below), 1969-1975
  • Chief Hennepin County Public Defender for Misdemeanors, Dec. 1972 -June 1973
  • United States Army, 1st Lieutenant — 1970 (Legal advisor to court martial reviewing officer)
    Captain — 1971 (Army Contracting Officer in the then Republic of Vietnam)

Presentations

Frequent speaker at continuing legal education and industry seminars and meetings and author of articles or papers on construction, commercial leasing, and other issues, including, among many others, in recent years:
  • CLE: Speaker and author: “Scope of Relief in Arbitration Awards: Includion of Attorneys’ Fees and Prejudgment Interest?”, Center For International Legal Studies, 2012
  • CLE: Speaker and presenter: ”Engineering Ethics and the Law,” 2009
  • CLE: Speaker and author: “The Role of Counsel in a Mechanic’s Lien Case Mediation,” MN CLE, 2008
  • CLE: Speaker for seminar: "Construction Owners Disputes: Avoiding Claims and Lawsuits," 2007
  • CLE: Speaker and author: “Contracting With Indian Tribes: Native American Tribal Sovereign Immunity, The Tribal Court System, and Arbitration Clause In Tribal Contracts,” Center for International Legal Studies, 2007  
  • CLE: Speaker and author: “Perspectives on Litigating Boundary Disputes in Minnesota,” Real Estate Institute, 2006
  • CLE: Speaker and author: “The ‘Manifest Disregard of the Law’ Standard for Overturning Arbitration Awards Under the FAA,” Center for International Legal Studies, 2006
  • CLE: Speaker and author: “Effective Dispute Resolution by Arbitration,” Minnesota State Bar Association Continuing Legal Education, 2006
  • CLE: Speaker: “Pros and Cons of AAA Construction Arbitration,” Center for International Legal Studies, 2005
  • CLE: Speaker and author: “Current Issues in AAA Arbitration,” Minnesota State Bar Construction Section, 2004
  • CLE: Speaker and author: “The Role of Counsel in a Successful Construction Mediation,” Center for International Legal Studies, 2003
  • CLE: Speaker and author: “Construction Contracting for Public Entities in Minnesota,” Lorman Education Services, November 2002
  • CLE: Speaker and author: “Counsel’s Role in a Successful Mediation,” Minnesota State Bar Construction Section, 2002
  • CLE: Speaker and author: “Successful Design-Build Project Delivery,” Design-Build Institute of America, 2002
  • CLE: Speaker: “Contract Formation & Risk Allocation in Retaining Wall Contracts” and “Collecting the Money You Are Owed: Mechanic’s Lien, Bond, & Other Rights,” Aggregate Industries & Keystone Retaining Wall Systems Association, 2001
  • CLE: Speaker and author: “Presenting a Winning Case in Construction Arbitration,” Minnesota State Bar Construction Section, 2001
  • CLE: Speaker and author: “Mortgage Foreclosure in Minnesota,” Lorman Education Services, 2001
  • CLE: Speaker and author: “Defective Performance Damages: Discussion of Diminished Value and Economic Waste Principles,” Minnesota State Bar Construction Section, 2000

Professional Activities

  • Member, American Bar Association and Minnesota State Bar Association
  • Member and Past Chair of Minnesota State Bar Association Construction Section
  • Member of CPR Construction Panel of Distinguished Neutrals, 1994 - present  
  • Registered Member of Minnesota State Court System ADR Neutral Roster, 1994  - present
  • AAA arbitrator since 1980 and Member, National Large, Complex Panel of Arbitrators for Construction Industry of the American Arbitration Association, 2005 – present

News & Press Mentions

June 7, 2012
Dorsey Lawyers and Practices in Minnesota Highly Ranked By Chambers & Partners