Clients rely on Andy’s ability to navigate the complexities of environmental law and litigation.

Overview

Andy represents a diverse array of clients in complex litigation and regulatory matters in the areas of environmental, energy, and transportation law.  He is skilled at managing large litigation teams in multi-party matters involving complex scientific evidence, document management and e-discovery issues, and expert witness teams.

An experienced litigator, Andy understands that the ability to distill and communicate complex issues to diverse stakeholders is key to successful advocacy.  He has served as lead counsel in high-stakes proceedings before state and federal courts, administrative tribunals, and arbitration panels.  His recent experience includes matters involving emerging contaminants, toxic torts, cost recovery actions, and historic preservation issues.

Andy is active in the firm’s pro bono program.  He represents clients in immigration matters such as naturalization and asylum applications and proceedings. A French speaker, Andy uses his language skills to assist French-speaking clients in a variety of matters, from immigration to real estate acquisitions.

Andy previously served as an assistant attorney general in the Minnesota Attorney General's Office, where he represented the State of Minnesota in trial and appellate litigation. Following law school, he was a law clerk for the Honorable John R. Tunheim, U.S. District Judge in the District of Minnesota.

Andy lives in St. Paul, Minnesota with his wife and three children. He enjoys gardening, traveling, and playing and listening to music.

Experience

Andy represents railroads, transportation companies, agribusiness, and major manufacturers in a wide array of environmental and business litigation and regulatory matters including the following:

Cost recovery and environmental enforcement litigation involving CERCLA, MERLA, RCRA, the Clean Water Act, and the Oil Pollution Act, among others.

Federal class action defense involving environmental and toxic torts, noxious odors, and nuisance laws.

Matters involving emerging contaminants such as per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), and perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS).

Litigation involving natural resource damage assessments (NRDAs) and applicable federal regulations.

Litigation involving historic preservation issues under the Minnesota Environmental Rights Act, or MERA.

Litigation and regulatory issues related to state and federal environmental review laws such as the Minnesota Environmental Procedures Act (MEPA) and the National Environmental Procedures Act (NEPA).

Preemption litigation involving Class I railroads and the Interstate Commerce Commission Termination Act (ICCTA).

Litigation and arbitration related to power purchase agreements supply agreements.

Litigation involving the False Claims Act on behalf of clients in the health care, technology and insurance industries.

Counseling regarding tribal jurisdiction issues and the scope of potential environmental claims arising under tribal law.

Andy was lead litigation counsel on a matter of first impression at the Minnesota Office of Administrative Hearings (OAH) involving a bank’s attempted acquisition of a major share of its primary competitor in the region.

News & Insights

Speaking Engagements

"Basics of Administrative Law," Minnesota Environmental Institute, April 2017

"Protecting the Privilege: Considerations for In-House Counsel," in-house presentation, February 2017

"Environmental Law, Enforcement, and Documentation," Minnesota Asphalt Paving Association, March 2015

Recognitions

Recognitions

Recognized for pro bono work by the Minnesota Supreme Court and Minnesota State Bar Association, 2020

Minnesota Lawyer Attorney of the Year, 2013

Professional & Civic Activities

Professional & Civic Activities

Minnesota State Bar Association Section of Administrative Law, Past Chair

Friends of Como Park Zoo and Conservatory, Board of Directors

Federal Bar Association

Admissions

  • Minnesota
  • Wisconsin
  • U.S. District Court for the District of Minnesota
  • U.S. District Court for the Western District of Wisconsin
  • U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eighth Court
  • U.S. Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit

Education

University of Minnesota Law School, J.D., magna cum laude, 2006

University of Chicago, B.A., with honors, 1999

Clerkships

  • Honorable John R. Tunheim, U.S. District Judge in the District of Minnesota
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