Kathryn Johnson
PEOPLE

Kathryn Johnson

Partner
johnson.kate@dorsey.com

Overview

KATE APPLIES SUBSTANTIVE LEGAL KNOWLEDGE AND PRACTICAL EXPERIENCE TO HELP CLIENTS DEVELOP AND IMPLEMENT STRATEGIES FOR NAVIGATING COMPLEX LITIGATION MATTERS.

Kate is a commercial litigator and partner in Dorsey’s Minneapolis office, focusing primarily on construction litigation. She represents owners, contractors and sub-contractors in cases involving construction defect, delay, and scope claims. 

While her primary focus industry is construction, Kate also represents clients in a variety of complex commercial cases. She has represented companies in merger litigation and securities class actions, government investigations, and professional liability, antitrust, and general commercial disputes. She also has extensive experience managing all phases of discovery in cases of all sizes, ranging from third party subpoenas to large, complex cases, including use of emerging analytics techniques to increase efficiency and manage costs. 

Kate also maintains a vibrant pro bono practice, and has represented clients in housing court, asylum proceedings, and small business disputes. She currently serves on the pro bono defense team in a federal death penalty defense case.
 

Education & Admissions

University of Pennsylvania Law School (J.D., 2009)

Whittier College (B.A., Social Work, 2005), summa cum laude

Admissions

  • Minnesota
  • U.S. District Court for the District of Minnesota

Experience

Representative Litigation

Represented a global EPC contractor in state court, federal court, bankruptcy and arbitration proceedings concerning a 700 mw supercritical coal fired electric generation plant with claims totaling approximately $1 billion resulting in a $74 million award in the client's favor.

Represented general contractor in multi-million dollar arbitration regarding construction of an LNG plant involving general contractor’s claim for damages caused by subcontractor’s delay, and subcontractor’s claim of entitlement to additional time and money due to a purported change-in-law; case resolved favorably.

Bushansky v. OneBeacon Insurance (U.S. Dist. Minn) – Represented defendants in litigation challenging Intact Financial Corp.’s $1.7 billion purchase of OneBeacon Insurance.  Plaintiffs withdrew their motion for a preliminary injunction and dismissed their securities fraud claims with prejudice prior to the shareholder vote.

Webster v. Daniels, Case No. 14-1049 (7th Cir. May 1, 2015) – Member of Dorsey team that obtained a favorable ruling from the 7th Circuit Court of Appeals, sitting en banc, in high-profile death penalty matter.

News & Resources

Articles

"Constructing a Successful E-Discovery Strategy: Foundational Principles and Building Blocks," Journal of the American College of Construction Lawyers, Volume 12 No. 2
Government Contractors Beware: Failing to Provide Notice to Your Insurer Before Settling May Doom Your Chance of Recovery
Settling Parties Beware: Failing to Provide Notice to Your Insurer Before Settling May Doom Your Chance of Recovery

News & Press Mentions

How to Effectively Manage the E-Discovery Process in Complex Commercial Litigation
Chambers USA 2023 Recognizes 30 Dorsey Lawyers and 10 Practices in Minneapolis
Chambers USA 2023 Recognizes Dorsey Lawyers and Practices
Jocelyn Knoll and Kate Johnson Help City of Minot's Win P3 Dispute
Jury rules in favor of City in downtown parking structure lawsuit
ACLU OF LOUISIANA FILES FOUR LAWSUITS, INVESTIGATING NEARLY 40 CLAIMS OF RACIST POLICING
ABA 2020 Volunteer Recognition & Awards Program
Dorsey Partners Kirsten Schubert and Kathryn Johnson Recognized for Exceptional Pro Bono Service
Dorsey Partner Steve Wells Discusses Judge Vacating Federal Death Sentence
Dorsey Secures Groundbreaking Reversal of Death Sentence
Dorsey Attorneys Receive National Advocate of the Year Award
Five Disputes Lawyers Join Dorsey Partnership
Dorsey & Whitney Names New Partners
Dorsey & Whitney Represents Kværner ASA in $74 Million Arbitration Award

Podcasts

How to Effectively Manage the E-Discovery Process in Complex Commercial Litigation

Industries & Practices

  • Antitrust & Competition Law
  • Banking & Financial Institutions
  • Construction Litigation
  • Development & Infrastructure
  • Electronic Discovery
  • Energy & Natural Resources
  • Healthcare & Life Sciences
  • Real Estate Litigation

Professional & Civic

Professional Achievements

  • Minnesota Bar Association
  • Hennepin County Bar Association
  • Minnesota Women Lawyers

Accolades

Chambers USA 2023

  • Named one of “America’s Leading Business Lawyers” by Chambers USA (Construction), 2023

Diversity & Inclusion 50+ Hours 2022

  • Contributed more than 50+ Diversity hours, 2022

    Pro Bono 100 Hours 2022    Contributed 100+ Pro Bono Hours in 2021Contributed 100+ Pro Bono Hours in 2020

  • Contributed more than 100+ Challenge pro bono hours, 2020-2022

  North Star Lawyer logo

  • MSBA North Star Lawyer, 2012-2022
Kathryn Johnson