Dorsey & Whitney LLP Partners Jocelyn Knoll and Melissa Raphan have been named “Top Women in Law” by Minnesota Lawyer. Honorees were selected based on leadership, professionalism, accomplishment, and passion for making a difference. Those selected will be recognized at a gala event on Thursday, October 26, 2023, and featured in a special publication in Minnesota Lawyer on October 30, 2023.
Jocelyn Knoll is the leader of Dorsey’s public private partnership (P3) claims practice, prominent member of the Construction, Development & Infrastructure, Energy & Natural Resources, and Litigation groups, as well as a former member of Dorsey’s Policy Committee. Using her three decades of legal experience, Jocelyn has led and first-chaired some of the most important recent construction matters in the U.S.
In February 2023, Jocelyn helped secure the largest defense decision in a P3 construction-related trial, Denver Transit Partners v. Regional Transportation District [of Denver], venued in Denver County District Court, Colorado, and arising out of the $2.2 billion Eagle P3 Commuter Rail Project.
She was named a “Best Lawyer of the Year” by Best Lawyers in America (2017-2018, 2020, 2022-2024), one of "America's Leading Business Lawyers" by Chambers USA (Construction) (2008-2023), recognized in The POWER 30: Construction Law by Minnesota Lawyer (2023), and named a Minnesota Lawyer “Attorney of the Year” (2015).
Melisa Raphan is member of Dorsey’s Policy Committee and former Chair of Dorsey’s Labor and Employment Practice Group. Her employment litigation practice includes class actions, collective actions, multi-plaintiff actions, and single plaintiff cases nationwide in federal and state courts and agencies. She has particular experience litigating disputes and providing advice to clients in the financial services, healthcare, food & agriculture, and energy sectors.
Melissa is known as a fierce advocate for diversity in the business community. Knowing that sponsorship is vital to advance the careers of women and minority attorneys, she advocates stridently on their behalf. Her awareness that diverse teams deliver the best results for clients accounts for the highly successful teams she assembles for the matters she handles.
She was named one of “America’s Leading Business Lawyers” by Chambers USA (Labor & Employment) (2005-2023), recognized in Best Lawyers in America (2009-2023), and was named a Minnesota Super Lawyer by Super Lawyers (2006-2023).
Minnesota Lawyer’s Top Women in Law list recognizes educators, trailblazers, role models, public-service lawyers, and attorneys who dedicate their careers to nonprofit work, private practice, and in-house counsel. These women are considered leaders in their practice areas and critical to their organizations’ success.