Deborah C. Swenson / Biography
Before retirement, Deb Swenson provided clients with practical, cost effective legal advice in the area of commercial bankruptcy and commercial litigation. In bankruptcy matters, she assisted clients who had customers that had filed bankruptcy matters no matter where they arose in the United States. Her philosophy is based upon the belief that clients shouldn’t have to pay the cost to reinvent the wheel to repeatedly educate attorney after attorney about a legal issue that is common to their business. Instead, she used her knowledge of her clients’ businesses to work as a team with a specially chosen local counsel to bring about positive results without the high cost of travel. Her practice was unique as over the last 20 years she developed relationships with counsel in all 50 states, enabling her to provide clients with a one-stop process to have their commercial bankruptcy and commercial litigation matters handled efficiently and effectively.
She enjoyed providing these services to clients across the country. Clients included Fortune 500 companies in the transportation, staffing and services industries. She also worked on appellate matters in the Minnesota Court of Appeals, the Minnesota Supreme Court and the Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals.
Of special interest to her is the defense of avoidance actions, including preference and fraudulent transfers. During her long legal practice she defended corporations in hundreds of avoidance actions in over 40 jurisdictions.
Deb also worked to protect her clients’ interests in bankruptcy through an active motion practice, including relief from the automatic stay and other motions in the bankruptcy courts throughout the United States. She also served as a liquidating trustee in a Minnesota Chapter 11 liquidation case involving former franchisee.
Deb is rated AV Preeminent® for the highest level of professional excellence by Martindale-Hubbell.
Education
- Stanford Law School, J.D., 1995
- University of Minnesota, B.A., summa cum laude, 1992
News + Articles
Minnesota Court of Appeals Rules on Dickhoff Case
A medical-malpractice claim based on a physician’s failure to diagnose cancer is not barred as a mere “loss of chance” (or reduced-chance) claim when the misdiagnosis resulted in a delay in treatment that makes it more likely than not that the patient will not survive...
Securing an Unbiased Arbitrator
Kelly Sofio spoke to the Twin Cities Claims Association along with co-presenter David Larrabee in 2011 on the topic of "Securing an Unbiased Arbitrator."
Verdicts, JNOV, Post Trial Procedures and Motions
Bryan Feldhaus spoke at a Minnesota CLE seminar on December 1, 2011, How to Litigate the Civil Case in Minnesota. Bryan's topic was "Verdicts, JNOV, Post Trial Procedures and Motions, including preserving the right to appeal."
Court Approves Settlement in 876 Bondholders/St. Paul Port Authority Case
The Ramsey County District Court gave final approval for the settlement between Plaintiffs, 876 Bondholders, and the St. Paul Port Authority at a hearing before the Honorable Robert Awsumb on October 27, 2011. Get more information: Read more about the settlement; Read...
Marc Johannsen New Mayor of Vadnais Heights
The City of Vadnais Heights welcomes a new Mayor! Marc A. Johannsen was appointed as Mayor at the October 19, 2011 City Council meeting. Johannsen replaces Susan Banovetz who resigned effective September 30th to take a position with the University of Minnesota-Duluth....
Closely Held Business Seminar: Avoid the Obstacles; Grab the Opportunities
Lommen Abdo presents a closely held business seminar on Thursday, October 27, 2011. Learn how to maximize your opportunities and navigate the inherent obstacles. Gain valuable and practical insight into how to: Avoid legal disputes, including avoiding personal...