Vildan Teske Presents at “Advising Your Military and Veteran Clients” Seminar

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On February 1, 2021, Teske Katz partner, Vildan Teske, spoke at a day-long seminar hosted by MinnCLE focusing on advising service member and veteran clients.  Vildan, in her presentation “The Who, What, and How of the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act – Litigation Involving Military Personnel,” discussed the protections the SCRA provides for our active-duty service members; who is covered under the Act; when protections begin and end; financial benefits, such as interest rate caps, protections against foreclosure or repossession; protections against default judgments; stay of legal proceedings; private causes of action for violations of the Act; and other remedies.

With over four decades of experience representing consumers, Vildan and her partner, Marisa Katz,​ are at the forefront of SCRA-based litigation on behalf of servicemembers victimized by unscrupulous business practices. If you are a servicemember and would like to discuss a potential violation of the SCRA, the attorneys at Teske Katz, PLLP are here to help. We advocate on behalf of consumers and servicemembers whose legal rights have been violated.

Vildan Teske and Marisa Katz Recognized by Super Lawyers; Vildan Teske Named Again to Top 100 Super Lawyer and Top 50 Women Super Lawyer Lists

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Super Lawyers released its 2020 list of Minnesota Super Lawyers and Rising Stars and we are excited to announce that, once again, each Teske Katz attorney has been named.  

Vildan Teske has again been named one of the Top 100 Lawyers and one of the Top 50 Women Lawyers in Minnesota. This is a high distinction reserved for the top attorneys under the Super Lawyers rating system–and is especially notable given that there are more than 25,000 attorneys in Minnesota.

 

Vildan Teske and Marisa Katz were named to the Super Lawyer list in the “Class Action/Mass Torts” category recognizing their work in this area.

Super Lawyer recognition is based on a multi-phased process and includes a combination of objective criteria, independent research, peer nominations, and a blue ribbon panel review by top attorneys in the community.  Only 5% of the attorneys in Minnesota are recognized as Super Lawyers.

Visit the Super Lawyers website for individual profiles and to see theTeske Katz firm profile. The full digital Super Lawyers magazine with the complete list, is here.

We are grateful to the legal community for this honor and recognition again this year.

All TKKR Lawyers Recognized by Super Lawyers; Vildan Teske a Top 100 Super Lawyer and Top 50 Women Super Lawyer, Marisa Katz a Super Lawyer and Phillip Kitzer and Brian Rochel Rising Stars

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Super Lawyers released its 2019 list of Minnesota Super Lawyers and Rising Stars and we are excited to announce that, once again, all Teske Katz Kitzer & Rochel lawyers have been named.  

Vildan Teske has again been named one of the Top 100 Lawyers and one of the Top 50 Women Lawyers in Minnesota. This is a high distinction reserved for the top attorneys under the Super Lawyers rating system–and is especially notable given that there are more than 25,000 attorneys in Minnesota. 

Vildan Teske and Marisa Katz were named to the Super Lawyers list and Phillip Kitzer and Brian Rochel were both again named to the list of Rising Stars honorees as well. 

Vildan Teske and Marisa Katz were named to the Super Lawyer list in the “Class Action/Mass Torts” category, while Phillip Kitzer and Brian Rochel were named Rising Stars honorees in the “Employment Litigation: Plaintiff” category.  

Super Lawyer recognition is based on a multi-phased process and includes a combination of objective criteria, independent research, peer nominations, and a blue ribbon panel review by top attorneys in the community.  Only 5% of the attorneys in Minnesota are recognized as Super Lawyers, and only 2.5% of attorneys are named as Rising Stars (for attorneys in their first 10 years of practice or under the age of 40).

Visit the Super Lawyers website for individual profiles and to see Teske Katz Kitzer & Rochel’s firm profile. The full digital Super Lawyers magazine with the complete list, is here.

We are proud of the accomplishments of all of our Teske, Katz, Kitzer & Rochel attorneys, and grateful to the legal community for this honor and recognition.

Super Lawyers Names Vildan Teske a Top 100 Lawyer and Top 50 Women Lawyer, and Phillip Kitzer and Brian Rochel Rising Stars

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We are excited to announce that, once again, Teske Katz Kitzer & Rochel partners have been named to the annual Super Lawyers and Rising Stars lists. Vildan Teske has been named one of the Top 100 Lawyers and one of the Top 50 Women Lawyers in Minnesota. This is a very high distinction reserved for the top attorneys under the Super Lawyers rating system–and is especially impressive given that there are more than 25,000 attorneys in Minnesota. 

Phillip Kitzer and Brian Rochel were both again named to the list of Rising Stars honorees as well. Vildan Teske was named a Super Lawyer in the “Class Action/Mass Torts” category, while Phillip Kitzer and Brian Rochel were named Rising Stars honorees in the “Employment Litigation: Plaintiff” category.  

Each year, only a select few attorneys are honored as Super Lawyers or Rising Stars. Only 5% of the attorneys in Minnesota are recognized as Super Lawyers, and only 2.5% of attorneys are named as Rising Stars (for attorneys in their first 10 years of practice or under the age of 40). The award is based on a combination of  objective criteria,  peer nominations, and a blue ribbon panel review. 

For individual profiles and to see Teske Katz Kitzer & Rochel’s firm profile, visit the Super Lawyers website. To view the full digital Super Lawyers magazine with the complete list, click here.

Teske Katz Kitzer & Rochel is proud of all of its attorneys, and grateful to the legal community for this recognition.

Vildan Teske Elected as Fellow of the American Bar Foundation

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Teske, Katz, Kitzer & Rochel, PLLP is excited to announce that Vildan Teske has been elected a Fellow of the American Bar Foundation (ABF).  This prestigious distinction is limited to only one percent of lawyers licensed to practice in each jurisdiction. Fellows are nominated by their peers and elected by the Board of the American Bar Foundation.

