One of the firm's most senior litigators, Andy Shern has tried more than fifty cases to jury verdict. He is known as an innovator in the use of demonstrative evidence and technology in the courtroom. His creative and strategic analysis of unique approaches to the defense of cases has produced successful results for his clients, several of whom have been referring him cases for more than twenty-five years. Andy is admitted to practice in state and federal courts in Minnesota, and the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 8th Circuit.

Andy received his J.D. from William Mitchell College of Law in 1979, and his B.A., magna cum laude, with departmental distinction in political science, from St. Olaf College in 1975.

Andy is a regular contributing author to the "Notes and Trends" Civil Litigation section of Bench and Bar, the monthly magazine of the Minnesota State Bar Association.

When his children were younger, he was active locally with the YMCA, eventually serving both as president of the Y Service Club and chair of the board of the Skyway YMCA. In 1994 he received the Y's Distinguished Leader Award. More recently he has devoted his pro bono time to assisting the Sierra Club's efforts to continue protection of the St. Croix River.

KEY PRACTICE AREAS

Civil litigation, construction and premises liability litigation, and commercial litigation.

REPRESENTATIVE CASES

• Starks v. Kmart [2006] (falling merchandise claim with $900,000 demand, settled for nuisance value after establishing forgery and perjury on the part of plaintiff)
• Morrissey v. Gurtek Construction, Inc. [2007] (construction defect; judgment in favor of defendant contractor)

HONORS

• Minnesota Super Lawyer (Minnesota Law and Politics)
• American Board of Trial Advocates

MEMBERSHIPS

• Minnesota State Bar Association
  Environmental and Natural Resources Law section