Areas of Practice

Appellate Advocacy:
 In 1984 – only two years out of law school – Alan briefed and argued his first appeal, in the United States Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit.  The result was a precedent-setting decision.  In the more than 25 years since, Alan has briefed and argued appeals in the United States Courts of Appeal for the Fourth, Sixth, Seventh, Eighth, Tenth, and Federal Circuits, as well as the Minnesota appellate courts.  He has written and assisted with successful petitions for, and oppositions to, writs of certiorari to the Supreme Court of the United States.  Successful appellate advocacy requires the ability to look critically at proceedings in a lower court to determine which issues may be suitable for presentation to an appellate court with the highest likelihood of success.  It also requires the ability to communicate, in writing and at oral argument, why the lower court got it right – or wrong.  Alan possesses these skills by virtue of his extensive appellate experience.
 
 Commercial Litigation:
 Alan practices in all areas of commercial litigation, including breach of contract disputes, claims of fraud and misrepresentation, unfair competition, enforcement or defense of covenants not to compete, franchise issues, breaches under the Uniform Commercial Code, and other business-related claims.   He has tried commercial litigation matters to verdict before juries in state and federal courts around the country.  He represents both plaintiffs and defendants, and his clients have ranged from Fortune 50 corporations to small businesses to individuals.  His clients are not just Minnesota-based, but come from around the United States and the world.  In addition to traditional litigation, Alan has handled many domestic arbitration matters.
  
Patent Litigation:
Alan is a nationally recognized trial lawyer in the area of patent litigation.  He is listed in The Best Lawyers In America, Minnesota Super Lawyers, and Leading American Attorneys for his expertise in intellectual property law and litigation.  His clients have ranged from major international corporations to small businesses.  He has tried patent infringement cases to verdict literally from Los Angeles to New York City.  Alan has litigated patent infringement actions involving diverse technologies, including medical devices (surgically implantable, disposable, and diagnostic), shape memory alloys, software, electronics and electrical systems, chemical de-icing compositions, agricultural equipment, automotive repair equipment, snowmobile equipment, commercial refrigeration systems, remote sensing equipment, and electrical connectors. 
 
International Arbitration:
As businesses do more and more business internationally, the need for expertise and experience in international arbitration has grown.  Alan is one of the few lawyers in Minnesota with international arbitration expertise and experience.  He has handled cases for US and foreign companies before the International Chamber of Commerce in Paris, the London Court of International Arbitration, and the Stockholm Chamber of Commerce.  International arbitration involves rules and procedures quite different from traditional litigation or domestic arbitration.  Alan is familiar with the rules and procedures of all major international arbitration institutions.  Alan has been invited to judge preliminary and elimination rounds, as well as best brief competitions, at the Willem C. Vis International Arbitration Moot competition in Vienna, Austria, at which more than 225 law schools from around the world compete. 
  
International Litigation:
 As the global economy has expanded, so have the instances in which domestic or international corporations – or their subsidiaries – find themselves in litigation in US courts.  On many occasions, special consideration must be given to litigation on behalf of, or against, international entities.  Alan handled cases involving companies from around the world, including businesses from Australia, Canada, China, England, France, Germany, India, Japan, Korea, and Switzerland.  Whether it’s defending and helping explain the vagaries of US litigation to a foreign company, or asserting claims against a foreign corporation, Alan has the skills and experience to help achieve a favorable outcome.
 
Intellectual Property Litigation: 
In addition to patent infringement litigation, intellectual property litigation includes copyright and trademark infringement, trade dress infringement, various forms of unfair competition, and theft of trade secrets.  Alan has handled cases nationwide in each of these areas and has obtained favorable outcomes for his clients.  Whether stopping a competitor from unlawful acts or defending against a claim of theft of trade secrets, Alan brings to bear his extensive experience and expertise on behalf of his clients.