Minneapolis
(612) 340-8755 P
(952) 516-5549 F

Michael J. Wahoske

Partner

Michael J. Wahoske is a partner of the firm and chair of Dorsey’s appellate practice group.  His practice is focused almost exclusively on appellate litigation.  He has represented clients in federal and state appellate courts throughout the United States on a wide variety of matters.

Mr. Wahoske is a Fellow of the American Academy of Appellate Lawyers. He served as a law clerk to the Hon. Warren E. Burger, Chief Justice of the United States, during the Court's 1979 October Term.

Representative Litigation

• United States v. CNA Financial Corp., et al.  Federal appellate case (9th Cir.) involving state insurance law and federal statutory interpretation issues.
• In re: Sac & Fox Tribe of the Mississippi in Iowa/Meskwaki Casino Litigation.  Federal appellate case (8th Cir.) involving Indian Gaming Regulatory Act and tribal governance issues.

Admissions

• The Supreme Court of the United States
• The United States Courts of Appeals for the Fourth, Sixth, Seventh, Eighth, Ninth, Tenth, Eleventh, Federal and D.C. Circuits
• The United States District Court for the District of Minnesota
• The Minnesota Supreme Court and the State Courts of Minnesota
• The Supreme Court of the Winnebago Tribe of Nebraska

Honors

• Fellow, American Academy of Appellate Lawyers
• Listed in Best Lawyers in America, 2007-2008
• Special Recognition Award, presented by the National Association of Attorneys General, for assistance to the States in practice before the Supreme Court of the United States, December 2003
• Volunteer Recognition Award, presented by the National Association of Attorneys General, for sustained assistance to the States in preparation for their appearances before the Supreme Court of the United States, January 1993
• Supreme Court Reception Honors, presented by The State and Local Legal Center on behalf of the National Governors’ Association, National Conference of State Legislatures, Council of State Governments, National League of Cities, National Association of Counties, National Institute of Municipal Law Officers, International City/County Management Association, and U.S. Conference of Mayors, for substantial contribution to the representation of state and local governmental interests in the Supreme Court of the United States, October 1991, 1992, 1993, and 1995

Clerkships

• Supreme Court of the United States, the Hon. Warren E. Burger (1979 October Term)
• U.S. Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit, the Hon. Luther M. Swygert (1978-1979)

Education

• University of Notre Dame Law School
  J.D., 1978, summa cum laude
  Hoynes Prize (first in class)
  Kiley Fellowship
  Executive Editor of the Notre Dame Lawyer (law review)
  
• University of Notre Dame
  B.A., 1975, summa cum laude
  Valedictorian
  Phi Beta Kappa
  

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