Brian D. Steffes

Brian practices civil litigation with a focus on representing developers, contractors, and businesses. He litigates high exposure claims and complex cases in a broad range of areas, including: personal injury, construction defect, trucking liability, product liability, commercial litigation, and environmental claims. He is a successful trial attorney, who has obtained favorable jury verdicts and settlements. He has litigated matters throughout the country and is licensed in Minnesota, Wisconsin and Illinois. He is also a member of the Minnesota Defense Lawyers Association, Minnesota State Bar Association, Minnesota Construction Association and Twin Cities Claims Association.

Selected Cases:

  • Recently obtained a defense verdict of no liability for our Property Owner (Landlord) and Property Manager client, following a week-long jury trial.  Plaintiff requested $1,025,000 from the jury after alleging negligent maintenance of the building. 
  • Recently obtained $1,017,141 total judgment on behalf of a general contractor against a developer/owner on breach of contract following a week-long trial.
  • Defended multiple general contractors and developers on numerous construction defect cases involving large-scale multi-family residences, apartments, mixed-use developments, including contractual indemnity and defense issues.
  • Obtained $2.5 million judgment for a general contractor following a two-week jury trial, on a claim involving breach of a construction contract.
  • Obtained Summary Judgment Dismissal of a Federal Court action involving environmental claims under RCRA and TSCA with allegations exceeding $14 million.
  • Represented national construction company in complex construction defect defense involving multi-state litigation. Successfully attained very favorable settlement immediately prior to arbitration.
  • Represented national trucking company in personal injury accident wherein plaintiff claimed a traumatic brain injury. Successfully obtained jury verdict at less than 10% of Plaintiff’s demand.
  • Successfully defended Illinois trucking company to a favorable mediation resolution in personal injury accident wherein plaintiff claimed a traumatic brain injury and extensive future damages.
  • Represented global corporation to advantageous settlement in relation to significant product defect claims.
  • Defended youth football league against an action by a minor for an alleged traumatic brain injury.
  • Successfully obtained summary judgment in defense of a charity foundation involving a high exposure personal injury action.
  • Obtained $204,866 judgment on behalf of stockholder against corporation and its principal owner on claims including fraud, misrepresentation and breach of fiduciary duty.

Education:

  • University of Wisconsin, J.D., 2004
  • University of Notre Dame, B.A., Cum Laude 2001

Bar Admissions:

  • Minnesota
  • Wisconsin
  • Illinois

Practice Areas:

  • Catastrophic Loss (Fires & Explosions)
  • Commercial Litigation
  • Construction Law
  • General Liability and Civil Litigation
  • Insurance Coverage and Litigation
  • Personal Injury Defense
  • Product Liability
  • Professional Liability (Architects & Engineers)
  • Professional Liability (Accountants & Attorneys)
  • Toxic Torts/Diacetyl
  • Environmental/Pollution (RCRA/TSCA Defense)
  • Transportation Law
  • Emerging Contaminant / Perfluoroalkyl and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) Contamination and Exposure Litigation

Awards and Honors:

  • Named to the Super Lawyers® List in 2020 – 2023.
  • Named to the Super Lawyers® Rising Stars list in 2014 – 2018.

Publications and Presentations:

  • Co-Author of Minnesota section in DRI’s Construction Litigation Desk Reference:  A Fifty State Guide to Construction Litigation
  • “Mediations: A Practical Guide to Balancing Clients’ Goals and the Process”

Pro Bono:

  • Volunteer with Mid-Minnesota Legal Aid and Volunteer Lawyer’s Network

Brian D. Steffes
(612) 332-0100 main
(612) 902-2750 direct dial
(612) 332-9951 facsimile
bsteffes@fisherbren.com

Legal Administrative Assistant:
Tricia Kreie
(612) 902-2754
tkreie@fisherbren.com