Overview
Rashanda Bruce has a proven track record of securing justice for victims of complex product liability and wrongful death cases. As an attorney in the firm’s mass tort and personal injury groups, she is a fierce advocate in the courtroom and devoted to helping her clients. In April 2024, Rashanda was part of a trial team that secured a landmark $7.75 million verdict against CRC Industries for its failure to prevent the foreseeable misuse of its aerosol duster products. The total judgment later increased to almost $10.5 million after the court granted a post-trial motion for pre- and post-verdict prejudgment interest and costs. The case centered on the tragic death of a Minnesotan mother who was killed after a driver huffed a can of CRC Duster and crashed into her car. Other notable case results include a $7.5 million verdict after a man was fatally shot following a minor fender bender and a $650,000 wrongful death settlement after plaintiffs alleged that health care providers failed to provide appropriate mental health care and treatment.
With nearly a decade of experience at Robins Kaplan, Rashanda's career began as a case assistant and paralegal before she pursued her law degree. After practicing at a national law firm in Minneapolis where she represented clients in a wide range of litigation and labor and employment matters, she returned to Robins Kaplan as an associate. Her prior experience as a paralegal enables her to build strong client relationships through clear communication and a deep understanding of the legal process, while her legal expertise ensures she navigates the courtroom with confidence and skill, advocating effectively for her clients.
In 2024 alone, Rashanda has been recognized multiple times for her accomplishments and leadership skills by various publications. She was named to Lawdragon 500 X – The Next Generation, which celebrates those “who will define where the legal profession of our country goes.” Other accolades include being listed in The Best Lawyers in America: Ones to Watch (2024-2025 editions) and one of Profiles in Diversity Journal’s Diverse Lawyers Making a Difference.
Rashanda is an active member of several professional organizations, reflecting her commitment to both the legal community and broader social causes. She serves on the Board of Directors for the Hennepin County Bar Association, the Minnesota Association of Black Lawyers—where she chairs the Membership Committee—and Prodeo Academy. Rashanda also contributes her expertise as a member of the Outreach Committee for Twin Cities Diversity in Practice and as Co-Treasurer for the Warren E. Burger Inn of Court. Additionally, she volunteers with the Volunteer Lawyers Network as a housing court attorney.
She is a member of the American Association for Justice and a 2024 graduate of its Leadership Academy, an initiative focused on promoting diversity within the organization. Rashanda’s professional affiliations also include the Minnesota Association for Justice, Minnesota Women Lawyers, and the National Bar Association. Recently, she expanded her impact by joining the Advisory Board of Books for Africa, a leading nonprofit dedicated to providing books to communities across the African continent.
Beyond her legal achievements, Rashanda actively fosters empowerment in the community. As a co-founder of LOCUS, she provides a platform for authentic community building and leadership for people of color and Indigenous peoples in Minnesota. She also coaches competitive cheerleading, empowering girls by building confidence through team building and performance opportunities in grades K-12 for the last 17 years.
Credentials
Education
- Mitchell Hamline School of Law, J.D. (2018)
- University of St. Thomas, Bachelor of Arts in Political Science, Minors in Philosophy and Legal Studies (2009)
Selected Results
Representative Matters
$10.5 Million Aerosol Dust Remover Abuse Verdict - McDougall v. CRC Industries, Inc. et al. (2024)
Part of the trial team that helped secure a landmark $7.75 million verdict against CRC Industries for its failure to prevent the foreseeable misuse of its aerosol dust remover products. The total judgment increased to almost $10.5 million after the court granted a post-trial motion for pre- and post-verdict prejudgment interest and costs. The verdict follows the 2019 death of Cynthia McDougall, who was killed in a vehicle crash after an individual who huffed CRC Duster struck her car head-on. This was the first dust remover case of its kind to go to trial.
$7.5 Million Wrongful Death Verdict - Lewis, Valerie o/b/o Lewis, Douglas v. Trifiletti (2023)
Represented the family of Doug Lewis in a wrongful death lawsuit following his fatal shooting by Anthony Trifiletti in St. Paul, MN. Trifiletti shot and killed Mr. Lewis after a minor car accident, claiming self-defense during criminal proceedings, despite no weapons being found on Lewis. Trifiletti was ultimately convicted of second-degree murder and a civil lawsuit was filed on behalf of Lewis' family, resulting in a bench trial verdict awarding over $7.5 million in damages, including $2.5 million in punitive damages.
$650,000 Wrongful Death Settlement (2024)
Obtained a wrongful death settlement with multiple defendants totaling $650,000, where the plaintiffs alleged the health care and service providers failed to provide appropriate mental health care and treatment.
