Mark P. Hodkinson

Mark P. Hodkinson
Attorney at Law
Email: [email protected]
Telephone: 952.841.0001
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Biography

Mark is a trial lawyer with over 35 years of experience successfully trying and resolving many types of disputes. His practice involves defending municipalities and school districts, law enforcement agencies, products liability, construction, professional liability, liquor liability and general liability lawsuits, as well as representing parties in business and commercial disputes and people injured in accidents.

In recent years, he has begun to regularly serve as a mediator and arbitrator in all types of disputes and litigation, and joined Heley, Duncan & Melander, in part, to expand that practice.

Mark was with his prior firm for over 30 years following three years of experience working as a law clerk for a state district court judge while in law school and a one year clerkship with a federal magistrate judge. He is a frequent speaker on ethics, professionalism, and conflicts issues.

Client Services

Alternative Dispute Resolution
Commercial Litigation
Construction Litigation
General Liability Litigation
Liquor Liability
Municipal/Governmental Litigation
Personal Injury Litigation
Premises Liability Litigation
Product Liability Litigation
Professional Liability Litigation

Admitted to Practice

State of Minnesota
U.S. District Court, District of Minnesota
U.S. Court of Appeals, Eighth Circuit

Professional Activities

Ramsey County Bar Association
Hennepin County Bar Association
Defense Research Institute
Minnesota Defense Lawyers Association

Representative Cases

Kampschroer v. Anoka County, 935 F. 3d 645 (8th Cir. 2019) (Municipal Liability)
Mitchell v. Aitkin County, U.S. Dist. 2018 WL 333823 (D. Minn. 2018) (Municipal Liability)
Sivak v. Cody Rides, LLC, U.S. Dist. 2018 WL 1542329 (D. Minn. 2018) (Personal Injury)
Gottwalt v. Oxton, 2017 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 46908 (D. Minn 2017). (Municipal Liability)
Tichich v. City of Bloomington, 835 F.3d 856 (8th Cir. 2016). (Municipal Liability)
Meldahl v. City of Brooklyn Center, 2015 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 134180 (D. Minn. 2015). (Municipal Liability)
Karasov v. Caplan Law Firm, P.A., 84 F. Supp. 3d 886 (D. Minn. 2015). (Municipal Liability)
McDonough v. Anoka County, 799 F.3d 931 (8th Cir. 2015). (Municipal Liability)
Reisdorf v. i3, LLC, 129 F. Supp. 3d 751 (D. Minn. 2015). (Employment Discrimination)
Kolls v. City of Edina, 2014 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 157940 (D. Minn. 2014). (Municipal Liability)
Krekelberg v. Anoka County, 2014 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 157985 (D. Minn 2014). (Municipal Liability)
Meehan v. Thompson, 763 F.3d 936 (8th Cir. 2014). (Municipal Liability)
Mitchell v. Aitkin County, 2014, U.S. Dist. LEXIS 27089 (D. Minn. 2014). (Municipal Liability)
Village Bank v. Sienna Corporation, 2009 WL 2226460 (Minn. App. July 28, 2009). (Commercial Litigation)
3M Innovative Props. Co. v. Ill. Tool Works, Inc., 2007 U.S. Dist LEXIS 78695 (D. Minn. 2007) (Patent Litigation)
Housley v. City of Edina, 2007 WL 42990 (8th Cir. Jan. 5, 2007). (Municipal Liability)
Richter v. ITW Ransburg Electrostatic Sys. Group, No. 05-2832, 2006 WL 1130897 (8th Cir. Apr. 28, 2006). (Product Liability)
Hannon v. Sanner, 441 F.3d 635 (8th Cir. 2006). (Municipal Liability)
Camacho v. Todd and Lieser Homes, 706 N.W.2d 49 (Minn. 2005). (Construction)
Askari v. Kemp, No. C1-03-88, 2003 WL 21791607 (Minn. App. Aug. 5, 2003). (Municipal Liability)
Yeazizw v. City of Edina, No. 02-524, 2003 WL 1966285 (D. Minn. Apr. 28, 2003). (Municipal Liability)
Schendel v. Hennepin County Medical Center, 484 N.W.2d 803 (Minn. App. 1992). (Medical Malpractice)
Whitney v. Buttrick, No. C6-89-1505, 1990 WL 44 (Minn. App. Jan. 2, 1990). (Legal Malpractice)
High Country Fashions, Inc. v. Travelers Ins. Co., No. C8-89-629, 1989 WL 113016 (Minn. App. Oct. 3, 1989). (Insurance Coverage)
Padco, Inc. v. Kinney & Lange, 444 N.W.2d 889 (Minn. App. 1989). (Legal Malpractice)
Senger v. Minn. Lawyers Mut. Ins. Co., 415 N.W.2d 364 (Minn. App. 1987). (Legal Malpractice)
Kissner v. Norton, 412 N.W.2d 354 (Minn. App. 1987). (Auto Liability)
Carstedt v. Grindeland, 406 N.W.2d 39 (Minn. App. 1987). (Commercial Litigation)
Ayers v. Rudolph’s, Inc., 392 N.W.2d 647 (Minn. App. 1986). (Product Liability)
Fed. Deposit Ins. Corp. v. Shinnick, 635 F. Supp. 983 (D. Minn. 1986). (Commercial Litigation)

