 | Anne M. Lockner
Robins, Kaplan, Miller & Ciresi L.L.P.
2800 LaSalle Plaza, 800 LaSalle Avenue
Minneapolis, MN 55402
612-349-8500 (firm)
612-339-4181 (fax)
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Practice Groups
Experience
- Legal Experience—Solving Complex Business Problems
Ms. Lockner is a partner in the firm's business litigation department, and acts as lead counsel on numerous
complex-litigation cases with multi-million dollars—as well as the clients' reputations—on the line. She considers it
imperative to understand her client's business before developing a strategy for a case, understanding that business
objectives and risk tolerance will determine what constitutes a successful outcome. As part of her routine practice, she
requires attorneys on her teams to meet as a group with the firm's Financial and Economic Consultants to review her clients'
10-K reports or other relevant business information to further that goal.
- Trial Experience
Ms. Lockner has extensive experience in first and second chairing trials in both state and federal courts. Most
recently, she successfully first chaired a jury trial in defense of a Fortune 50 publicly-traded company in
a-breach-of-contract case relating to registered securities where trial counsel on the other side was named one of the 100
Most Influential Lawyers in the History of the State by Minnesota Law & Politics. The jury found in favor of Ms. Lockner's
client. Two months earlier, she second-chaired a two-week federal criminal conspiracy and tax-fraud case in the Federal
District of Minnesota on behalf of a prominent, local businessperson, cross examining the special agent, the revenue agent,
and the alleged victim, among others. The jury acquitted the client on 5 of 9 counts, including those with the most
alleged financial losses.
- Early Resolutions
While she loves trying cases, Ms. Lockner has also had great success in obtaining early resolutions where it serves her
clients best interests. In recent months, she successfully obtained summary judgment in a putative nationwide federal class
action on behalf of a Fortune 50 company, won a motion to dismiss a complaint alleging various state law fraud claims, and
defeated class certification in two federal class actions. She also recently negotiated an early nationwide class-action
settlement before any discovery or advanced motion practice had occurred. The settlement ended up being 60 percent less than
what other defendants in similar cases brought by the same plaintiff's counsel settled for after much more extensive
discovery and motion practice, providing finality with minimal exposure to the client.
- Government and Internal Investigations
Ms. Lockner also has extensive experience handling governmental investigations and has litigated against and negotiated
with numerous Attorneys General throughout the country. She successfully obtained an outright voluntary dismissal of a case
that the Ohio Attorney General brought after she obtained sanctions against the State for discovery abuses. In addition, Ms.
Lockner has handled and participated in several internal and grand jury investigations and recognizes that there are not
only legal, but also public relations and employee-morale ramifications that must be mitigated in these instances.
- Business Counseling
In-house attorneys, both in and outside the litigation department, have looked to her for guidance with a wide variety
of areas of concern. For nearly four years, on a quarterly basis, she and a highly-valued member of the firm's E-Discovery
practice have met with a client's in-house commercial litigation team to explore ways in which to increase efficiencies in
preserving, collecting, and producing e-discovery materials, resulting in hundreds of thousands of dollars in savings to the
client. In another instance, Ms. Lockner was brought in to lead a cross-functional team in implementing a complex,
high-profile project relating to the company's massive IT infrastructure in a manner that took into account how those
changes could impact pending and future litigation.
- Pro Bono and Community Service—Serving Those In Need
In addition to her per diem practice, Ms. Lockner heads the firm's nationally-recognized Pro Bono Program. Since Ms.
Lockner was named to that position in 2009, the firm has been ranked in the top 10 of Am Law firms two years in a row and
was featured as one of five firms nationally whose ranks had increased the most over the previous five years. In 2011, the
"The Vault" survey named the firm as No. 1 in the nation for its pro bono program. She has been fortunate to represent
numerous inspiring clients who have faced debilitating challenges and have thrived despite them, including asylum seekers,
foster children, battered women, and veterans. In one case, she began representing an Ethiopian woman seeking asylum two
weeks after Ms. Lockner was sworn into the bar. After three trials, two trips to the Board of Immigration Appeals, and
finally a trip to the Eighth Circuit where Ms. Lockner argued to overturn the immigration judge's decision, her client was
finally awarded asylum status nearly nine years later.