$210,000 Defamation Verdict – Sellers v. Powell (2019)
Represented Minneapolis choreographer April Sellers who was targeted in a series of defamatory “Open Letters” and other communications attacking her reputation. Serving as an associate on the case, Rashanda assisted with all aspects of trial preparation prior to the case’s favorable verdict totaling $210,000, which included $75,000 in punitive damages. This result was prior to joining Robins Kaplan LLP.
Recognition
- Recognized as a "Diverse Lawyer Making a Difference," Profiles in Diversity Journal (2024)
- Named to the Lawdragon 500 X – The Next Generation (2024)
- Listed in The Best Lawyers in America: Ones to Watch (2024-2025 editions)
- Named an “Up & Coming Attorney,“ Minnesota Lawyer (2023)
- Named a "Minnesota Rising Star," Super Lawyers (2023-2024)
- Named to "Top Lawyers List," Minnesota Monthly (2023-2024)
- American Association for Justice's Diversity and Inclusion Leadership Academy (2023-2024)
- Nominated for “Outstanding Young Lawyer Award,” National Bar Association Women Lawyers Division (2023)
Community
Civic
- Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Greater Twin Cities Area (2009-2011)
- Child Protection Clinic (2017-2018)
- Everybody Wins, Reading Volunteer (2011-2014)
- Innocence Clinic (2017-2018)
- Independent School District 191, Cheerleading Coach (2006-2010)
- Independent School District 196, Apple Valley Elementary & Middle School Program Director, Cheerleading Coach (2011-2022)
- Leaders of Today and Tomorrow, Board Member (2010-2014), Advisory Board Co-Chair (2011-2013), Secretary (2013)
- League of Women Voters of Minnesota, Board of Directors (2011-2013)
- LOCUS, Co-Founder, Leadership Team Member (2014-Present)
- Minneapolis Public Schools Community Education, Youth Cheerleading Instructor (2016)
- Somerset School District, Cheerleading Coach (2022-Present)
- Volunteer Lawyers Network, Conciliation Court Volunteer (2019)
- Volunteer Lawyers Network, Housing Court Volunteer (2018-2019, 2021-Present)
Professional
- American Association for Justice, Leadership Academy (2024)
- Books for Africa, Advisory Board (2024-Present)
- Diverse Attorney Pipeline Program, Associate Board (2020-2022)
- Federal Bar Association
- Hennepin County Bar Association, Finance & Planning Committee (2020-2021), Board of Directors (2022-Present)
- Leadership Council on Legal Diversity, Pathfinder (2022)
- Minnesota Association for Justice
- Minnesota Association of Black Lawyers, Board of Directors (2023-Present), Membership Committee Chair (2023-Present)
- Minnesota State Bar Association
- Minnesota Women Lawyers
- National Bar Association
- Twin Cities Diversity in Practice, Emerging Leaders Group (2018-2020), Outreach Committee (2020-Present)
- Warren E. Burger Inn of Court (2019-Present), Executive Committee (2020-Present), Program Chair (2021-Present), Ad Hoc Committee (2022-Present), Co-Treasurer (2023-Present)
News & Insights
In the News
Legal Insights
Speeches
- Financial Literacy for Associates
Minnesota Association for Justice’s Women Trial Lawyers Conference, Nisswa, Minnesota (November 7, 2024) - A Conversation on the Multicultural Attorney Experience
Hennepin County Bar Association 2023 Race & Equity CLE, Webinar (May 22, 2023) - Salary Survey
Minnesota Association for Justice’s Women Trial Lawyers Conference, Nisswa, Minnesota (November 3, 2023) - Defamation on Social Media - April Sellers v. Kevin Powell and Jinah Parker
Minnesota CLE, Minneapolis, Minnesota (March 22, 2019)
Media Mentions
- “Lawsuit Against Sartell Mobile Home Park Alleges Sewer Backups, Deceptive Practices,” MPR News (October 24, 2024)
- “Sartell Mobile Home Park Residents File complaint Against Owners,” St. Cloud Live (October 24, 2024)
- "Lawsuit Settled After Murder Victim’s Parents Say Ramsey County, Others Didn’t Properly Supervise Boyfriend," Pioneer Press (September 17, 2024)
- "Up & Coming Attorneys, Unsung Legal Heroes Announced," Minnesota Lawyer (July 24, 2023)
- "The Recent Recruits of Robins Kaplan LLP: The Future (of Law) is Female," Attorney at Law Magazine (May 8, 2023)
- "Hennepin Lawyer: 10 Questions with Rashanda Bruce," Minnesota State Bar Association (April 11, 2023)
Practices
Admissions
- Minnesota
- U.S. District Court, District of Minnesota
