MINNEAPOLIS (Nov. 16, 2007) — Attorney Tim Branson, a partner in the Minneapolis office of global law firm Dorsey & Whitney LLP, is the recipient of a 2007 Distinguished Service Award from the Minnesota Justice Foundation for his work on a racial-profiling case. Branson led a team of volunteer lawyers for the American Civil Liberties Union of Minnesota through a several-year legal battle on behalf of Bonita Berg.
In 2001, Berg was searched by federal Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) representatives at the Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport. Berg believed she was singled out because she is black. Statistical evidence produced by the DEA supported this belief. The search turned up a Bible and Bible study materials, but no drugs. The case was settled in August 2007, with the DEA paying Berg $20,000 in the first known case of the DEA making a payment to settle a racial-profiling case.
Branson represents business clients in civil litigation, primarily in the areas of ERISA, product liability and recalls, reinsurance and commercial litigation. He is active in pro bono legal work, particularly in civil liberties cases.
About the Minnesota Justice Foundation
MJF was founded in 1982 by law students who were concerned about the decreasing availability of legal services for low-income and disadvantaged Minnesotans. MJF recruits law students to serve Minnesota's poorest clients by working with more than 150 poverty law agencies, public interest organizations, and law firms across Minnesota. This is the 17th year that MJF has issued its Distinguished Service Award. Branson is the third Dorsey & Whitney LLP partner to receive the Award.