Ms. Lockner also serves on the board of several organizations including the Advocates for Human Rights, the Legal Aid
Society, and the Basilica Landmark. She also serves as one of two trustees to the Basilica of St. Mary where she also sits
on the parish counsel and the finance committee. She also is involved with Cristo Rey Jesuit High School in Minneapolis.
- Litigation Philosophy and Objective
Ms. Lockner's litigation philosophy is to pick her battles well, guided primarily by her clients' needs and objectives.
She has been described as having "a velvet glove in one hand and brass knuckles in the other," and she knows when one should
be used rather than the other. She also took pride in the business client who told her: "I don't like needing you, but I
sure do have fun working with you." In sum, Ms. Lockner's most basic objective is to make her client's life easier—whether
it be the in-house legal counsel who has to meet a budget and apprise her board of litigation risks, a business client who
wants to capitalize on an opportunity, or the pro bono client who needs our justice system to protect him.
Selected Results*
- Successful Dismissals By Motion
Obtained early summary judgment in the Western District of Washington on behalf of a Fortune 50 company where the plaintiff
alleged claims under the Telephone Consumer Protection Act, the Washington Automatic Dialing and Answering Services Act, and
the Washington Telephone Solicitation statute.
Successfully argued a motion to dismiss in Minnesota state court regarding claims of breach of contract and fraud claims.
Obtained dismissal on the pleadings of nationwide class action alleging breach of contract, violations of the Ohio &
Kentucky Deceptive Business Trade Practices Act, and violations of the Ohio & Kentucky Consumer Protection Act.
Successfully argued before the Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals which later affirmed.
Represented national retailer in nationwide consumer class action alleging breach of contract and unlawful merchandising
practices. Defeated class certification and subsequently obtained affirmance from the Missouri Court of Appeals.
Obtained dismissal on the pleadings of a nationwide class action alleging claims of fraud, rescission, and restitution in
the District of Colorado.
- Defeating Class Certification
Defeated class certification in the Northern District of Illinois where plaintiff alleged claims under the Illinois
Consumer Fraud and Deceptive Business Practices Act, for breach of the covenant of good faith and fair dealing, common law
false advertising, unjust enrichment, and declaratory and injunctive relief. As a result, the plaintiff voluntarily
dismissed the case.
Defeated class certification in the Central District of California where plaintiffs alleged claims under the California
Consumers Legal Remedies Act (CLRA), Cal. Civ. Code § 1750; the Unfair Competition Law (UCL), Cal. Bus. & Prof. Code §
17200; the False Advertising Law (FAL), Cal. Bus. & Prof. Code § 17500; breach of the covenant of good faith and fair
dealing; for common law adversing; for unjust enrichment; and declaratory and injunctive relief.
Defeated class certification in a nationwide consumer class action in the Southern District of New York on behalf of a large
national corporation. Plaintiff voluntarily dismissed and declined to appeal.
Defeated class certification in consumer class action brought in the Southern District of Florida alleging claims under the
Florida Deceptive Uniform Trade Practices Act. Plaintiff voluntarily dismissed case with prejudice.
Represented national retailer in nationwide consumer class action alleging breach of contract and unlawful merchandising
practices. Defeated class certification and subsequently obtained affirmance from the Missouri Court of Appeals.
Obtained class decertification from the Texas Supreme Court on behalf of large corporation in a statewide consumer class
action alleging breach of contract and unjust enrichment.
- Voluntary Dismissals, Settlements, and Appeals (other than those mentioned above)
Creatively obtained a temporary restraining order on behalf of an individual that enjoined her former employer from
enforcing a non-compete provision. In its notice of appeal hoping to vacate the injunction, the defendants noted that they
had "been unable to find a single appellate court decision in Minnesota in which an employee has sought, much less been
granted, a TRO based on his or her declaratory judgment action." The parties settled on a confidential basis.
Obtained voluntary dismissal from the State of Ohio after obtaining sanctions against the State for discovery abuses.
Obtained voluntary dismissal from the State of Wisconsin against a large, nationwide corporation.
Obtained reversal from the Eighth Circuit of the lower courts' denials of asylum in a pro bono appeal entitled
Hailemichael v. Gonzales, 454 F.3d 878 (8th Cir. 2006).
Member of post-remand trial team of Eolas Technologies, Inc. and The Regents of the University of California v. Microsoft
Corporation. This case settled on confidential terms on the eve of trial.
