Joseph W. Hammell
Partner
Partner in Dorsey's Labor and Employment Group, counseling clients and litigating in the areas of employment law, business torts, restrictive covenants, trade secrets, and general commercial litigation throughout the United States (including, Arizona, California, Colorado, Florida, Hawaii, Illinois, Indiana, Maryland, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Montana, New Jersey, New York, North Dakota, Pennsylvania, South Dakota, Texas, and Utah). Active leadership role in Employment Law practice group. Extensive trial and appellate experience. Work on jury research and with jury consultants on major litigation.
Representative Litigation
- Co-lead counsel for defense in case involving claims for over $1 billion for usurpation of corporate opportunity, breach of fiduciary duty, violation of restrictive covenants, and other claims. After 8 weeks of trial, judgment for defense at conclusion of plaintiff's case. Our client awarded $650,000 in costs.
- Co-lead counsel for defense in employee raiding and trade secret case with claimed damages of $450 million. Summary judgment for defense. Successfully argued 8th Circuit Appeal achieving full affirmance.
- Lead counsel for plaintiff in commercial contract dispute, winning $18.3 million jury verdict, affirmed on appeal.
Admissions
- Minnesota
- United States Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit
- The United States District Court for the District of Minnesota
Honors
- Selected as a "Leading Minnesota Attorney" in the areas of Commercial Litigation and Employment law in an independent survey of Minnesota Lawyers. (Fewer than 6% of the licensed attorneys in Minnesota have been identified as "Leading Attorneys.")
Education
- University of Michigan Law School
J.D., 1985, Associate Editor, Michigan Law Review
- Harvard University
B.A., Government, 1983, cum laude
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