Duluth, MN

Richard J. Schroeder

Rick graduated cum laude from Hamline University School of Law and has been practicing law for over 29 years. He’s licensed in all District, Circuit and Federal courts in Minnesota, Wisconsin and Georgia. His passion for litigation focuses on personal injury, workers’ compensation and insurance disputes. Most notably, he’s argued cases with some of the best trial lawyers in the country and has represented clients throughout the United States. He’s handled cases in sixteen different states, including Wisconsin, Illinois, Iowa, North and South Dakota and more. Also a former insurance claims adjuster, Rick knows the nuances and inner workings of the insurance industry. He’s been on the other side. He knows what he’s up against and he knows how to beat them.

Matthew R. Thibodeau

Matthew R. Thibodeau is a partner at Trial Group North, specializing in Asbestos Defense, Contracts, Employment Law, Personal Injury, Product Liability, Silica and Catalyst Defense, Trucking and Motor Vehicle Accidents, Construction, and Workers' Compensation. He is licensed in Minnesota since 1997, North Dakota, Wisconsin, Pennsylvania, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. He holds a J.D. from the University of Minnesota Law School and a B.A. from the University of St. Thomas. Matthew has received numerous honors and awards, including Minnesota Lawyer Attorneys of the Year, Minnesota Super Lawyer Rising Star multiple times, Top Ten Outstanding Young Minnesotans, Paul Harris Fellow, B. Warren Hart Distinguished Service Award, Founders Day Award, and the DRI SLDO Diversity Award. He is actively involved in various professional associations and community service initiatives, and is fluent in Spanish, Chinese, Aymara, and Quechua.

Thomas R. Thibodeau

Thomas R. Thibodeau is a retired attorney with extensive experience in various areas of trial practice including Products Liability, Construction, Libel and Slander, Personal Injury, Business & Commercial Disputes, Environmental, Admiralty, Mediation and Arbitration, Toxic Torts, and Wrongful Death. He is a certified Mediator and Arbitrator in Minnesota, a Civil Trial Advocate by the National Board of Trial Advocacy since 1987, and a Civil Trial Specialist by the Minnesota State Bar Association since 1991. He has published works on product liability and trial tactics, and frequently lectures on these topics. He is a Fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers and the International Society of Barristers, and has been recognized as a Super Lawyer and listed in The Best Lawyers in America for personal injury cases.

Francis E. Stephens

Francis E. Stephens has been practicing law for over 25 years exclusively in personal injury litigation. He has successfully represented hundreds of personal injury clients in a wide variety of personal injury claims, including serious motor vehicle accidents, wrongful death, brain injury, spinal injuries, burns, limb loss, and toxic exposure. He has successfully tried jury cases to verdict in state district court and worked on appeals, arguing cases in both the Minnesota Court of Appeals and the Minnesota Supreme Court. He is admitted to practice in both Minnesota State Court and Federal District Court.

David M. Johnson

David M. Johnson is an Of Counsel attorney at Trial Group North, with 100% of his practice dedicated to litigation. He specializes in Insurance Defense Law, Construction Law, Personal Injury, Professional Malpractice Defense, Litigation & Appeals, Mediation & Arbitration, Products Liability Law, and Wrongful Death. He is a Civil Trial Specialist certified by the Minnesota State Bar Association since 2000. Licensed in Minnesota since 1992 and Wisconsin since 1998, he has published works on ethical considerations in settlements and cross-examination of medical experts. He has been recognized with an Undergraduate Thesis Award and as a Minnesota Super Lawyer in Civil Defense Litigation.

David E. Scouton

David E. Scouton is a partner at Trial Group North, PLLP, with 100% of his practice devoted to litigation. He specializes in Toxic Tort, Product Liability Defense, Insurance Defense Law, Personal Injury - Defense, Insurance Coverage, and General Liability. He is a Qualified Neutral pursuant to Rule 114 of the Minnesota General Rules of practice. Mr. Scouton has been licensed to practice law in Minnesota since 2000, and also in North Dakota and Wisconsin. He has extensive experience in asbestos litigation, managing the firm's Toxic Tort and Products Liability Group for its Minneapolis office, and representing clients ranging from local contractors to Fortune 500 companies. He has been recognized on the Rising Stars® list by Minnesota Law & Politics Magazine from 2006-2012.

Robert C. Barnes

Honored as one of Minnesota's Top 100 Superlawyers three times, Rob Barnes has earned the Superlawyer designation sixteen times. Certified by the Minnesota State Bar Association as a Civil Trial Specialist, he has tried over 100 cases to verdict in Minnesota, Wisconsin and Federal courtrooms, and was an invited member of the American Board of Trial Advocates. Rob is a Past President and current board member of the Eleventh District Bar Association, and served for years on the Eleventh District Ethics Committee. Practice areas include personal injury, mediation/ADR, insurance law, professional liability, commercial vehicle liability, and business litigation. Prior to entering practice, Rob was a judicial law clerk for Second District Judges Charles A. Flinn, Jr. and James M. Lynch. Rob practices throughout Minnesota, in Northern Wisconsin, and select tribal courts. A lifelong Minnesotan, with brief work and education residences in Alaska and Salt Lake City, Rob enjoys all that Up North living offers. Except Winter.