MEAGHER + GEER - Key Persons
Zander is an associate in our Insurance and Professional Liability practice groups, where his practice focuses on helping clients navigate large loss claims under liability and property insurance programs. His experience includes evaluating insurance coverage claims and risk-transfer opportunities for primary and excess insurers and reinsurers; litigating declaratory judgment, breach of contract, and bad-faith claims in trial and appellate courts; and monitoring complex personal injury, commercial, and products liability litigation against policyholders. Zander has assisted clients in coverage matters such as the 3M Combat Arms Multi-District Litigation (involving over 280,000 lawsuits and a $6.01 billion mass tort settlement); the 2014 Home Depot data breach; and litigation concerning eight to ten-figure personal injury, property damage, and business interruption claims related to industrial accidents, sex abuse, COVID-19, and complex insurance arrangements including risk-purchasing groups, Owner-Controlled Insurance Programs, and excess insurance and Bermuda reinsurance.
Job Titles:
- Associate
- Attorney
- Associate MN
Besse McDonald is an attorney in our professional liability - health care practice group. Besse's experience includes defending medical professional clients in all phases of litigation, through trial, in both state and federal court. In addition to litigation defense, Besse provides legal representation to healthcare providers before their respective licensing boards. Before joining the firm, Besse was an associate at Holland & Hart LLP in Denver.
She is a 2015 graduate of the University of Denver Sturm College of Law, where she was the Senior Articles Editor for the Denver University Law Review. She also completed a year-long clinic representing clients seeking civil protection orders and eviction proceedings. As part of this clinic, Besse received the Outstanding Student Lawyer Award for the Civil Litigation Clinic. Prior to going to law school, Besse worked in advertising for six years.
Outside of the office, Besse enjoys running, reading, and spending time with her family.
Education
University of Denver Sturm College of Law, J.D., 2015
University of Colorado School of Journalism and Mass Communication, B.S., 2006
Professional Affiliations
Minnesota Supreme Court Historical Society, Board of Directors, Vice-Chair
Warren E. Burger Inn of Court member
Minnesota Women Lawyers
Minnesota State Bar Association
Hennepin County Bar Association
Job Titles:
- Chairman
- Partner
- Minnesota Counsel
- Partner MN
Brad is Chair of the firm's Employment Practice and Corporate/Business Services practice groups. His practice focuses on defending commercial litigation claims, including employment discrimination claims, contractual disputes, and product liability claims. His work includes the defense of single plaintiff claims, complex multi-plaintiff claims, and class-based allegations. Brad is also one of the firm's leaders, serving as a member of its Management Committee. He has been recognized in the list of Minnesota Rising Stars or Super Lawyers® each year since 2001 and he has been Selected for inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America® in the area of Litigation - Labor and Employment.
Brad has served as Minnesota counsel for several national and international companies, including entities in the medical, pharmaceutical, telecommunications, and software development industries. In addition, Brad has been admitted as counsel pro hac vice in numerous states throughout the country.
Caroline is an associate in the firm's Family Law practice group. Prior to joining Meagher + Geer, Caroline served as a judicial law clerk for the Honorable Christy Snow-Kaster of the Fourth Judicial District Court of Minnesota, and practiced family law at a prominent family law firm in Chicago.
Job Titles:
- Chairman
- Instructor
- Partner
- Adjunct Instructor at the ATF 's National Center for Explosives Training
- Adjunct Instructor at the National Fire Academy
- General Counsel for the International Association of Arson Investigators
- Partner MN
Chad Stepan serves as Chair of the firm's Catastrophic Loss Practice Group. Chad focuses his practice on complex civil litigation, including fires, explosions, structural failures, mechanical failures, product failures and other catastrophic losses and construction-related incidents across the United States. He has handled numerous multi-million dollar claims, including major industrial explosions and fires, and construction and design matters. Chad investigates these incidents and provides defense and recovery representation. This work includes providing professional liability defense for architects, engineers, and other design professionals, as well as defense for contractors, subcontractors, product manufacturers, owners and operators.
Chad is also an instructor and speaker on topics that concern his practice. Chad is an Adjunct Instructor at the ATF's National Center for Explosives Training and Research and the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center where he presents courses on evidence issues (spoliation), convergence of science and law (process engineering), courtroom testimony and techniques, depositions, and regulatory matters (OSHA and Chemical Safety Board). The courses also involve instruction of moot court trials.
In addition, Chad serves as an Adjunct Instructor at the National Fire Academy in Emmitsburg, Maryland where he presents a course on spoliation and changes to NFPA 921, and a course on origin and cause investigation and courtroom testimony and techniques. The courtroom techniques course involves instruction of moot court trials with a focus on expert witnesses and trial examination.
Chad is General Counsel for the International Association of Arson Investigators (IAAI). He is also a guest lecturer for state chapters of the IAAI and at the IAAI International Training Conference.
Chad has also made a number of presentations to design professionals and others in the construction industry.
Outside the office, Chad enjoys spending time with his family, traveling, and keeping a close eye on Minnesota sports teams.
Education
University of Minnesota Law School, J.D., 1997
University of Minnesota, B.A., summa cum laude, 1994
Chris Luehr is a husband, father, and estate planning attorney. Born in Cloquet, Minnesota, his first job after college landed him in northeastern China, one of the few places in the world with more snow than Minnesota. (See the Harbin Ice Festival for proof!) After a few years of teaching, Chris continued his education with a Master's in Literature from Columbia University and a law degree from the University of Minnesota. Throughout his career, Chris has enjoyed engaging with people, learning their stories, and working on their next chapter.
As an estate planning attorney, Chris helps clients navigate difficult times and plan their futures with peace of mind. When not working diligently for his clients, Chris advocates for racial justice and community equity. Proudly serving on Meagher + Geer's DEI Committee and other groups in the Twin Cities, Chris strives to teach himself and others to seek justice, love mercy, and walk humbly toward a better future.
Chris spends his free time making music, biking with his family, and exploring new adventures. His wife, Avivah, and their three children-Lilly, Luthan, and Maverick-serve as the cornerstone of a life built on family, fun, and faith.
Education
University of Minnesota Law School, J.D., cum laude, 2011
Columbia University, M.A., cum laude, 2005
Macalester College, B.A., cum laude, 2001
Job Titles:
- Associate
- Associate AZ CA
Ethan is an associate in the firm's Mass Tort/Toxic Tort and Products Liability practice groups. Prior to joining Meagher + Geer, he served as a law clerk to the Honorable Lucinda E. Jesson at the Minnesota Court of Appeals.
Job Titles:
- Associate
- Attorney
- Associate MN
Faline is an associate attorney in the firm's Mass Tort/Toxic Tort and Products Liability practice groups.
Job Titles:
- Special Counsel
- Special Counsel MN
Judy Geier, individually and on behalf of the Estate of Douglas Geier v. A.H. Bennet Company, et al., 09-2014-CV-01765, October 4, 2016 - North Dakota
Linda Wolff, individually and as personal representative of the estate of Julian Wolff v. Armstrong International, Inc., et al., 08-1861, 2010 - South Dakota
Job Titles:
- Fire and Explosion Investigator ( CFEI )
Job Titles:
- Flight Officer Trainee - Unites States Navy
- Reserve Officer, Lieutenant JG - United States Navy
W.D. Flaskamp joins the firm, quickly gaining recognition as Minnesota's foremost defense attorney engaged in civil practice