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Teske Katz Kitzer & Rochel Open House

On August 5, 2015, the law firm of Teske, Micko, Katz, Kitzer & Rochel invited its colleagues, family, and friends to join them at an open house. “We’ve had some great changes in the last year—a new name, new partners, and new space—and we really wanted to celebrate these developments together with people we respect and admire,” said Vildan Teske.   

Partygoers enjoyed the great views, food, and company at the open house, pictures of which are available at Teske Katz Kitzer & Rochel’s Facebook page, found here

Teske Katz Kitzer & Rochel Attorneys All Named to 2015 Super Lawyers/Rising Stars Lists

Teske Katz Kitzer & Rochel is proud to announce that all of its attorneys have been named to the Super Lawyers and Rising Stars list. Vildan Teske and Doug Micko were named Super Lawyers honorees for 2015, while Marisa Katz, Phillip Kitzer and Brian Rochel were all named Rising Stars honorees.  

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. The award is based on a combination of peer nominations and objective criteria. 

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 Lawyers Attend MDL Panel in Minneapolis

Vildan Teske, Phillip Kitzer and Brian Rochel attended the Judicial Panel on Multi-district Litigation (“MDL”) held at the United States District Court for the District of Minnesota in Minneapolis on May 28, 2015.

Multi-district litigation (“MDL”) refers to a special federal legal procedure designed to speed the process of handling very complex civil cases. A portion of Teske Katz Kitzer & Rochel’s class action practice includes MDL. For instance, Teske Katz Kitzer & Rochel currently represents a client in In Re: Boston Scientific Corp. Pelvic Repair System Products Liability Litigation, MDL 2326, pending in the United States District Court for the Southern District of West Virginia. This case is one of several pelvic mesh lawsuits filed on behalf of women nationwide against manufacturers of transvaginal mesh (TVM) and sling devices. 

Vildan Teske Co-Moderates FBA Panel on Diversity in Legal Practice

Vildan Teske co-moderated a continuing legal education (CLE) seminar today sponsored by the Minnesota Chapter of the Federal Bar Association entitled “Cultivating a Diverse Pipeline of New Attorneys in Uncertain Legal Times.”  The seminar was followed by a reception at the Radisson Blu in downtown Minneapolis.  The CLE kicked off with remarks by U.S. Magistrate Judge Tony N. Leung. The panel of speakers included Valerie Jensen, Executive Director of Twin Cities Diversity in Practice; Anthony Winer, Professor of Law at William Mitchell College of Law; Tracy M. Smith, Deputy General Counsel for the University of Minnesota, and; Dr. Luiza Dreasher, Assistant Dean and Director of the Office of Multicultural and International Inclusion at the William Mitchell College of Law.  The seminar explored the challenges, obstacles, and the successes in achieving a diverse pipeline of attorneys in Minnesota, as well as the effect of recent U.S. Supreme Court opinions on admission decisions in higher education.

Click here for Minnesota Lawyer’s coverage of the event.

Vildan Teske Presents about SCRA Protections at CLE

Vildan Teske presented a webinar along with Major Lyndsey Olson, General Counsel for the Minnesota National Guard, for Minnesota CLE. The CLE presentation was part of the Creditor/Debtor CLE Series.  Vildan’s presentation focused on the consumer financial protections contained in the Servicemember Civil Relief Act (SCRA).

Announcing Teske, Katz, Kitzer & Rochel!

The last few months have brought exciting new changes to our firm.  First, we are pleased to announce the addition of two new partners, Brian T. Rochel and Phillip M. Kitzer.  We are also announcing the retirement of one of the firm’s founders, Bill Crowder. After 43 years of practicing law, Bill has decided to retire.  We will miss working with Bill and wish him well in retirement.

With these changes, our firm has changed its name!  Crowder Teske Katz and Micko is now Teske Katz Kitzer & Rochel.

We have also moved to a new suite on the 40th floor in the Campbell Mithun Tower to accommodate the additional attorneys and staff.  Our new office is located at 222 South 9th Street, Suite 1600, Minneapolis, MN 55402.  

Please visit us on our new website, www.teskekatz.com.  We look forward to connecting with you soon!

Vildan Teske Testifies at U.S. Senate Hearing on Consumer Rights & Arbitration

Vildan Teske testified in front of the United States Senate Judiciary Committee. The Senate hearing was entitled “The Federal Arbitration Act and Access to Justice: Will Recent Supreme Court Decisions Undermine the Rights of Consumers, Workers and Small Businesses?”

The hearing was chaired by Senator Al Franken, D-MN, who introduced the Arbitration Fairness Act into the Senate. Vildan testified about the impact of forced arbitration clauses and class action bans in consumer and employment contracts on the ability of consumers, servicemembers, and employees to hold wrongdoers accountable.

Vildan Teske Asked to Testify at U.S. Senate Hearing on Forced Arbitration

Vildan Teske has been asked to testify before the U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee at a hearing that will explore the impact of recent U.S. Supreme Court decisions on the ability of consumers, servicemembers, and employees to access justice through our civil court system. Vildan is a nationally-recognized expert in representing consumers and in class actions and will bring that expertise before the U.S. Senate in an attempt to further the rights of individuals against large corporations that are trying to keep legitimate claims from being filed in the civil court system.

Vildan Teske Receives FBA Outstanding Achievement Award

Vildan Teske was selected as the inaugural recipient of the Federal Bar Association Robyn Spalter Outstanding Achievement Award.  The award is given to only one attorney in the nation and is named after past FBA president, Robyn Spalter. It recognizes one lawyer each year who has demonstrated outstanding leadership and professional achievement. The Robyn Spalter Outstanding Achievement Award was presented to Vildan at the FBA’s national convention in San Juan, Puerto Rico on September 26, 2013.

Click here for an FBA article discussing Vildan’s receiving the award.

Vildan Teske Authors National Consumer Law Center’s Consumer Class Actions Manual

Vildan Teske is a contributing author of the National Consumer Law Center’s (NCLC) Consumer Class Actions (8th Ed.) 

The eighth edition of Consumer Class Actions published by the National Consumer Law Center is now in publication.  Vildan Teske is one of the national class action lawyers who served as a contributing author for this book. Herb Newberg, author of Newberg on Class Actions has praised Consumer Class Actions stating it “[c]omprehensively guides lawyers through the entire spectrum of class action litigation. … Invaluable, succinct resource for new and experienced class action practitioners.”