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NJL People: Courtney E. Ward-Reichard

Courtney E. Ward-Reichard

Knowledge Management & Information Research Counsel

Courtney brings value to every step of the litigation process. She thrives on digging into the facts of a case, investigating claims through witness interviews and document analysis, and then translating that data into a coherent story for trial. She also uses these skills as knowledge management and information research counsel for the firm.

Courtney’s clients describe her as efficient, organized, level-headed, and always having their best interests in mind. She is responsive and an excellent team leader and has been a key player on many national-level trial teams. She is licensed to practice in Minnesota, North Dakota, and Wisconsin, and serves clients in all three states.

When not digging into a set of facts, you can find Courtney supporting her two daughters in their many activities, especially marching band, music, and theater. Courtney is passionate about education and has devoted time to several non-profit organizations over the course of her career, including the Minnesota Urban Debate League, the MCPASD Education Foundation, the Middleton Good Neighbor Festival, and the Middleton Public Library.

Key Practice Experience

Key Industry Experience

  • Manufacturing
  • Financial Services

Representative Matters

  • Internal investigations
  • Asbestos personal injury
  • Nationwide Fair Labor Standards Act class Action litigation
  • Nationwide lead paint cases: Rhode Island, Wisconsin, California, New York, Missouri, Ohio
  • National coordinating counsel, trace benzene cases
  • Nationwide race discrimination class action litigation

Recognitions and Honors

  • North Star Lawyer, Minnesota State Bar Association
  • Martindale-Hubbell® AV-Rated Preeminent
  • Rising Star in the Legal Profession, Minnesota Law & Politics

Publications and Presentations

  • Client Presentation, Sexual Harassment: Legal Updates and Developments, April 27, 2023
  • Editor’s Note: Personal Relationships Create Marketing Opportunities – No Matter the Channel, Law Practice, March/April 2023
  • Editor’s Note: ABA TECHSHOW Is the Answer, Law Practice, January/February 2023
  • ABA Presentation, Women of Legal Tech: Top Ten Takeaways, March 23, 2022
  • Minnesota CLE, Hospitality and COVID-19: Mitigating Health and Legal Risks, January 19, 2021
  • Minnesota CLE, BYOD: Smart Policies for “Bring Your Own Device” to the Workplace, August 12, 2020
  • Hospitality and COVID-19: Mitigating Health and Legal Risks, Hospitality Minnesota, July 2020
  • Business and Commercial Litigation in Federal Courts Book Review, Minnesota Bench & Bar, November 2018
  • Implications of Perez v. Air & Liquid Systems for Post-Daimler Personal Jurisdiction, American Bar Association Mass Torts Litigation Section Newsletter, Spring 2017 (co-authored with Jordon Greenlee)
  • Ethically and Effectively Using LinkedIn, Minnesota CLE, August 2016
  • When Courts of Law and Public Opinion Collide, American Bar Association, June 2016 (moderator)
  • Social Media: Maximizing Return on Your Time and Staying Within Ethical Boundaries, Minnesota CLE, May 2015 (with Laura Toledo)
  • Who’s in the Box? Ethical Considerations in Researching Jurors, Law Practice Magazine, May 2015
  • Social Media as a Sword and Shield in Today’s Litigation Battles, ABA TECHSHOW, April 2015
  • Don’t Get in Over Your Head – Collaboration in E-Discovery Issues, ABA TECHSHOW, April 2015
  • Preparation for Minnesota Federal and State Discovery Conferences: A Practical Approach, William Mitchell Law Review, 2014
  • Jurors in the Age of Google, Minnesota CLE, September 4, 2014
  • Social Media Marketing: A Woman Advocate’s Perspective, ABA Woman Advocate Committee Newsletter, August 29, 2014
  • Bias in the Courtroom: Juror Perceptions of Gender, Hennepin County Bar Association CLE, June 17, 2014
  • You Love It, You Hate It. Now You Have to Live with It: E-Discovery, William Mitchell College of Law CLE, October 4, 2013
  • Social Media in Worker’s Compensation Cases, Wisconsin Bar Association, 37th Annual Worker’s Compensation Update, September 19-20, 2013
  • Twitter Marketing and Networking for Lawyers, ABA Annual Meeting CLE, August 9, 2013
  • Ethical Considerations in the Use of Social Media for Investigations, Fact Gathering, Juror Research and Networking, Wisconsin Practice 411 CLE, November 14, 2012
  • The E-Discovery Meet and Confer Process, Minnesota State Bar Association, November 2, 2012
  • LinkedIn: Best Practices for Marketing Yourself and your Firm, Minnesota Paralegal Association Annual Meeting, May 18, 2013
  • E-Discovery Collaboration Between Clients and Counsel, Minnesota CLE, May 16, 2013
  • Time Management Tips and Techniques, Law Practice Magazine, May/June 2012
  • Editor’s Column, ABA Law Practice Magazine, April/May 2012
  • E-Discovery Collaboration Between Clients and Counsel, ABA Technology for the Litigator Newsletter, Spring 2012
  • Striking the Balance: eDiscovery Collaboration Between Clients and Outside Counsel, CLE Panel Presentation, February 15, 2012
  • Document Retention Policies, Minnesota Women in eDiscovery, August 2011
  • Social Media in Litigation, Academy of Certified Trial Lawyers of Minnesota CLE, May 2011
  • Social Media Workshop, ABA Bar Leadership Institute, March 2011 and March 2012
  • ABA TechShow: Client Collaboration Tools and Website Development, April 2011
  • How Cuts in Court Funding Affect You and Your Clients, Hennepin County Bar Association CLE, November 2010
  • Formaldehyde: The Next Litigation Wheat Field?, Toxics Law Reporter, 2010
  • Denture Cream: Fixodent or Forget It, Class Action Litigation Reporter, October 2009
  • Expanding Your Reach: How to Use Technology to Increase Productivity Outside of the Traditional Office, DRI Webcast, September 22, 2009
  • Using Technology in the Courtroom – How to Be More Effective in Court, Hennepin County Bar Association CLE, April 29, 2009
  • Finding Opportunities to Make a Difference, Minnesota Women Lawyers Journal, Summer 2008
  • Book Review: Business and Commercial Litigation in Federal Courts,Hennepin Lawyer, August 2006
  • The Future of Medical Monitoring Claims in Minnesota, Minnesota Defense, Winter 2002

