Robins Kaplan LLP is a premier national litigation firm with offices in Minneapolis, New York, Los Angeles, Boston, Bismarck, Sioux Falls, and Silicon Valley. We represent some of the world's largest companies and corporations, most innovative start-ups, and individuals from virtually every industry and walk of life, both in and out of the courtroom.
Our firm has consistently received national recognition for our trial work in Intellectual Property & Technology (IP&T), Business Litigation, Antitrust, Entertainment and Media Law, Insurance Litigation, and Mass Tort, as well as for our award-winning pro bono, diversity, and associate training programs.
Our vibrant, multi-discipline practice reflects a shared purpose of excellence, community service, and a firm-wide commitment to justice.
“Rewriting the Odds” in Complex Litigation and Trials Since 1938
We try cases representing both plaintiffs and defendants. It is our goal to challenge our new associates while providing them with the necessary training and support they need along the way. Our commitment to growing great trial lawyers begins with our nationally recognized training program “First Chair: Robins Kaplan Trial Academy” for developing the next generation of trial exceptional lawyers.
Pro Bono and Community Involvement
It is our firm’s foundational belief that everyone should have equal access to the civil justice system, regardless of their personal or economic situation. We recognize both the professional obligation of our firm and the personal obligation of our lawyers to serve our community.
With advance approval we generously count all associates’ pro bono work toward their billable hour requirement without a cap. We have been repeatedly recognized for our significant pro bono efforts which, for the last five years, has made up over 7% of our total attorney billable time.
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First Chair: Robins Kaplan Trial Academy
Our firm-wide commitment to growing great trial lawyers begins with our First Chair: Robins Kaplan Trial Academy — a nationally recognized training curriculum. First Chair is designed to develop the next generation of world-class trial attorneys by providing vigorous advocacy training conducted by our most experienced partners. It is offered as a six-year curriculum that is conducted in three phases:
Phase I - Oral Arguments, Depositions, Negotiations
Throughout this phase, junior associates have opportunities to conduct mock depositions, oral arguments, and negotiations. Participants receive immediate feedback from sitting judges and partners that enhances their structured approaches and deliveries.
Phase II - Basic Jury Trials
In this course, mid-level associates develop courtroom skills that enable them to effectively try cases in front of judges and juries. The program is taught using a breach of contract file and emphasizes skill development in opening and closing statements, evidence, impeachment, rehabilitation, and direct and cross examinations.
Phase III - Complex Jury Trials
For our senior associates we take the Phase II case file one step further and include opportunities to work with experts, conduct adverse examinations, and calculate damages. These complex trials are conducted in front of juries, judges, and partners and round out the complete trial experience for our skilled associates.
