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Thomas H. Boyd

I work with wonderful clients, and practice an honorable profession. I couldn't ask for more.

Contact: P /612.604.6505E /[email protected]

Education

University of Iowa College of Law, J.D., 1987

• Note and Comment Editor, Iowa Law Review

University of Iowa, M.A., Philosophy, 1987

University of Iowa, B.A., English & Philosophy, 1984

Bar Admissions

Minnesota, 1989

Iowa, 1987

Illinois, 1987

Missouri, 1988

Wisconsin, 1996

U.S. Supreme Court, 1991

U.S. Court of Appeals, 1^st Cir., 2003

U.S. Court of Appeals, 2^nd Cir., 2018

U.S. Court of Appeals, 3^rd Cir., 1995

U.S. Court of Appeals, 4^th Cir., 2000

U.S. Court of Appeals, 5^th Cir., 2014

U.S. Court of Appeals, 6^th Cir., 2000

U.S. Court of Appeals, 7^th Cir., 1998

U.S. Court of Appeals, 8^th Cir., 1989

U.S. Court of Appeals, 9^th Cir., 1990

U.S. Court of Appeals, 10^th Cir., 2018

U.S. Court of Appeals, 11^th Cir., 2004

U.S. Court of Appeals, D.C. Cir., 2005

U.S. Court of Appeals, Fed. Cir., 2004

U.S. District Court, D. Colo., 2019

U.S. District Court, N.D. Ill., 2004

U.S. District Court, N.D. Iowa, 2012

U.S. District Court, S.D. Iowa, 1987

U.S. District Court, D. Minn., 1990

U.S. District Court, W.D. Mo., 2024

U.S. District Court, D.N.D., 1997

U.S. District Court, E.D. Texas, 2017

U.S. District Court, E.D. Wis., 2020

U.S. District Court, W.D. Wis., 2008

My Approach

I represent clients in all types of commercial litigation, including complex commercial litigation, insurance coverage actions, business tort and breach of contract cases, trust litigation, and all types of civil appeals in federal and state courts. I work closely with clients to understand their objectives and to ensure they know what to expect in the litigation.

I am a fellow of the American Academy of Appellate Lawyers and an elected member of the American Law Institute, and I serve on the Minnesota Board of Law Examiners. I have taught courses at the University of Minnesota Law School and William Mitchell College of Law. I am also actively engaged providing pro bono legal services and serve as Co-Chair of Winthrop’s Pro Bono Committee.

Outside of work, I enjoy reading biographies and history, researching and writing on these subjects, and watching Big Ten football.

Practice Areas

Practicing Business & Commercial Litigation

My Experience

I practice primarily in commercial litigation and civil appeals, including contract disputes, business torts, trust and estate matters, insurance coverage disputes and claims, and land use matters.

