News

August 26, 2020. Minnesota State Chancellor Devinder Malhotra announced the formation of a Taskforce on Law Enforcement Education Reform. The Chancellor appointed George Soule as Co-Convenor of the Taskforce. The Taskforce will lead a critical examination of law enforcement education programs at Minnesota State colleges and universities using an anti-racism and equity-focused lens. The Taskforce’s members represent a wide, diverse, and inclusive cross-section of external and internal key stakeholders. George has served on the Board of Trustees for Minnesota State Colleges and Universities since 2017.

July 28, 2020. Soule & Stull worked with LexisNexis on the newly published Minnesota Pretrial Civil Litigation, a LexisNexis Practice Guide. According to LexisNexis, the book is a “one-volume source providing pretrial guidance, forms and checklists by and for Minnesota state-court litigators.” George is listed as the Editor, but everyone pitched in to help prepare the book for publication. Meghan Feliciano reviewed every word and took the lead in making edits to the original draft. Anna Veit-Carter gathered and prepared the book’s forms. Melissa gave the text fresh eyes as it neared publication.

February 10, 2020. The 8th 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 8th 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 8th Circuit on behalf of Vermeer. You may read the 8th Circuit opinion here.

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

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.

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.

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).

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!  

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.

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/