Main Areas of Practice

Railroad litigation, government relations, transactions and related railroad business matters are a main focus of my practice.  I have experience on environmental matters and specialized agency representation including matters before the U.S. Surface Transportation Board.  Since 1995, I have provided railroads with personal injury and FELA defense representation. I have also represented railroads before state and federal agencies on a variety of administrative matters.

Industry involvement includes membership in the National Association of Railroad Trial Counsel (Central Region Vice President 2013-2014) and the American Short Line and Regional Railroad Association. Representative clients include Canadian Pacific; Rapid City, Pierre & Eastern Railroad; and Sunflour Railroad. 

Agricultural producers, processors and related entities are also clients. Ag Law and related regulatory or environmental issues are a passion for us. We represent animal feeding operations of all kinds in obtaining conditional use permits or other authorizations needed from local zoning authorities in South Dakota. The Firm handles other appeals and disputes, and we can assist in all areas that affect operations or development of agricultural production. Whether in the courts, the county commission meeting or an agency office, we advocate for you, so you can get things done.

Prior to going to Law School, Brian Donahoe worked for a large construction and land development company in the western suburbs of Boston, MA for 3 years. Our practice includes all phases of representation of contractors or owners, from contract negotiations to claims. It is always better to avoid disputes, but if one arises, we can assist in arbitration, mediation or litigation as needed.

Complex or difficult civil actions, including class action cases, are also within our areas of practice. This includes Intellectual Property litigation (patent and trademark issues), Insurance  disputes (coverage, life insurance and environmental or pollution insurance lawsuits), large or complex Trust litigation, and other highly contested lawsuits.

Our firm handles arbitration matters, and Brian Donahoe is trained and qualified as a Minnesota State ADR-Rule 114 Neutral, able to act as an Arbitrator under the categories of Arbitrtation, Consensual Special Magistrate, Moderated Settlement Conference, Summary Jury Trial, Early Neutral Evaluation and Neutral Fact Finding forms of alternative dispute resolution.

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