Allison M. Lange Garrison

Attorney

Allison, a shareholder, is an experienced litigator and trial attorney who focuses her practice on representing manufacturers and businesses in commercial disputes, product liability defense, and complex tort litigation. A skilled writer and researcher, Allison receives high praise from clients and members of the judicial bench for her ability to grasp and translate complex subject matter for the layperson and to produce clear, organized, and persuasive arguments. Comfortable in the courtroom, she understands the value of readiness and goes the extra mile to ensure that she and her clients are well prepared during every stage of litigation.

Product Liability and Toxic Exposure Defense

Allison represents manufacturers and businesses in product liability claims, including matters related to chemical and other substances deemed toxic such as PFAS or “forever chemicals.” She provides proactive counsel and advice to companies looking to maximize regulatory compliance and minimize litigation risk by monitoring and reporting of regulatory developments, assisting with reporting requirements, evaluating marketing messages for potential exposure, and investigating risk before claims take hold. Allison also defends clients when claims are brought forward. By working thoroughly and strategically, she seeks to minimize exposure and develop solutions that foster business continuity. Allison is a smart and persistent advocate for her clients throughout the life cycle of their businesses.

Complex Commercial Disputes

Allison represents organizations in commercial disputes and litigation in a wide range of matters, including complex contract disputes and lender-borrower disputes. Allison is particularly motivated to serve life sciences and healthcare organizations, and in that capacity, she has demonstrated experience in federal False Claims Act matters (both qui tam and whistleblower retaliation matters), healthcare joint venture disputes, and healthcare subrogation claims. Allison is keenly aware of the disruptive nature of disputes on a business’s operations and reputation. She rejects a “one size fits all” approach to commercial litigation; instead, Allison crafts creative and business-focused solutions to her clients’ disputes that best serve their risk profile, relationships, and market presence.

Away from the office, Allison enjoys spending time outdoors with her husband and two sons.

Clerkships

Judicial clerk, Hon. Matthew E. Johnson, Minnesota Court of Appeals

Judicial extern, Hon. Diana E. Murphy, Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals

Key Practice Experience

Product liability defense
Complex torts
Health care litigation
Commercial disputes
Medical device and pharmaceutical litigation

Key Industry Experience

Health care
Life sciences
Manufacturing

Representative Matters

Toxic Exposure

Advising consumer products manufacturers on PFAS regulatory compliance and litigation risk mitigation strategies.
Defended an appliance manufacturer against a claim of long-term, low-level toxic exposure to carbon monoxide brought by eight grocery-store employees demanding nine figures in damages. Detailed fact discovery, highly technical expert discovery, and persuasive development of trial themes ultimately led to a favorable resolution shortly before trial.
Defended a chemical manufacturer in litigation over 1,4-dioxane contamination of drinking water.

Healthcare Litigation

Represents health insurer in extensive investigation and litigation against third-party vendor over fraudulent and unlawful billing practices.
Represents home and community-based service providers in appeals to the Minnesota Department of Human Services.
Advises health insurer on billing / recoupment disputes with providers.
Represented hospital system in federal False Claims Act matter brought by qui tam plaintiff alleging submission of fraudulent claims for in-patient care and patient medication.
Represented mental healthcare provider in federal False Claims Act retaliation matter brought by former employee alleging billing coding violations.
Represents health plan in resolving subrogation claims.
Represented healthcare system in complex contract dispute with joint-venture partner.
Additionally, during the COVID-19 pandemic, Allison advised life sciences organizations and pharmacy chains on preemption and immunity under the federal PREP Act.

Complex Commercial Litigation

Advises and represents businesses in complex contract, business-tort, and intellectual-property disputes.
Prevailed at jury trial and won a seven-figure damages award on behalf of a logistics company in a contract dispute over sale of business assets. Successfully defeated the defendants’ counterclaim for fraud in the inducement, at summary judgment.
Represents lenders in disputes with in-default borrowers and their personal guarantors.

Publications and Presentations

Frequent speaker on PFAS regulatory and litigation developments
Author, “Forever Litigation over ‘Forever Chemicals: PFAS Litigation of the Past, Present, and Future,” Minnesota Defense Magazine, Spring 2025
Author, “10 Things Manufacturers Should Know About PFAS in Their Products.” NJL Top Story, February 2024
Author, “PFAS – ‘Forever Chemicals’ – Regulatory and Litigation Developments for Product Manufacturers.” NJL Top Story, January 2024
Moderator, FDA Forum, “Current Developments in Litigation and Regulatory Topics,” Minnesota State Bar Association, April 2023
Author, “Gas Appliance Manufacturers: Limit Your Exposure to Potential Litigation,” Nilan Johnson Lewis top story, March 2023
Moderator, “DEI: Health Equity for Women,” Minnesota State Bar Association, June 2022
Panelist, “ESG Is Here – Are You Ready? Environmental, Social, and Governance Trends,” Association of Corporate Counsel Minnesota Chapter, June 2021
Speaker, “Elusive Immunity: Litigating the PREP Act in the Post-COVID World.” Minnesota State Bar Association, June 2021
Moderator, FDA Forum Drug and Device Panel, “Current Developments in Litigation and Regulatory Topics,” Minnesota State Bar Association, May 2021
Panelist, “Pharma Delivers: Now What?”, Life Sciences and Healthcare Spring Webinar Series, March 2021