James J. Bertrand

William Michael, Jr. (“Bill”), Co-Chair of Greenberg Traurig’s Trial Practice Group, is a former federal prosecutor and experienced trial lawyer, having served as lead counsel in more than 100 jury trials in federal and state courts across the country. In recognition of his national trial reputation, Bill has been inducted as a fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers, an invitation-only organization that represents the top 1% of trial lawyers in the United States. Th...

Nathan M. Brandenburg is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Real Estate Law. Nathan M., who practices law in Minneapolis, Minnesota, has been recognized since 2025. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Nathan M. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Dean B. Thomson is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Construction Law, Litigation - Construction and Litigation - Real Estate. Dean B., who practices law in Minneapolis, Minnesota, has been recognized since 2011. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Dean B. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Chad Stepan serves as Chair of the firm’s Catastrophic Loss Practice Group. He focuses his practice on complex civil litigation, including fires, explosions, structural failures, mechanical failures, product failures and other catastrophic losses and construction-related incidents across the United States. He has handled numerous multi-million dollar claims, including major industrial explosions and fires, and construction and design matters. Chad investigates these incidents and provid...

Joni champions the rights of employees in cases involving wrongful termination, discrimination , harassment, retaliation, and whistleblower issues , fueled by a passion for giving a voice to the oppressed within the workplace. As an exceptional advocate for her clients is Joni consistently demonstrates her ability to truly understand her clients unique situations through authentic listening. Joni takes the time to truly understand each client’s unique situation and objectives, crafting ...

Karl focuses his practice on advising small to medium-sized businesses on a variety of contract matters and commercial disputes. His background in construction makes him particularly well suited for real estate transactions and commercial litigation for clients in the real estate, construction and banking industries. Karl’s perspective on client relations: I feel a real rapport with those in construction and real estate businesses. My family owned and operated a small construction compa...

Heather is a dynamic leader and seasoned litigator at Meagher + Geer, where she chairs the Products Liability, Mass Tort/Toxic Tort, Asbestos/Talc, and Safety and Environmental practice groups. As a member of the firm’s Management Committee, Heather brings strategic vision and a wealth of experience to her role. Heather focuses her trials and litigation practice on the following types of matters: products liability, mass toxic torts, personal injury, PFAS, asbestos, talc, general liabil...

Victoria J. Brenner is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Family Law. Victoria J., who practices law in Minneapolis, Minnesota, has been recognized since 2018. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Victoria J. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

For the last 20 years, Kristine M. Spiegelberg Nelson has focused her practice on creditors’ remedies and consumer debt related civil litigation. She led her clients in navigating foreclosure, bankruptcy, complex quiet title and possession issues. Kristine represented national banks in the recovery of real property during the 2008 global recession and advocated for consumer creditor recovery during the 2021 global pandemic. She specializes in foreclosure by action, resolving outstanding...

Nick wins cases for clients and helps them favorably resolve disputes, including complex partnership, corporate governance, finance, and deal disputes. As a first-chair trial lawyer who has tried more than 30 jury trials, bench trials, and arbitrations, when a rare business case goes to trial, other law firms and clients ask him to join or lead the trial team. Nick splits his time between Barack Ferrazzano’s Minneapolis and Chicago offices, although he regularly appears in courts across...