* Past results are reported to provide the reader with an indication of the type of litigation in which we practice and
does not and should not be construed to create an expectation of result in any other case as all cases are dependent upon
their own unique fact situation and applicable law.
Recognition
- Named a "Future Star," Legal Media Group Benchmark Litigation Survey (2010,2011)**
- Awarded "2009 Volunteer Award," by The Advocates for Human Rights
- Named a "Rising Star" by Minnesota Law & Politics (2003-2009, 2011)**
- Named an "Up and Coming Attorney," by Minnesota Lawyer (2004)**
**Being named to the list or receiving the award is not intended and should not be viewed as comparative to other
lawyers or to create an expectation about results that might be achieved in a future matter.
Memberships
- Federal Bar Association
- American Bar Association
- Minnesota State Bar Association
- Hennepin County Bar Association
- Minnesota Women Lawyers
Civic Associations
- Legal Aid Society of Minneapolis, Board of Directors
- The Advocates for Human Rights
- Children's Law Center of Minnesota
Bar Admissions
- Minnesota
- U.S. Court of Appeals, Ninth Circuit
- U.S. Court of Appeals, Eighth Circuit
- U.S. Court of Appeals, Sixth Circuit
- U.S. District Court, Colorado
- U.S. District Court, Minnesota
- U.S. District Court, Northern District of Indiana
- U.S. Supreme Court
Education
- Georgetown University Law Center, J.D., cum laude (1999)
- University of Minnesota, B.A., Political Science, summa cum laude (1996)
See Library Tab for articles, publications and presentations
by Anne Lockner
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Anne Lockner News
- Nov 2011
Robins, Kaplan, Miller & Ciresi L.L.P. Ranks Prominently in Annual Benchmark Litigation Survey
Robins, Kaplan, Miller & Ciresi L.L.P. is pleased to announce it has again ranked prominently in the annual Benchmark Litigation survey of in-house counsel and private practice lawyers by the Legal Media Group.
- Jul 29, 2011
Vault Survey Ranks Robins, Kaplan, Miller & Ciresi L.L.P. #1 for Pro Bono
Robins, Kaplan, Miller & Ciresi L.L.P. ranked first for Pro Bono in the 2012 Vault Top 100 Law Firm Survey.
- Jul 2011
Attorneys Named as "Minnesota Super Lawyers and Rising Stars 2011"
Firm's Attorneys Named "Minnesota Super Lawyers and Rising Stars"
- Jan 2011
Firm Receives National Law Journal's 2011 Pro Bono Award
Firm is recognized for its commitment to justice
- May 19, 2009
Anne Lockner to Receive
2009 Volunteer Award
Anne M. Lockner, a partner in the national law firm of Robins, Kaplan, Miller & Ciresi L.L.P. and chair of the firm's
Pro Bono Committee is being awarded the "2009 Volunteer Award" by The Advocates for Human Rights.
- Mar 2, 2009
Anne
Lockner Appointed Chair of Firm's Pro Bono Committee
Anne Lockner, a partner in the Business Litigation department at Robins, Kaplan, Miller & Ciresi L.L.P. has been
appointed Chair of the firm's Pro Bono Committee.
- Nov 24, 2008
Attorneys Named as
"Minnesota Rising Stars 2009"
Attorneys in the firm's Minneapolis office were named "Minnesota Rising Stars 2009" by Law & Politics.
- Jan 2, 2008
Firm Names Four
Partners in Minneapolis Office
The national law firm of Robins, Kaplan, Miller & Ciresi L.L.P., has named Anne M. Lockner, William J. Maddix, Ryan G.
Miest, and Stephen P. Safranki partners in its Minneapolis office.
- Dec 2007
Attorneys Named as
"Minnesota Rising Stars 2008"
Attorneys in the firm's Minneapolis office, were named "Minnesota Rising Stars 2008" by Law & Politics.
Articles
- The Fifth Amendment, Vicarious Liability, and the Attorney Client Privilege; How Cooperation and Waiver Can Leave
Your Corporation Exposed
(November 2005)
Selected Speeches
- Effective and Efficient Litigation Case Management
Minnesota CLE, Webcast (August 17, 2011)
- E-Discovery and Experts
2005 E-Discovery Best Practices for Litigation & Document Management
Mendota Heights, Minnesota, (April 12, 2005)
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