Representative Matters

• UnitedHealth Group Incorporated v. Executive Risk Specialty Insurance Company, 870 F.3d 856 (8th Cir. 2017)
• 3M Co. v. National Union Fire Ins. Co. of Pa., 858 F.3d 561 (8th Cir. 2017)
• North Dakota v. Heydinger, 825 F.3d 912 (8^th 2016)
• Opportunity Finance, LLC v. Kelley, 874 N.W.2d 452 (Minn. 2016)
• Petty v. Marvin Lumber and Cedar Co., 644 Fed.Appx. 272, 2016 WL 1426355 (4^th 2016)
• Finn v. Alliance Bank, 860 N.W.2d 638 (Minn. 2015)
• Klein v. Marvin Lumber and Cedar Co., 575 Fed.Appx. 347, 2014 WL 3412979 (5^th 2014)
• Reuter v. Jax Ltd., Inc., 711 F.3d 918 (8th Cir. 2013)
• Monster Daddy, LLC v. Monster Cable Prods, Inc., 483 Fed.Appx. 831, 2012 WL 2311831 (4^th 2012)
• Marton v. Ater, 302 P.3d 1198 (Or. Ct. App. 2013)
• League of Women Voters Minnesota v. Ritchie, 819 N.W.2d 636 (Minn. 2012)
• Greer v. Professional Fiduciary, Inc., 792 N.W.2d 120 (Minn. Ct. App. 2011)
• Fidelity Holding Co. v. REZ, Inc., 2010 WL 2486274 (Minn. Ct. App. 2010)
• Kratzer v. Welsh Cos., 771 N.W.2d 14 (Minn. 2009)
• Ito v. Marvin Windows of New York, Inc., 865 N.Y.S.2d 119, 54 A.D.3d 1002, 2008 WL 4428025 (N.Y. App. Div. 2008), and 865 N.Y.S.2d 118, 54 A.D.3d 1001, 2008 WL 4428110 (N.Y. App. Div. 2008)
• Acceptance Ins. Co. v. Ross Contractors, Inc., 2008 WL 2796593 (Minn. Ct. App. 2008), and 2005 WL 1870688 (Minn. Ct. App. 2005)
• Bradley v. Manternach, 2007 WL 3376777 (Iowa Ct. App. 2007)
• Rottlund Co. v. Pinnacle Corp., 452 F.3d 726 (8th Cir. 2006)
• Saint Paul Area Chamber of Commerce v. Gaertner, 439 F.3d 481 (8th Cir. 2006)
• Lumbermen’s Mut. Cas. Co. v. Minnesota Special Comp. Fund, 2006 WL 1751734 (Minn. Ct. App. 2006)
• Marvin Lumber & Cedar Co. v. PPG Indus., Inc., 401 F.3d 901 (8th Cir. 2005)
• Williams v. Marvin Windows & Doors, 790 N.Y.S.2d 66 (N.Y. App. Div. 2005)
• Allied Ins. Co. v. Wilson, 384 F.3d 547 (8th Cir. 2004)
• Neuhoff v. Marvin Lumber & Cedar Co., 370 F.3d 197 (1st Cir. 2004)
• Winthrop Resources Corp. v. Eaton Hydraulics, Inc., 361 F.3d 465 (8th Cir. 2004)
• Reppert v. Marvin Lumber & Cedar Co., 359 F.3d 53 (1st Cir. 2004)
• National Crop. Ins. Servs., Inc. v. Federal Crop Ins. Corp., 351 F.3d 346 (8th Cir. 2003)
• Norwest Bank Minnesota, N.A. v. Beckler, 663 N.W.2d 571 (Minn. Ct. App. 2003)
• Booker v. Real Homes, Inc., 103 S.W.3d 487 (Tex. Ct. App.‑San Antonio 2003)
• Imperia v. Marvin Windows of New York, Inc., 297 A.D.2d 621, 747 N.Y.S.2d 35, 49 U.C.C. Rep. Serv.2d 185 (N.Y. App. Div. 2002)
• Selzer v. Brunsell Bros., Ltd., 257 Wis.2d 809, 652 N.W.2d 806, 48 U.C.C. Rep. Serv.2d 629, Prod. Liab. Rep. (CCH) ¶ 16,417 (Wis. Ct. App. 2002)
• Nerman v. Marvin Lumber & Cedar Co., 41 P.3d 302, 2002 WL 316894 (Kan. Ct. App. 2002)
• Minnesota Mining & Mfg. Co. v. Rauh Rubber, Inc., 130 F.3d 1305, 45 U.S.P.Q. 2d 1146 (8th Cir. 1997)
• In Matter of Willmus, 568 N.W.2d 722 (Minn. Ct. App. 1997) (amicus curiae)
• Potter v. Pohlad, 560 N.W.2d 389 (Minn. Ct. App. 1997)
• Wick Bldg. Sys., Inc. v. Employers Ins. of Wausau, 546 N.W.2d 306 (Minn. Ct. App. 1996)
• Modern Heating & Air Conditioning, Inc. v. Loop Belden Porter, 493 N.W.2d 296 (Minn. Ct. App. 1992)

Awards

Recommended in Litigation: Appellate

Chambers USA: America’s Leading Lawyers For Business, 2011-2023

Local Litigation Star

Benchmark Litigation, 2015-2024

Recommended in Litigation: General Commercial

Chambers USA: America’s Leading Lawyers For Business, 2011-2012

The Best Lawyers in America©

Minneapolis Lawyer of the Year: Bet-the-Company Litigation, 2023
Minneapolis Lawyer of the Year: Litigation - Insurance Practice, 2022, 2024
Minneapolis Lawyer of the Year: Appellate Practice, 2020
Appellate Practice, 2009-2025
Commercial Litigation, 2009-2025
Bet-the-Company Litigation, 2010-2025
Litigation - Trusts and Estates, 2016-2025
Litigation - Insurance, 2023-2025

Top 40 Business Litigation Attorneys

Minnesota Super Lawyers®, 2004, 2006-2009

Also experienced in

Appellate

Energy Litigation & Appeals

Coverage Litigation & Counseling

Trusts & Estates Litigation and Dispute Resolution

Professional Liability

Alternative Dispute Resolution

Unfair Competition

Honors & Awards

Minnesota Super Lawyers®

(formerly Minnesota Law & Politics)
2000-2024
Top 100, 2006, 2009-2024
Top 40 Business Litigation Attorneys, 2004, 2006-2009
Top Appellate Attorneys, 2000-2003