Representative Clients:

Cemstone Products Company
City of Edina
Dakota Aggregates
Knutson Construction Company
Members of the League of Minnesota Cities Insurance Trust
Michels Corporation
Insureds of Travelers Insurance Companies

Awards and Recognition

Selected to the Minnesota Super Lawyers list, Super Lawyers Magazine, (only five percent of lawyers in the state are selected), 2002 – 2006 and 2014 – Present
Mark D. Wisser Award for Alumni Collegiality, William Mitchell College of Law, 2015
Top Lawyer, MPLS.ST.PAUL Magazine, 2002 – 2006 and 2014 – Present

Education

Undergraduate:

University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan B.A. (1978)
- Major: Anthropology

Law School:

William Mitchell College of Law, St. Paul, Minnesota J.D. (1984)
- Honors: Magna Cum Laude

Classes/Seminars Taught

Understanding the Contracts That You’re Signing, North Risk Partners – Apollo Division, April 6, 2016
Risk Management, Cemstone Products Company, July, 2012, and January, 2013.
Risk Management for Peace Officers, City of Edina, November, 2012.
Litigation Ethics, Minnesota Defense Lawyers Association Mid-Winter Conference, February 11, 2012
Overview of Minnesota’s New False Claims Act – Minn. Stat. § 15C.01, MATIT Summer Attorney Seminar, Minnesota Association of Townships Insurance Trust, Berkley Risk Administrators Co., August 20, 2010
An Update on Litigation Ethics, Minnesota Defense Lawyers Association 32nd Annual Trial Techniques Seminar, August 18, 2007
Litigation Ethics, Minnesota State Bar Association Board Certified Trial Specialists Seminar, June 12, 2007
Overview of Construction Contracts and Other Legal Issues, Apollo Insurance Agency, February 2007
Insurance Agent Liability: Minnesota Law Update, North Risk Partners – Apollo Division, 2006
Liability of Governmental Entities, CPCU Society Symposium, 2006 Risk Management, City of Edina Fire Department, 2005
An Update on Conflicts and Ethical Issues, Minnesota Defense Lawyers Association, 2002
An Update on Conflicts and Ethical Issues, Minnesota Defense Lawyers Association, 1999
An Update on Conflicts and Ethical Issues, Minnesota Defense Lawyers Association, 1998
Investigation of Products Liability Claims, Twin Cities Claims Association, 1998
An Update on Conflicts of Interest Issues, Minnesota Defense Lawyers Association, 1997
Posturing The Medical Malpractice Case For Directed Verdict, MTLA/MDLA Education Alliance, 1995
Legal Issues Facing Care Providers/Educators of Young Children, Minnesota Association for the Education of Young Children, 1995
Investigation of Products Liability Claims, St. Paul Fire and Marine Insurance Company, 1995
The Medical Privilege in Minnesota, Minnesota Institute of Legal Education, 1993
Attorney Sanctions Under Rule 11 and Minn. State Sec. 549.21 — Staying Out of Trouble, Minnesota Lawyers Mutual Insurance Company, 1992
Liability Insurance Contracts — An Overview of Commercial General Liability Policies, Minnesota Institute of Legal Education, 1989
Publisher’s Liability for Advertising, Second Annual West Publishing Company Editor Exchange, 1989
Legal Aspects of Sleep Apnea, Methodist Hospital Sleep Disorders Center, 1989
No Fault Updates, Third Annual Update (1988) and Fourth Annual Update (1989), Bassford, Heckt, Lockhart, Truesdell & Briggs, P.A.

Community Involvement

Former Member, City of Shoreview, Human Rights Commission
Volunteer, Cornerstone (Domestic Abuse Agency in Bloomington, Minnesota)
Former United Way Firm Liaison
Volunteer, Hennepin County Conciliation Court Pro Bono Project
Past Board of Directors, Community Shares of Minnesota
Member, Incarnation Lutheran Church