Professional Associations

  • American Bar Association
    • Law Practice Division
      • Law Practice Magazine Board, 2011-present
      • Legal Project Management Group Chair, 2019-present
      • 2020 Women of Legal Tech Summit Co-Chair
      • Women Rainmakers Committee, Current Chair, member since 2018
    • National Conference of Bar Foundations
      • Board of Trustees, 2008-2016
      • President, 2013-2014
    • Technology for the Litigator Committee Social Media Chair, 2011-2015
    • Mass Torts Committee Co-Chair, 2011-present
  • Hennepin County Bar Association
    • President, 2010-2011
    • Executive Committee Member, 2007-2012
    • Board Member, 2005-2012
  • Hennepin County Bar Foundation
    • President, 2007-2008
    • Board Member, 2004-2012
  • Minnesota State Bar Association
    • Board of Governors Member, 2008-2011
    • Public Services Subcommittee Chair, 2009-2011
  • Wisconsin Bar Association
    • Law Practice Management Committee, 2011-2012
    • Communications Committee, 2011-2012
  • Minnesota Defense Lawyers Association
    • Board Member, 2003-2007
    • Member of Education Task Force, 2008-2010

Community Involvement

  • MCPASD Education Foundation
    • Board Member (2012-present), Chair (2012-2019)
  • Middleton Public Library
    • Board Member (2017-present)
  • Middleton Good Neighbor Festival, Inc.
    • Trustee (2015-present)
  • Minnesota Urban Debate League
    • Advisory Board (2008-2016), Advisory Board President (2009-2011)
  • Wells Foundation, Inc.
    • Vice-President and Member of Board of Directors, 2008-2010
  • Mark’s Episcopal Cathedral
    • Chair of Development Committee
    • Chair of Dickens Dinner fundraising event
    • Co-chair of Capital Campaign
  • Teaching, William Mitchell College of Law, adjunct legal writing professor, 1995-1997
  • Minnesota Chorale
    • Board Member, 1995-2001

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