Local Litigation Star

Benchmark Litigation, 2015-2024

Top Lawyers in Minnesota

Minnesota Monthly, 2024

“Improving Access to Justice/Pro Bono Service” Excellence Award

Hennepin County Bar Association, 2024

Recommended in Litigation: General Commercial

Chambers USA: America’s Leading Lawyers For Business, 2011-2012

Recommended in Litigation: Appellate

Chambers USA: America’s Leading Lawyers For Business, 2011-2023

MSBA North Star Lawyer

Pro Bono Service, 2012-2023

Attorney of the Year

Minnesota Lawyer, 2006, 2013, 2018, 2020

Donald P. Lay Award of Special Merit

2008

The Best Lawyers in America©

Minneapolis Lawyer of the Year: Bet-the-Company Litigation, 2023
Minneapolis Lawyer of the Year: Litigation - Insurance Practice, 2022-2024
Minneapolis Lawyer of the Year: Appellate Practice, 2020
Appellate Practice, 2009-2025
Commercial Litigation, 2009-2025
Bet-the-Company Litigation, 2010-2025
Litigation - Trusts and Estates, 2016-2025
Litigation - Insurance, 2023-2025

Leaders in their Field

Chambers USA

AV Preeminent®

LexisNexis Martindale-Hubbell, Peer review ratings

Rising Stars

Minnesota Law & Politics, 1999

Power 30

Minnesota Lawyer, 2021

Associations & Memberships

Minnesota Board of Law Examiners

Board Member, 2017-present

American Academy of Appellate Lawyers

Member, 2016

American Law Institute

Elected, 2005

Minnesota Veterinary Medical Association

Honorary member

U.S. District Court for the District of Minnesota

Merit Section Panel for Appointment of U.S. Magistrate, Co-chair, 2015
Minnesota Women in the Law Exhibit, Planning Committee, 2014-2015
Merit Section Panel for Appointment of U.S. Magistrate, 2014
Dedication of Edward J. Devitt Courthouse Committee, 2014
Merit Selection Panel on the Reappointment of U.S. Magistrate, Chair, 2010

American Bar Association

Business Law Section
Legal Education Section
Litigation Section

Council of Appellate Lawyers, American Bar Association

Board of Directors, 2003-present
Chair of Pro Se-Pro Bono Committee

Federal Bar Association – Minnesota Chapter Pro Se Program, 2003-2005

Board of Directors, 1991-2005
Vice President - Membership, 2000-2001
Vice President - Planning, 1996-1997
Treasurer, 1997-2000

Eighth Circuit Bar Association

Board of Directors, 2004-2010
President, 2008

Illinois State Bar Association

Iowa State Bar Association

Appellate Practice Section

Minnesota State Bar Association

Civil Litigation Section
Probate and Trust Section

Minnesota State Bar Association, Appellate Practice Section

Chair, 2005-2006
Vice Chair, 2004-2005
Secretary/Treasurer, 2003-2004
Governing Council, 2000-2008
Chair of Pro Bono Subcommittee, 2002-present

Missouri Bar Association

Wisconsin Bar Association

Appellate Practice Section

Minnesota Trial Lawyers Association

Hennepin County Bar Association

Ramsey County Bar Association

Board of Directors, 2000-2004
Second District Ethics Committee, 1998-2004
Memorials Committee, 1996-present
Diversity Committee, 1996-present

Federal Advisory Committee for the Eighth Circuit

1999-2001

Defense Research Institute

Appellate Advocacy Committee
Insurance Law Committee

Historical Society of the United States Courts in the Eighth Circuit

President, 1999-2001
Board of Directors, 1990-present
President, Court of Appeals Branch, 1990-present
President, District of Minnesota Branch, 2001-present

Iowa Law School Foundation

Class Agent, 1987-1993

Minnesota Humanities Commission

Board of Directors, 1992-2000
Vice Chair, 1996-1997

Minnesota Landmarks

Board of Directors, 2000-present
Vice Chair, 2006-present
Chair, Space Planning Committee, 2003-present

Minnesota Supreme Court Historical Society

Board of Directors, 2008-present
Chair, 2009
Vice Chair, 2008

Minnesota Veterinary History Museum

Board of Directors, 1997-present

Ramsey County Historical Society

Board of Directors, 1991-1996, 2005-present
President, 2009-2010
First Vice President, 2007-2008
Editorial Board, 1990-present

Southern Minnesota Regional Legal Services

Campaign for Legal Aid, Urban Leadership Committee, 2000-present

William Mitchell College of Law

Law Center Steering Committee, 1998-2000