KHibbard@GreeneEspel.comDownload vCard
Education
- J.D., University of St. Thomas School of Law, magna cum laude (2006)
- B.S., Northwestern University (2002)
Experience
- Minnesota Court of Appeals, The Honorable Wilhelmina M. Wright, Law Clerk (2006-2007)
- The League of Minnesota Cities, St. Paul, Minnesota, Litigation Law Clerk (2005-2006)
- University of St. Thomas School of Law, Research Assistant to Deans Neil Hamilton and Jerome Organ (2004-2006)
Kathryn Nikolai Hibbard joined Greene Espel in 2007 after clerking for the Honorable Wilhelmina M. Wright of the Minnesota Court of Appeals. Kate's practice focuses principally on products liability defense, business litigation, and governmental defense. Kate graduated magna cum laude from the University of St. Thomas School of Law, where she currently serves on the Alumni Board of Directors. While in law school, Kate worked as a litigation law clerk for the League of Minnesota Cities, a position that allowed her to assist attorneys with complex land-use, employment, and civil-rights disputes. Kate holds a Bachelor of Science degree from Northwestern University.
REPRESENTATIVE CASES
Bridgewater Telephone Co. v. City of Monticello, 765 N.W.2d 905 (Minn. Ct. App. 2009), review denied (Minn. Jun. 16, 2009). Obtained an order dismissing telephone company’s lawsuit alleging that the City’s plans to construct a high-speed Internet/telephone/cable system were unlawful because such a system is not a “utility or other public convenience from which a revenue may be derived,” within the meaning of the relevant Minnesota’s statutes. The Minnesota Court of Appeals affirmed, and two weeks later, the Minnesota Supreme Court issued an expedited decision denying the telephone company's petition for review of the Court of Appeals decision.
Naser Jewelers, Inc. v. City of Concord, 513 F.3d 27 (1st Cir. 2007). Co-author of amicus brief on behalf of American Planning Association and International Municipal Lawyers Association in a lawsuit involving challenge to the constitutionality of ban on dynamic billboards and electronic message centers.
BAR ADMISSIONS
State Bar of Minnesota
U.S. District Court for the District of Minnesota
First Circuit Court of Appeals
PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS
Federal Bar Association
Hennepin County Bar Association
Minnesota State Bar Association
Minnesota Women Lawyers
Defense Research Institute
Minnesota Defense Lawyers Association
AWARDS AND OTHER RECOGNITION
Presidential Scholarship Recipient
Dean’s List, all semesters
Dean's Awards in Intellectual Property, Administrative Law, and Family Law
PUBLICATIONS
“Crisis Management” (Chapter 20), Product Liability Litigation: Current Law, Strategies and Best Practices (Practicing Law Institute 2009).
COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT
University of St. Thomas School of Law, Alumni Board of Directors
President-Elect (2009)
Secretary and Treasurer (2008)
University of St. Thomas School of Law
Mentor
Infinity Project