Our Attorneys

George W. Soule

Biography

George Soule is at home in any courtroom in America. George has tried cases in 18 states, ranging from rural courthouses and tribal courts to big city federal courts.

From small-town Minnesota, George went to Harvard Law School, where he served on the Law Review with now-Chief Justice John Roberts. He returned to Minnesota in 1979 to begin his career as a trial lawyer.

George has tried over fifty cases to verdict involving product liability, commercial and negligence claims. He also has coordinated product liability litigation nationwide, defended mass torts and class actions, and counseled manufacturers on product safety issues. He has written and lectured extensively on product liability, litigation and judicial selection.

His clients include manufacturers of medical devices, farm and industrial equipment, vehicles, and consumer products. He also frequently represents local, national and international businesses in commercial litigation in Minnesota courts. In addition, George serves as a qualified neutral under Rule 114 of the Minnesota General Rules of Practice.

George is a Fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers, an Associate in the American Board of Trial Advocates, and is listed in The Best Lawyers in America (2010). From 1999-2003 under Governor Jesse Ventura, he served as Chair of the Minnesota Commission on Judicial Selection. He is a past President of the Minnesota American Indian Bar Association.

When not defending his clients, he spends time working on political campaigns and enjoys baking chocolate chip cookies.

Education

  • Harvard University Law School, J.D., 1979
    magna cum laude
    Editor, Harvard Law Review, 1978 - 1979
  • Moorhead State University, B.A., 1976
    summa cum laude
    Major:  Economics
    Major:  Political Science

Bar Admissions

  • Minnesota, 1979
  • Wisconsin, 1985

Court Admissions

  • U.S. District Court District of Minnesota, 1980
  • U.S. District Court District of North Dakota, 1989
  • U.S. District Court Eastern District of Wisconsin, 1988
  • U.S. District Court Western District of Wisconsin, 1988

Memberships and Affiliations

American Bar Association, 1979

American Board of Trial Advocates

American College of Trial Lawyers

Defense Research Institute

Hennepin County Bar Association, 1979

Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe Bar Association

Minnesota American Indian Bar Association
President, 2004-2006, Board of Directors, 2003 - 2008

Minnesota Defense Lawyers Association, 1980

Minnesota State Bar Association, 1979
Chair, Civil Litigation Section 1994 - 1995

State Bar of Wisconsin

Distinctions

Honoree, 2010
    The Best Lawyers in America

 

The Burton Award for Legal Achievement, Distinguished Legal Writing Award, 2007

SuperLawyer®, 2001-2011
    Minnesota Super Lawyers Magazine

Minnesota "Attorney of the Year," 2000
   Minnesota Lawyer

Professionalism Award, 1997
    Hennepin County Bar Association

Howard Lysne 1993 Business & Economics Alumni Achievement Award, 1993
    Moorhead State University

Advocates Award, 2003
    Minnesota State Bar Association

Distinguished Alumni, 2005
    Minnesota State University Moorhead

Classes and Seminars Taught

“Preparing for Your Judicial Election Campaign,” Minneapolis, March 24, 2012

"Today's Medical Device and Drug Litigation Environment," Bowman and Brooke Medical Devices and Pharmaceuticals Hot Topics Seminar, Minneapolis, March 3, 2011

"Product Recalls - Preparing, Defending and Preventing," Bowman and Brooke Product Liability Hot Topics Seminar, Minneapolis, November 11, 2010

"Field Campaigns and Best Practices Customer Communications," Product Safety and Compliance Seminar, Association of Equipment Manufacturers, Pittsburgh, April 29, 2009

"Judicial Campaign Conduct and Activities," Judicial Campaign Law and Ethics, Minnesota CLE, St. Paul, July 30, 2008

"Effective Use of Product Warnings in Your Defense" and "What Defense Counsel Should Do to Help Win Your Case," 2008 Annual Product and Safety Liability Conference, Goodden & Ross Seminars & Conferences, Milwaukee, July 25, 2008

