Kevin
M.
Decker
Shareholder; Business Litigation
Kevin is a shareholder in the firm of Briggs and Morgan, Professional Association. He is a member of the Business Litigation Section and Appellate Practice Group, and practices primarily in the areas of:
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Mass torts
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Toxic torts
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Unfair competition
Kevin has represented clients in North Dakota and Minnesota federal district courts, Minnesota state court, and various courts of appeals. Kevin has also worked on several certiorari proceedings at the U.S. Supreme Court. He works closely with clients in the regulated industries of railroads and utilities, as well as clients dealing with non-compete agreements.
Since joining the firm in 2002, Kevin has been highly active in complex railroad litigation and toxic torts. He was a member of the trial team responsible for handling a major case involving alleged leakage of millions of gallons of diesel fuel at a railyard, which resulted in more than 100 personal injury/property damage claims and causes of action by the state and city. He has also been a part of the ongoing defense of a major railroad against thousands of toxic exposure complaints related to a high-profile train derailment. Through these cases, Kevin has gained extensive appellate experience, particularly with respect to federal preemption.
Regarding utilities, Kevin has represented an electric company in matters involving stray voltage claims and alleged exposure to harmful levels of underground current. He also has experience with handling litigation bars to claims implicating the services contemplated by tariffs filed with state utilities commissions. Kevin’s utilities work has spanned the district and appellate courts.
In his general business litigation practice, Kevin has experience with all types of business disputes, with a particular emphasis on non-compete agreements. He has successfully represented innovative companies seeking to protect their intellectual capital from falling into the hands of competitors.
Born in New Hope, Minnesota, Kevin received his B.S.B in accounting with distinction from the University of Minnesota Carlson School of Management. He received his law degree magna cum laude from William Mitchell College of Law where he was an assistant editor for the William Mitchell Law Review. He has been listed as a "Minnesota Rising Star" in Minnesota Law & Politics.
Prior to joining Briggs in 2002, Kevin was an accountant for a Minneapolis accounting firm and served as research assistant for the 3M corporate business lab. Kevin also clerked for the Honorable Jill Flaskamp Halbrooks at the Minnesota Court of Appeals.