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Olivia M. Cooper

Every case has its nuances and challenges; each presents an opportunity to learn something new.

Contact: P /612.604.6578E /[email protected]

Education

University of Minnesota Law School, J.D., 2016

• Secretary, Litigation and Trial Advocacy Group
• Student Director, Maynard Pirsig Moot Court
• Student Director, Civil Practice Clinic
• Student Director, Family Law Clinic
• Certified Volunteer Mediator, Minnesota Conflict Resolution Center

St. Olaf College, B. A., American Studies, History, Religion, magna cum laude, 2013

• St. Olaf Grant for Academic Achievement
• President, Theta Alpha Kappa (Religion National Honor Society)
• President, Phi Alpha Theta (History National Honor Society)

Bar Admissions

Minnesota, 2016
U.S. District Court, D. Minn., 2016
U.S. District Court, D.N.D., 2019
U.S. Court of Appeals, 8th Cir., 2020

My Approach

I believe that if you take the time to listen and ask questions, there is something to learn from every person and every situation. That’s one of the reasons I love litigation – I approach each case as an opportunity to explore a new problem and to apply my analytical and critical thinking skills, as well as attention to detail,  to work closely with my clients to find a fresh solution. Relationships, both personal and professional, are very important to me, and I believe the best outcomes can be achieved when working together as a team.

I especially enjoy the nuances and complexities of insurance coverage work, and the unique relationship created between the insurer and the insured by the policy – I actually like reading them! As a former history major, it’s exciting to be able to pick apart a document, analyze it, interpret it with any corresponding law, and apply that interpretation to the facts of a case. I am also constantly struck by the care that insurers and adjusters have for their insureds, and the lengths to which they  go to preserve their insureds wellbeing.

Outside of work, you can often find me on the treadmill or in the pool; I grew up swimming competitively, and that joy of competition and pushing my personal limits will always be with me. I also enjoy teaching and mentoring law students and love that I get to do both as an Adjunct Professor in the Civil Rights and Civil Liberties Moot Court at the University of Minnesota Law School.

Practice Areas

Practicing Coverage Litigation & Counseling

My Experience

I represent clients in a variety of aspects of insurance coverage litigation under all major insurance lines. I have experience in a range of areas of litigation, including sexual harassment/sexual abuse litigation; lost policy identification; historical policy form changes and terms and conditions; primary/excess coverage and allocation issues; insurance fraud; insurance bad faith; and insurance jurisdiction.

Practicing Employment Litigation

My Experience

I represent clients in a range of employment litigation matters, including those involving claims of discrimination, harassment, non-compete agreements and breach of contract, and more. I also advise clients on workplace policies, procedures, hiring and firing decisions, and other questions to prevent them from turning into litigation down the road. I have experience working with companies of various sizes and in a range of industries, in both state and federal court.

Also experienced in

Business & Commercial Litigation

Honors & Awards

The Best Lawyers in America© Ones to Watch

Commercial Litigation, 2023-2024
Litigation - Labor and Employment, 2024

Rising Stars

Minnesota Super Lawyers®, 2022-2023

Associations & Memberships

American Bar Association

Minnesota State Bar Association

Hennepin County Bar Association

Minnesota Women Lawyers Association

Professional Liability Underwriting Society

University of Minnesota Law School

Adjunct Professor