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Overview
AS A COMMERCIAL LITIGATOR, ANNA HELPS HER CLIENTS IDENTIFY AND ACHIEVE THEIR BEST POSSIBLE OUTCOMES IN DISPUTE RESOLUTION.
Anna litigates a range of commercial and governmental matters focusing on real estate cases, leasing (representing both landlords and tenants of commercial property), automotive distribution, and other contract disputes. She practices in state and federal courts throughout the United States in addition to alternative dispute resolution forums.
Anna also maintains an active pro bono practice representing low-income clients 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.
- Represent automakers in franchising and other dealer disputes throughout the United States.
- Defend owner of mixed-use residential and commercial building against construction defect and other property tort claims of adjacent property owner. (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)
- Defend 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)
- Represent 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)
- 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 salvage 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
September 20, 2019
News & Press Mentions
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
Trusts & Estates Litigation
Explore This Practice View client achievements related to this practice View resources related to this practice- Appellate
- Commercial Litigation
- Construction Litigation
- Environmental
- Immigration
- Insurance Law
- Labor & Employment
- Real Estate & Land Use
- Real Estate Litigation
- Trusts & Estates Litigation
Professional & Civic
Community Involvement
- VocalEssence, Board of Directors (2022-2025)
- Pro bono representation in asylum, U visa, naturalization, and various forms of humanitarian immigration relief
- Mid-Minnesota Legal Aid, Co-Chair of Associates Campaign (2019-2021)
- Mid-Minnesota Legal Aid, Board of Directors (2016-2018)
- Asylum triage and representation at credible-fear interviews through CARA Family Detention Pro Bono Project 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®, 2021-2023
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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 (2017-2020)