Established in 1955, the American Bar Foundation Fellows “is a global honorary society of attorneys, judges, law faculty, and legal scholars whose public and private careers have demonstrated outstanding dedication to the highest principles of the legal profession and to the welfare of their communities.” For more information about the ABF, click here. 

Doug Micko Presents on Updates to Whistleblower Law at Employment Law Institute

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On May 23, 2017, Teske Katz Kitzer & Rochel partner Doug Micko presented a continuing legal education seminar to his peers at the Upper Midwest Employment Law Institute. The Employment Law Institute, billed as “the Nation’s best employment law conference,” is a program that attracted approximately 1,400 lawyers and employment law professionals. Micko, together with his co-panelist Joe Schmitt, presented a session entitled “Blowing the Amended Whistle – Minnesota Whistleblower Litigation.” The discussion focused on Minnesota’s Whistleblower Act, some recent amendments to the Act, and how broad the Act protects employees from retaliation.

Teske Katz Kitzer & Rochel’s attorneys regularly practice whistleblower law. If you believe you have been the victim of retaliation for whistleblowing, contact us today.

Vildan Teske Named to Minnesota Federal Judicial Selection Committee

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Congratulations to Teske Katz Kitzer & Rochel partner, Vildan Teske, who was named by Senator Amy Klobuchar and Senator Al Franken to serve on their judicial selection committee. The Hon. Ann Montgomery and Hon. Donovan Frank, both judges on the United States District Court for the District of Minnesota, recently took senior status, leaving two vacancies that will need to be filled.

In announcing the committee, Senator Klobuchar said “[t]his group of distinguished Minnesota leaders will help us identify jurists who will continue Minnesota’s long tradition of federal judges with broad experience and an unwavering commitment to the fair and just application of the law.”

Senator Franken said “I’m looking forward to reviewing the Committee’s work and recommending nominees to the President who will serve the people of our state with honor and distinction.”

Teske remarked, “I’m honored to serve on this prestigious committee. My years advocating on behalf of consumers, working with the Federal Bar Association, and serving on the Board of the Infinity Project have confirmed how important it is to have a good and strong judiciary.”

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Vildan Teske Quoted in Star Tribune Article regarding Forced Arbitration

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On Sunday, the Minneapolis Star Tribune featured an article about the current state of forced arbitration of consumer disputes: “Debate over forced arbitration finds its second wind, with help from events like Wells Fargo scandal.” Teske Katz Kitzer & Rochel partner Vildan Teske is quoted in the article, noting that there have been recent developments in the fight against forced arbitration in consumer disputes, but that the latest changes only provide a “patchwork of protection.”

Teske has been a strong and vocal advocate for consumers, particularly in the fight to curtail forced arbitration and to reinforce consumers’ rights to use the judicial system when they have been harmed. Teske has presented on the issue many times, including along with U.S. Senator Al Franken and other notable consumer rights experts. Teske has also testified before the U.S. Senate Judiciary committee.

For more information on consumer financial issues, consumer class actions, or forced arbitration, contact our firm or Vildan Teske directly.

Vildan Teske Elected to FBA National Board of Directors

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Vildan Teske was elected to the Federal Bar Association’s (FBA) National Board of Directors. One of only four Directors nationally selected by voters this term, Vildan was recognized by her colleagues and peers to be a leader of one of the largest legal organizations in the United States. The FBA is an association of more than 18,000 lawyers, including over 1500 judges—and the leading organization for practitioners in US federal courts.

Being elected to the National Board of Directors is the culmination of more than two decades of service to the FBA by Vildan. She is a past Chair of the FBA Younger Lawyers’ Division (YLD) and the national recipient of the Federal Bar Association’s Robyn J. Spalter Outstanding Achievement Award. Vildan is a national leader among consumer and class action advocates, and recently has been at the forefront of the battle against forced arbitration in consumer and employment cases, including testifying before the U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee on access to justice in our court system, as well as recently speaking along with Senator Al Franken and others at an event hosted by the Center for American Progress. To learn more about Vildan’s practice click here.

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Vildan Teske Presents in Program with Senator Franken in Washington D.C. on the Problems of Forced Arbitration for Servicemembers, Employees, and Consumers

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On June 7, 2016, Vildan Teske presented on a panel discussing the growing and problematic use of forced arbitration clauses in consumer and employment agreements. The event, “Reforming the Ripoff Clause: Why Access to Justice Matters for Accountability and the Economy,” was hosted by the Center for American Progress (CAP). It included remarks by Senator Al Franken and Congressman Don Beyer on the issue of forced arbitration, followed by a panel discussion by a group of nationally-recognized consumer advocates.  The panel included Deepak Gupta of Gupta Wessler who argued on behalf of consumers before the U.S. Supreme Court in the landmark AT&T v. Concepcion case; Julie Murray, an attorney at Public Citizen; David Halperin, attorney and public policy advocate; and Vildan Teske. The event was streamed live and is available in its entirety here.

Over the past decade, and especially in recent years, the scope and impact of these consumer and worker “ripoff clauses” have grown immensely, undermining the private attorney general system that has long protected consumers and workers from poor-quality, fraudulent, or even dangerous products, services, and work conditions. Ms. Teske spoke on a variety of access to justice issues related to forced arbitration in consumer and employment agreements, including, in particular, debunking the myth that “opt out” clauses provide a legitimate opportunity for aggrieved consumers or workers to seek justice through the public court system.  

Ms. Teske is a nationally-recognized expert on the topic of forced arbitration, and testified before the U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee on the topic. If you have questions about forced arbitration or other clauses that take away consumer and employee access to the public court system, contact Teske Micko today.