Rolf E. Sonnesyn

Experience

Rolf is an experienced litigator with nearly 40 years of experience.  He has tried a wide variety of cases all over Minnesota and western Wisconsin, attaining the status of Certified Civil Trial Specialist.  Rolf’s skill as an advocate allows him to achieve excellent results for his client in an efficient and timely manner.  His knowledge, expertise, and understanding of the law has earned him the respect of his peers and the bench alike.  Rolf has distinguished himself as a leader in the area of professional liability, representing numerous insurance agents and other professionals—he has published several articles and frequently presents on the topic.

Education

• William Mitchell College of Law, J.D., 1981
• University of Minnesota, B.A., Summa Cum Laude, 1977

Bar Admissions

• Minnesota, 1981
• Wisconsin, 1989
• U.S. District Court, Minnesota and Wisconsin
• Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals

Practice Areas

Personal Injury Litigation

• Boating and Recreational Vehicle Accidents
• Motor Vehicle Accident
• Premises Liability
• Products Liability
• Retail and Hospitality
• Wrongful Death and Catastrophic Injury

Professional Liability

• Appraisers
• Insurance Agents and Brokers
• Design Professionals
• Engineers
• Realtors, Brokers and Brokerages
• Community Associations
• Directors and Officers (D&O)
• For-profit and Non-profit Boards

Other Civil Litigation

• Commercial
• Defamation
• Fire

Insurance Coverage

Subrogation

Professional Recognition

• Certified as a Civil Trial Specialist by the Minnesota State Bar Association
• Super Lawyer, 2003 – 2015
• Martindale – Hubbell AV rated

Representative Cases

• Pautz v. Cal-Ros, Inc., 340 N.W.2d 338 (Minn. 1983)
• Bergerson v. Thermo Comfort, Inc., 354 N.W.2d 422 (Minn. 1984)
• In re Ganzer, 54 B.R. 75, 13 Collier Bankr. Cas. 2d 947 (D. Minn. 1985)
• Alwes v. Hartford Life and Accident Insurance Co., 372 N.W.2d 376 (Minn. Ct. App. 1985)
• Rakow v. Waterfall Inn and Supper Club, Inc., 381 N.W.2d 66 (Minn. Ct. App. 1986)
• Sommerness v. Quadna Resort Services, 416 N.W.2d 178 (Minn. Ct. App. 1987)
• Spragg v. Shuster, 398 N.W.2d 683 (Minn. Ct. App. 1987)
• Bradley v. Vic’s Welding, 405 N.W.2d 243 (Minn. 1987)
• Rambaum v. Swisher, 435 N.W.2d 19 (Minn. 1989)
• Bushland v. Corner Pocket Billiard Lounge of Moorhead, Inc., 462 N.W.2d 615 (Minn. Ct. App. 1990)
• Paulson v. Lapa, Inc., 450 N.W.2d 374 (Minn. Ct. App. 1990)
• Unique Systems Development, Inc. v. Star Agency, 500 N.W.2d 144 (Minn. Ct. App. 1993)
• Vogel v. Hochalter, 516 N.W.2d 214 (Minn. Ct. App. 1994)
• Dunlap v. Chubb Life Insurance Company of America, 981 F. Supp. 1201 (D. Minn. 1997)
• State Farm Mutual Insurance Co. v. Cincinnati Insurance Co., 666 N.W.2d 334 (Minn. 2003)
• Brown v. Sandeen Agency, Inc., 316 Wis.2d 253, 762 N.W.2d 850 (2008)
• Carlson v. Allstate Insurance Co., 749 N.W.2d 41 (Minn. 2008)
• Cascades Development of Minnesota, LLC v. National Specialty Insurance, 675 F. 3d 1095 (8th Cir. 2012)
• Acuity v. Johnson, 776 F. 3d 588 (8th Cir. 2015)
• Occidental Fire & Cas. Co. of N. Carolina v. Interstate Risk Placement, Inc., 329 F. Supp. 3d 711 (D. Minn. 2018)
• Emer’s Camper Corral, LLC v. Alderman, 2019 WI App 17