Soule & Stull helps client win 8th Circuit Appeal

February 10, 2020. The 8^th Circuit Court of Appeals today issued its opinion affirming dismissal of defendant Vermeer Manufacturing Company in a lawsuit in federal court in Missouri. Plaintiff Robert Ellingsworth sued Vermeer, claiming defects in connection with a brush chipper manufactured by Vermeer. The district court granted summary judgment to Vermeer, holding that there were no defects in Vermeer’s brush chipper, but the alleged defects related to parts added to the brush chipper by a third party. The 8^th Circuit Court of Appeals held that the district court properly granted Vermeer summary judgment. Soule & Stull, along with Springfield, MO counsel Rod Loomer, represented Vermeer in the lawsuit and appeal. George Soule argued in the 8^th Circuit on behalf of Vermeer. You may read the 8^th Circuit opinion here.

Melissa Stull and Jennifer Wichelman Present to MSBA

March 2, 2020.  Melissa Stull presented today with Office of Lawyers Professional Responsibility Senior Assistant Director Jennifer Wichelman at the Minnesota State Bar Association Civil Litigation CLE entitled Trials and Tribulations: Trying a Civil Case Ethically and Professionally. The duo discussed the Minnesota Rules of Professional Conduct in the context of issues that may arise during a civil trial. Melissa is past-chair of the MSBA Civil Litigation Section.

Jennifer Wichelman and Melissa Stull

George Soule speaks on mediation best practices

February 27, 2020. George Soule spoke on a panel today at a Minnesota State Bar Association Civil Litigation Section Seminar about Best Practices in Preparing You and Your Clients for Mediation. George joined retired Judges (and current mediators) Arthur Boylan and Kathleen Gearin and moderator Annamarie Daley to discuss strategies for preparing for and participating in mediation. In addition to his work as a trial lawyer, George is a qualified neutral under Rule 114 of the Minnesota General Rules of Practice.

George and Melissa Honored as 2019 Attorneys of the Year

February 6, 2020. Minnesota Lawyer honored George and Melissa at a banquet tonight as 2019 Attorneys of the Year. The publication chose honorees based on leadership in the profession, involvement in major cases, other newsworthy events, excellence in corporate or transactional services, and public service.

“The case was 6 years old, the client out of business and the stakes high when Minneapolis attorneys George Soule and Melissa Stull were called in: The plaintiff’s injuries were severe and he would seek $15 million economic damages plus pain and suffering and punitive damages…”

George and Melissa were recognized for successfully defending their client and obtaining a defense verdict in 2019 in the United States District Court for the District of Colorado. Soule & Stull attorneys, paralegals, friends and family (and even Emma and Lucas) attended the banquet. You can read the Minnesota Lawyer story about George and Melissa here.

George and Melissa to speak at Civil Litigation Seminars

February 2020. George and Melissa will speak at MSBA Civil Litigation Section seminars in the next few weeks. George will join a panel of mediators on February 27 to talk about Best Practices in Preparing You and Your Clients for Mediation. Melissa will discuss Trials and Tribulations: Trying a Civil Case Ethically and Professionally on March 3, along with Jennifer Wichelman from the Minnesota Office of Lawyers Professional Responsibility. For more information, or to register for the seminars, you can go here (Mediation) or here (Ethics).

George and Melissa attend DRI Product Liability Conference

February 2020. George and Melissa attended the Defense Research Institute Product Liability Conference in New Orleans. The conference is a gathering of product liability lawyers nationally and features seminars and discussions on high profile liability issues, current litigation trends, and practice tips. The conference is a good opportunity for George and Melissa to meet with clients and lawyers from other states with whom they work. Of course, George and Melissa also got a small taste of what NOLA has to offer!

Soule & Stull Celebrates Sixth Anniversary

February 1, 2020. Soule & Stull celebrated its Sixth Anniversary with family at Holman’s Table in St. Paul. George Soule and Melissa Stull started their firm in February 2014. The firm has five lawyers, two paralegals, and Retired Justice Paul Anderson and Judge John McShane provide mediation and arbitration and consulting services. “In 2019, we were excited to be recognized regionally and nationally for our diversity, commitment to remaining a ‘small firm,’ and success on behalf of our clients,” Melissa Stull said. “We are looking forward to a busy and rewarding 2020!” The firm focuses on product liability, commercial litigation, personal injury and property damage, Indian law, appeals, and alternative dispute resolution.

George and Melissa Selected as 2019 Attorneys of the Year by Minnesota Lawyer

December 2, 2019. Soule & Stull is pleased to announce George and Melissa have been selected by Minnesota Lawyer as 2019 Attorneys of the Year. The publication choses honorees based on leadership in the profession, involvement in major cases, other newsworthy events, excellence in corporate or transactional services, and public service.

George and Melissa were honored for their role in successfully defending their client and obtaining a full defense verdict earlier this year in the United States District Court for the District of Colorado. More information on the case is available here: https://soulestull.com/2019/11/14/soule-stull-helps-client-win-defense-verdict/. George and Melissa will be profiled in the Attorneys of the Year magazine and honored at an event in the new year.

The full list of honorees is located here: https://minnlawyer.com/attorneys-of-the-year/

Soule & Stull Helps Client Win Defense Verdict

U.S. District Court, Denver, CO

June 27, 2019. George and Melissa (and local counsel Jordan Lipp) successfully defended their client, obtaining a full defense verdict in the United States District Court for the District of Colorado. Plaintiff truck driver sustained injuries when he was struck by cargo that fell off of his step-deck trailer at the unloading site in Minneapolis.  Soule & Stull’s client Immedia had purchased the cargo and plaintiff transported the cargo from the Denver area to Minneapolis.  Plaintiff claimed that Immedia failed to prepare the cargo adequately for shipment and was negligent in supervising the unloading process in Minneapolis. During the two week trial, the parties presented thirty-nine witnesses, including eighteen expert witnesses. Plaintiff requested the jury award over $15 million in economic losses in addition to pain and suffering damages and punitive damages. After four hours of deliberation, the jury returned a defense verdict, finding against plaintiff’s claims that Immedia was negligent and vicariously liable for alleged negligence of its contractor.

George and Melissa Quoted in Law.com Article on Diversity

Oct. 11, 2019. Today law.com published an article exploring how small, experienced law firms can be an excellent way to access greater diversity when seeking outside counsel. Soule & Stull is 100% minority and woman owned and both George and Melissa discussed diversity with the article’s author. Diversity is “especially important in litigation and trial practice, to have a diverse trial team that looks like the jury you’re going to be trying the case in front of” said Melissa. The full article is available here: https://www.law.com/corpcounsel/2019/10/11/in-house-lawyers-want-diversity-should-they-send-more-work-to-boutique-firms/

Soule & Stull featured in Star Tribune

October 6, 2019. The Star Tribune featured Soule & Stull today in the business profile of the Sunday paper. As Twin Cities law offices continue to merge with large, national firms, S&S continues to find success as a small firm serving the litigation needs of clients around the country. One of our clients said it best: “Small firm, big results.”

The full article is available here: http://www.startribune.com/minneapolis-law-partners-soule-amp-stull-find-small-firm-life-fits/562104612/?refresh=true.

George Soule speaks on Political Gerrymandering at Big New U.S. Supreme Court Decisions Seminar

August 22, 2019.  George Soule spoke on a panel today at a Minnesota CLE Seminar about the U.S. Supreme Court’s recent decision involving political gerrymandering.  George joined Minneapolis lawyers Kay Nord Hunt and Daniel Rogan in a lively discussion of Rucho v. Common Cause and efforts to restrict partisan redistricting.