Timothy R. Thornton

Director; Shareholder; Business Litigation

Tim is a shareholder and a member of the firm’s board of directors. He is based in our Minneapolis office. During his career, Tim has provided advice and tried cases on a wide variety of legal matters, including:

  • Complex litigation
  • Non-compete enforcement
  • Labor and employment
  • ERISA litigation
  • Land use
  • Environmental
  • Transportation
  • Contracts
  • Class actions
  • Securities
  • Corporate
  • Partnerships
  • Shareholder relations and corporate governance
  • Interstate commerce and federal preemption
  • Fire and explosions
  • Insurance coverage
  • Toxic torts
  • Mass torts
  • Products liability
  • General litigation
  • Railway Labor Act

Tim is the former executive vice president and general counsel of Northwest Airlines Inc.; hence, he has been on both ends of statements for legal services. As a result, he understands the value and cost of legal service and how to help inside counsel succeed. His clients include Xcel Energy, BNSF Railway Company, Canadian Pacific Railway Company, Dakota Minnesota & Eastern Railroad Company, Delta Air Lines, Inc., Mesaba Aviation Inc., Great Lakes Aviation, AON, Leamington Company, Waste Management and the National Football League Players Association. His practice focuses on litigation in all courts. Tim also has significant experience in deals and acquisitions.

Tim is a member of the Hennepin County, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Florida and American bar associations. He has been selected for inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America and listed as a "Minnesota Super Lawyer" as seen in Minnesota Law & Politics. In addition, Minnesota Law & Politics has designated Tim as a top 40 business litigator, and Benchmark Litigation has named him a leading attorney.

Tim received his B.A. from Carleton College. He received his law degree from Florida State University College of Law in Tallahassee. Tim joined Briggs in 1990.