Ben Lavoie - Minneapolis, MN

Overview

Ben has been an associate with Lindell & Lavoie, LLP, since 2004, and he law clerked at the office in the two summers prior to that. Since that time, he has become an integral piece in the firm's ongoing success. He has a varied practice, primarily focusing on personal injury and workers' compensation cases, but he loves appellant work and has a special interest in Section 1983 Civil Rights cases.

He has recovered millions of dollars for his clients over that period and has been significantly involved in notable and important cases. In 2012, Ben partnered with his friend and colleague, Grim Howland, to successful resolve a $4 million dollar medical malpractice claim on behalf of his disabled client. That same year, he partnered on a ground breaking workers' compensation civil penalties case with Jim Lindell, successfully arguing at the United States Court of Appeals for the 8th Circuit that the district court erred in granting summary judgment to the defendants and that Plaintiff could prove that the defendants intentionally obstructed her workers' compensation benefits in violation of Minnesota law. See Nunn v. Noodles & Company, and Zurich American Ins. Co., 674 F.3d 910 (8th Cir. 2012). Soon after that decision, Ben and Jim were able to resolve that case for their client, earning her an extraordinary but confidential settlement.

Ben believes that many of the skills he acquired during his years of bartending and teaching English abroad prior to law school have helped immensely in his law practice. He prides himself on making people feel comfortable when explaining to him their problems and concerns, just like he did from behind the bar. Ben is also excellent at distilling complicated legal issues into language and examples that permit his clients to fully understand the strengths and weaknesses of their cases. Ben's clients feel comfortable knowing they have the information they need to make the best decisions for themselves and they have a friend and fine attorney on their side until the end.

Ben has been consistently recognized by his colleagues for his work, successes and devotion to his clients, earning the distinction as one of Minnesota's Rising Stars, by Minnesota Law & Politics magazine 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010 and 2011. This accolade is awarded to just 2.5 percent of attorneys under the age of 40 or who have been practicing less than 10 years. The selection process is peer nominated and reviewed.

Cases:

• Motor Scooter Crash - Vespa rider who was knocked off scooter by van while changing lanes proves she suffered a brain injury that changed her life. Result - $1,350,000
• Medical Malpractice - Doctor's negligent administration of a routine procedure results in catastrophic injury to a 49 year old woman. Result - $4,000,000 settlement.
• Personal Injury - Bicyclist hit by car, sent to collections for car damage, gets the final say on fault. Result - $100,000 settlement.
• Slip and Fall - Strip mall's icy sidewalk causes bad fall. Result - $105,000 after Mediation.
• Workers' Compensation - Worker's lung condition linked to auto body job. Result: $175,000 plus Medical Benefits left open.