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Overview
ANNA IS A COMMERCIAL LITIGATOR SPECIALIZING IN REAL ESTATE DISPUTES
Anna’s real estate litigation practice includes property torts, construction cases, environmental claims, and resolution of disputes arising from commercial leases and property-related contracts. She is versatile in handling a variety of other matters as her clients’ needs may require. When faced with litigation or another significant dispute, Anna’s clients appreciate her pragmatism, diligence, and direct approach to communication. She practices in courts throughout the United States, specializing in Minnesota state district and appellate courts.
Anna also maintains an active pro bono practice in immigration and housing matters.
Education & Admissions
University of Minnesota (J.D., 2015)
Augsburg College (B.A., 2009)
Admissions
- Minnesota
- U.S. District Court for the District of Minnesota
- U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Indiana
- U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit
Languages
- Spanish
Clerkships
- Minnesota Court of Appeals, Shared Clerk, 2015-2016
Experience
Representative Experience
- Advise, negotiate, and litigate on behalf of commercial tenants and landlords in leasing disputes throughout the United States.
- Obtained temporary restraining order to prevent unlawful lockout of tenant medical clinic from its leased premises and preserve continuous patient access to critical healthcare services. (Ariz. state court, 2023)
- Defended owner and operator of luxury hotel in staffing contract dispute. (Minn. Dist. Ct. 2023)
- Defended owner of mixed-use residential and commercial building against construction defect and other property tort claims. (Minn. Dist. Ct. 2022)
- Defended departing tenant following expiration of long-term commercial lease against breach-of-contract claims arising from landlord’s demand for historical restorations to the property. (Mass. state court, 2022)
- Defended breach-of-contract claims against former prospective buyer of multi-family residential property related to terminated purchase agreement following discovery of serious construction defects. (Colo. state court, 2022)
- Represented private managed care organization in multi-party litigation to enforce statutory scheme governing procurement of public contracts for Minnesota’s medical assistance program. (Minn. Dist. Ct. 2022 & Minn. App. 2023)
- Represented agricultural cooperative in motion to vacate improper default judgment. (Minn. Dist. Ct. 2022)
- Defended manufacturer in putative class action involving allegations of environmental harms to property and diminution in value of real estate. (Minn. Dist. Ct. 2021)
- Represented developer in multi-party litigation to determine liability for post-construction flood damage. (Minn. Dist. Ct. 2021)
- Represented alternative investment management advisory firm in litigation and arbitration against former employee involving noncompete, trade secrets, and defamation claims. (Minn. Dist. Ct. 2021 and FINRA Arbitration)
- Defended aerospace and technology company against claims of strict liability for alleged environmental contamination, securing early dismissal of all counts under Rule 12(b)(6). (D. Minn. 2020)
- Represented manufacturer in litigation against Minnesota Department of Labor & Industry and Minnesota Department of Health, quickly securing permission to restart operations following administrative shutdown order. (Minn. Dist. Ct. 2019 and Minn. App. 2020)
- Represented petitioners in federal tax court regarding $100 million theft-loss deduction resulting from the Tom Petters Ponzi scheme. (U.S. Tax Court 2020)
- Secured H-1B visa through litigation following arbitrary and capricious denial by administrative agency. (D. Minn. 2020)
- Preserved dismissal of claims against public officials on the basis of taxpayer standing. (Minn. App. 2020, review denied)
- Successfully defend pharmacy benefits manager in putative class action alleging ERISA violations, defeating motion for class certification. (D. Minn. 2020)
- Represented dairy business partnership in pursuing expulsion of adverse partner, defending False Claims Act allegations, and arbitration of managed buyout involving significant real property and related business operations. (D. Minn. 2018 and AAA Arbitration)
- Achieved direct reversal for trustee on appeal regarding improper application of trust language. (Minn. App. 2017, review denied)
- Represented agricultural land purchaser in litigation and mediation to enforce purchase agreement and resolve disputed drainage easement. (Minn. Dist. Ct. 2017)
- Won attorney fees for lender against frivolous litigant with respect to various foreclosed parcels of real property. (Minn. Dist. Ct. 2017)
- Represented wrongfully deported permanent resident in successful appeal to the United States Supreme Court. (Mellouli v. Lynch, 2015)
News & Resources
Articles
July 25, 2023
September 20, 2019
News & Press Mentions
November 10, 2023
June 20, 2019
Events & Speaking Engagements
Legal Writings
- Local Collaboration Shapes National Policy: Mellouli v. Lynch (Hennepin Lawyer, July/Aug 2016)
Select Presentations
- Presenter "Running the Long Emergency: Sources and Limits of Executive Power over Minnesota Business in the Time of COVID-19," Dorsey & Whitney LLP, June 2020
- Presenter "Negotiating Contracts & Leases When the Unexpected Hits: a Conversation with LegalCORPS," Minnesota Council of Nonprofits, June 2020
- Presenter "Litigating Employment-Based Immigration Cases: The New Essential Tool," American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA) 2020 Upper Midwest Immigration Law Conference
- I-9 Compliance & Immigration Basics for Agricultural Employers (CLE presented in collaboration with the Minnesota State Bar Association, December 2018)
Industries & Practices
Development & Infrastructure
Explore This Practice View client achievements related to this practice View resources related to this practiceTrusts & Estates Litigation
Explore This Practice View client achievements related to this practice View resources related to this practice- Appellate
- Commercial Litigation
- Construction Litigation
- Development & Infrastructure
- Environmental
- Real Estate & Land Use
- Real Estate Litigation
- Trusts & Estates Litigation
Professional & Civic
Community Involvement
- VocalEssence, Board of Directors (2022-2025)
- Mid-Minnesota Legal Aid, Co-Chair of Associates Campaign (2019-2021)
- Mid-Minnesota Legal Aid, Board of Directors (2016-2018)
- CARA Family Detention Pro Bono Project, represent asylum-seekers at credible-fear interviews in Dilley, Texas (April 2017)
- Volunteer Lawyers Network, Minnesota Justice Foundation Summer Fellowship (2014)
- Immigrant Law Center of Minnesota, Minnesota Justice Foundation Summer Fellowship (2013)
Accolades
- Named "Minneapolis Ones to Watch" in Commercial Litigation and Appellate Practice by Best Lawyers®, 2021-2024
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- Contributed more than 100 Challenge pro bono hours, 2020, 2022
- Dorsey & Whitney – Scales of Justice Team Award (Rebuilding Our Community Webinar Series), 2021
- MSBA North Star Lawyer, 2017-2022
