Michael A. Sacchet

In re 3M Combat Arms Earplug Prods. Liab. Litig., MDL 2885: Appointed to Plaintiffs’ Steering Committee and named Chair of the Law & Briefing Committee. Briefed, argued, and defeated 3M’s global preemption defense (government contractor) on summary judgment, allowing more than 200,000 cases to proceed to trial. Briefed and argued all other MDL matters, including choice-of-law and Daubert motions, resulting in the exclusion of 3M’s general experts. Co-tried five bellwether cases in the MDL, obtaining over $200 million in verdicts, including the largest multi-plaintiff verdict ($110 million) and the largest single-plaintiff verdict ($77.5 million). Defended bellwether verdicts on appeal as lead counsel. The MDL recently settled for over $6 billion.

• Estes, Hacker, and Keefer v. 3M Co.: Assisted in summary-judgment, pre-trial, and post-trial briefing. Handled all argument at trial, including directed verdict and charge conference, resulting in multi-million-dollar verdicts ($2.45 million, $2.26 million, and $2.42 million). Represented Plaintiffs on appeal.
• Baker v. 3M Co.: Assisted in summary-judgment, pre-trial, and post-trial briefing. Conducted direct examination of key witness and handled all argument at trial, including directed verdict and charge conference, resulting in $1.054 million verdict. Represented Plaintiff on appeal.
• Adkins v. 3M Co.: Assisted in summary-judgment, pre-trial, and post-trial briefing. Served as co-lead trial counsel, conducting direct and cross examinations of key witnesses. Defended $8.2 million verdict as lead counsel on appeal.
• Sloan and Wayman v. 3M Co.: Assisted in summary-judgment, pre-trial, and post-trial briefing. Served as co-lead trial counsel, conducting direct and cross-examinations of key witnesses, resulting in combined $110 million verdict.
• Beal v. 3M Co.: Assisted in summary-judgment, pre-trial, and post-trial briefing. Served as co-lead trial counsel, handling direct and cross-examinations of key witnesses, resulting in $77.5 million verdict.
• Aaby et al. v. 3M Co.: Represented MDL Plaintiffs as lead counsel in global interlocutory appeal regarding successor liability.
• Wilkerson v. 3M Co.: Defended $8 million verdict on appeal as lead appellate counsel.
• Vilsmeyer v. 3M Co.: Defended $50 million verdict on appeal as appellate counsel.

In re Bair Hugger Forced Air Warming Devices Prods. Liab. Litig., MDL 2666: Appointed to Plaintiffs’ Law & Briefing, Science, and Expert Committees. Briefed, argued, and defeated 3M’s Daubert, dispositive, and pre-trial motions. Briefed, argued, and reversed the district court’s dismissal of the entire MDL on appeal, reinstating nearly 6,000 cases. Deposed key general-causation witnesses and represented plaintiffs at trials. The MDL is ongoing.

Carver v. The Bank of New York Mellon: Co-lead class counsel representing ERISA participants, beneficiaries, and trustees that held American Depository Receipts (“ADRs”) for which the Bank of New York Mellon acted as a depository bank. Obtained settlement on behalf of class for $12.5 million, which the Court approved in May 2019.

Gill v. Gill: Counsel for petitioner in complex marital dissolution action. Obtained multi-million award following appeal in the Minnesota Supreme Court.

In re Foreign Exchange Benchmark Rates Antitrust Litigation: Counsel for plaintiffs in consolidated ERISA action against ten of the world’s largest banks.

Marital Dissolution Action: Counsel for respondent in complex marital dissolution proceeding. Obtained multi-million settlement following trial.

Contract Action: Obtained favorable settlement for business owner in breach of contract action.

Consumer Protection Action: Obtained favorable settlement for plaintiff in consumer protection action.

ADA Action: Obtained favorable settlement for client in ADA and MHRA action.

Noncompete Action: Represented defendant in appeal involving forfeiture of retirement benefits.

Consumer Protection Action: Lead counsel for plaintiff in all phases of litigation and at trial in consumer protection action.

Ciresi Conlin is a Minnesota law firm with a world-class reputation. The firm represents clients from all dimensions of society and from around the world. It takes on trial and appellate representation of all shapes and sizes, using small, agile teams comprised of some of the world’s most talented and creative lawyers. In addition to its own cases, Ciresi Conlin successfully partners with other firms as lead trial counsel in new or existing litigation or in consulting on litigation strategy.

The firm’s medical malpractice lawyers, along with its personal injury, mass tort, and product liability teams, advocate for people dealing with pain, suffering, and loss, and have amassed an enviable record of verdicts and settlements. Their success comes through conducting deep investigation into complex situations and helping their clients put a difficult, frightening, and painful time behind them, and move forward with the healing process.

Ciresi Conlin also specializes in high-profile, bet-the-company, and procedurally difficult cases that affect business success and vitality of both international corporations and small businesses. In addition to its national and international practice, Ciresi Conlin also has deep local roots, representing a variety of Minnesota businesses. The firm’s efforts to protect the future also extend to trusts & estates litigation, appellate work, and environmental litigation ensuring responsible protection of our natural resources for generations to come.