After more than a decade of success in complex commercial litigation at Robins Kaplan, Michael Reif has found a new calling. This year, he made the transition to the firm's Personal Injury and Medical Malpractice Group, bringing with him years of litigation experience and a renewed sense of purpose.
From Business Litigation to Personal Advocacy
Mike's journey at Robins Kaplan began in 2005 as a summer associate. After graduating from law school in 2006, he clerked for two years in the U.S. District Court for the District of Minnesota before returning to the firm in 2008. While he initially started in insurance litigation and briefly returned to that practice during the pandemic, Mike quickly found his stride in complex business litigation, where he spent the majority of his career.
The turning point came during the landmark BMO trial, where Mike was part of the team that secured the largest verdict in Minnesota history. The trial, which lasted nearly seven weeks, provided Mike with the experience of being part of a trial team on a massive and complex case where he engaged in daily trial work.
"Although I had done trial work before, this was by far the longest and most intense," Mike said. "Being in court almost every day, I really enjoyed the experience and wanted to find a way to be in the courtroom more often."
A Case That Changed Everything
This desire led Mike to connect with Philip Sieff on the "dusting" cases involving aerosol products, one of which culminated in a groundbreaking trial. In April 2024, Mike was part of the Robins Kaplan trial team that secured a $7.75 million verdict against CRC Industries, Inc., a manufacturer of aerosol dust remover products. This case is believed to be the first against a dust remover manufacturer to result in a plaintiff's verdict.
The litigation stemmed from a tragic 2019 vehicle crash where a client's wife was killed after her car was struck by a driver impaired from huffing CRC Duster. The case focused on the company's responsibility for the foreseeable consequences of their products' misuse.
For Mike, the experience was transformative. "The impact of having our client with us the entire time in the courtroom—a man whose wife had been killed and was still processing the grief 4-5 years later—was powerful in a way that's hard to describe. Even if we hadn't gotten the result we did, it would have been a meaningful experience."
After the trial, there was a significant legislative change in Minnesota, with new regulations now requiring aerosol dusters containing 1,1-difluoroethane (DFE) to be sold behind the counter, with purchase limits and age restrictions. Products must also carry explicit warnings about the dangers of misuse.
A Natural Transition
The transition to personal injury law has been surprisingly natural for Mike. "The way Robins approaches cases means it wasn't as difficult a jump as it could've been elsewhere," he said. "Based on our history, we try to find the angle of fighting for people who are seeking justice in all our cases. Whether it's complex business litigation, intellectual property, or insurance—the mentality of righting a wrong works across disciplines."
His experience with insurance companies in his previous work has also proved valuable. "From a practical standpoint, we're often dealing with insurance companies on the other side. That insight into what's happening on the other side has been extremely useful during this shift."
Finding Fulfillment in Client Advocacy
When asked what he finds most rewarding about personal injury and medical malpractice law, Mike points to the clients themselves.
"At its purest form, you are representing people that have nowhere else to turn, who had this huge event in their life and never wanted to be part of the legal process," he said. "To play a role in this and help them in a way that makes them feel seen, heard, and valued—that's about as high of a calling as you can have as an attorney."
Mike also values the opportunity to work alongside experienced attorneys in the Personal Injury and Medical Malpractice Group. "Working with lawyers who are so good at what they do and believe so firmly in the mission of their work is inspiring, educational, and eye-opening. It's a great opportunity to learn from them and improve my own skills."
As he looks ahead, Mike is focused on continuing to grow in his new practice area and deepening his connections within Minnesota's legal community. "I'm really excited about practicing more in Minnesota and getting to know more people in the Plaintiffs Bar and Minnesota Bar more broadly. I also look forward to being in our courts more often and doing the work that's made Robins so well known for so long, keeping that legacy moving forward."
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