Liz Kramer litigates complex business and construction disputes. She represents both plaintiffs and defendants in a variety of cases, frequently involving franchise disputes, construction projects, defamation, energy service contracts, breaches of contract, and appeals. 

Liz is deeply knowledgeable on arbitration law; she blogs about it at www.arbitrationnation.com and regularly teaches CLEs about the subject. In 2012, Liz’s blog, Arbitration Nation, was named as one of the top 100 best blogs for a legal audience by ABA Journal. Arbitration Nation is the only arbitration blog featured in the Blawg 100, and one of only two by Minnesota authors.

Liz serves on Leonard, Street and Deinard’s Associate Review Committee. She also serves on the Governing Council of the Minnesota State Bar Association’s Appellate Practice Section. Recognized for her litigation skills and community leadership, Liz was selected for inclusion in Super Lawyers®-Rising Stars in 2011 and 2012 and was one of just 25 attorneys honored as an Up & Coming Attorney by Minnesota Lawyer in 2009.

An active participant in Leonard, Street and Deinard’s pro bono efforts, Liz currently leads the firm’s efforts to take pro bono appeals from the State Office of Public Defender. Liz co-chaired the Fund for Legal Aid’s fundraising efforts among all law firm associates in Hennepin County from 2005-2011, helping to raise hundreds of thousands of dollars. In 2003, Liz received the firm’s Pro Bono Service in the Public Interest Award.

Liz clerked for Justice Helen Meyer of the Minnesota Supreme Court before joining Leonard, Street and Deinard.

Professional and Civic Activities

• American Bar Association
• Minnesota State Bar Association, Construction Section and Appellate Practice Section
• Hennepin County Bar Association
• Ramsey County Bar Association
• Minnesota Supreme Court Historical Society

As the following examples illustrate, Liz has helped construction and business clients resolve a variety of disputes during the last seven years.

• Successfully represented hotel franchisee in wrongful termination suit against franchisor.
• Currently representing subcontractor in contract dispute with general contractor.
• Successfully represented individual accused of defamation based on Internet posting.
• Obtained a favorable settlement on behalf of a Minnesota company after prosecuting a competitor for tortious interference.
• Successfully prosecuted a builder’s breach of Minnesota’s new home warranties on behalf of an association of condominium owners.
• Obtained a favorable settlement on behalf of a Fortune 100 company after prosecuting a breach of an asset purchase agreement.
• Represented multiple vehicle dealers in disputes against vehicle manufacturers.

Liz writes frequently on the topics of arbitrability and First Amendment issues. 

• Arbitration Nation blog (www.arbitrationnation.com)
• Liz was featured in “Campaign contributions not enough to establish arbitrator partiality,” InsideCounsel, May 2013
• “Did Stolt-Nielsen Shipwreck Class Arbitration?,” The Arbitrator, March 2013
• "Is Class Arbitration Naughty or Nice?," Minnesota Lawyer, December 2012
• Liz was featured in “1st Circuit makes it harder to avoid class arbitration,” InsideCounsel, October 2012
• "Arbitration Alcatraz: Rent-A-Center v. Jackson Takes Severability to a Whole New Level," The Hennepin Lawyer, November 2010
• “To Arbitrate or to Litigate? That Is the Question,” Leonard, Street and Deinard Construction Update, January 2010
• Co-author, “Spying in the Boys Room: How One Community Stopped Video Surveillance of Students in Locker Rooms,” The ABA Committee on Media, Privacy and Defamation Law Newsletter, (summer 2009)
• Co-author, “Commercial Defamation and Disparagement” Business and Commercial Litigation in Federal Courts 2d, (2005 and updated each subsequent year)
• “The Short Shelf Life of Onvoy, Inc. v. SHAL, LLC: What Remains of the Minnesota Supreme Court Ruling After Buckeye Check Cashing, Inc. v. Cardegna?”  33 William Mitchell Law Review 1279 (2007)
• “Achieving Equitable Education Through the Courts: A Comparative Analysis of Three States,” 31 Journal of Law & Education, (2002)

Education

• J.D., Yale Law School, 2002
       Editor, Yale Journal of Law and Feminism
• B.A., magna cum laude, Mount Holyoke College, 1996

Admissions

• Minnesota Supreme Court
• U.S. District Court for the District of Minnesota
• U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit