Robert T. Kugler

Shareholder

P 612.335.1645 F 612.335.1657

Robert Kugler is an experienced business and commercial litigator, with an emphasis on bankruptcy litigation. As chair of Leonard, Street and Deinard’s Business and Commercial Litigation practice, Rob leads a team of seasoned and successful business litigators. For more than 20 years, Rob has provided counsel to creditors, shareholders, trustees and committees in all matters relating to bankruptcy protection and litigation, and has served as trustee to post-bankruptcy creditor trusts. He also serves as the principal litigator in complex commercial litigation disputes representing lenders, financial services providers, lessors, developers, manufacturers and retailers. These matters range from multi-billion dollar Ponzi scheme claims to fiduciary duty litigation to claims against guarantors and principals.

Rob regularly speaks on complex bankruptcy litigation matters and has served as an adjunct bankruptcy professor at Hamline University. He began his legal career as a law clerk to the Honorable Dennis O’Brien of the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the District of Minnesota. Prior to joining Leonard, Street and Deinard, he was a partner at the firm of Robins, Kaplan, Miller & Ciresi LLP in Minneapolis.

Professional and Civic Activities

Member, London Courts of International Arbitration
Member, American Bar Association
Member, Federal Bar Association
Member, American Bankruptcy Institute
Member, Commercial Law League of America
Member, Equipment Leasing Association
Member, Turnaround Management Association
Member, National Association of Bankruptcy Trustees
Former chair, Minnesota Supreme Court Board of Legal Certification
Member, District of Columbia Bar Association
Member, Minnesota State Bar Association, Bankruptcy Section
Member, Pennsylvania Bar Association

Among his notable cases, Rob:

Represented multiple lenders defending claims in excess of $3 billion in a Minnesota-based fraud case.
Won a $7.2 million verdict against a former trustee of a liquidating trust resulting from the breach of fiduciary duties.
Acted as litigation counsel to the Equity Committee in the Cone Mills bankruptcy case.
Acted as committee counsel in the Petters Aviation bankruptcy case.
Serves as lease enforcement counsel for U.S. Bancorp Equipment Finance.
Represented the liquidating trustee of Delaware-based Fruehauf Trailer Corporation in a variety of matters, including fiduciary, intellectual property and bankruptcy litigation.
Represented multiple developments entities in connection with the Opus bankruptcy case.