"Preparing for Your Judicial Election Campaign," Minneapolis, April 19, 2008

"Loss Control for Product Manufacturers," Minnesota CPCU Seminar, Bloomington, October 11, 2007

"Effective Litigation and Trial Management through National Counsel Programs," 4th Annual Legal Sampler, Association of Corporate Counsel, Minnesota Chapter Legal Sampler, Minneapolis, September 11, 2007

"Judicial Elections," Law Day Forum, St. Paul League of Women Voters, St. Paul, May 1, 2007

"Effective Use of Product Warnings, Instructions and Training Materials in Your Product Defense, plus the "Post-Sale" Duty to Warn," Product Liability Seminar, Association of Equipment Manufacturers, Nashville, April 19, 2007

"Defending a Case Post-Recall or Post-Sale Warning," Defense Research Institute, Product Liability Seminar, February 2007

"Overcoming Mid-Size and Small Firm Challenges," American Conference Institute - 2nd National Forum on Law Firm Diversity, San Francisco, CA, September 26, 2006

"Overview of Election Law and Ethics for Judicial Candidates," Judicial Campaign Law & Ethics, Minnesota Continuing Legal Education, Saint Paul, MN, August 2, 2006

"Partisan Judicial Elections: A Threat to Judicial Independence in Minnesota, Judicial Independence v. Partisan Politics," Minnesota State Bar Association Convention, Brainerd, MN, June 22, 2006

"Economic Loss Doctrine in Minnesota," Minnesota Defense Lawyers Association, Young Lawyers Section, Saint Paul, MN, May 11, 2006

"Defending Your Product After a Post-Sale Warning or Recall,"  Product Liability and Product Safety Council, Manufacturers Alliance / MAPI, Amelia Island, FL, April 21, 2006

"Products Liability Landscape," Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, Instrumentation and Measurements Society, Minneapolis, MN, April 6, 2006

"Partisan Judicial Elections: A Threat to Judicial Independence in Minnesota," Minnesota Commission for the Preservation of an Impartial Judiciary, Minneapolis, MN, March 27, 2006

"The Confirmation of Chief Justice John G. Roberts, Jr.," Warren Burger Inn of Court, Saint Paul, MN, March 15, 2006

"The Future of Minnesota Judicial Elections" Partisan Endorsements and an Independent Judiciary, University of Saint Thomas Law School, Minneapolis, MN, February 25, 2006

"Development of JIG V and Partisan Judicial Elections: A Threat to Judicial Independence," MDLA Mid-Winter Conference, Biwabek, MN, February 11-12, 2006

"Judicial Elections and Chief Justice John Roberts," Amdahl Inn of Court, Minneapolis, MN, January 19, 2006

"Judicial Selection, Judicial Elections and John Roberts," 1666 Coffman (retired University of Minnesota professors), Falcon Heights, MN, January 7, 2006

"Judicial Selection, Judicial Independence, and Chief Justice John Roberts," Otter Tail County Bar Association, Annual Banquet, Battle Lake, MN, November 4, 2005

"General Overview of Products Liability in Minnesota," Bowman and Brooke Hot Topics Seminar, Golden Valley, MN, October 20, 2005

"Quest for the Gavel - How Minnesota Selects Judges (program chair)," Minnesota State Bar Association and minority bar associations, Minneapolis, MN, June 27, 2005

"Diversity Initiatives in the Minnesota Legal Market (panel discussion)," 31st Annual Federal Practice Seminar, Federal Bar Association, Minneapolis, MN, June 14, 2005

"Minnesota Products Liability - Where Are We Today?" Products Liability 2005, Clarion Legal, Minneapolis, MN, April 28, 2005

"Products Liability Law and Practice," Northwestern Lumber Association, Bloomington, MN, February 25, 2005

"Minnesota Jury Instruction Guide, 5th Edition - Proposed Revisions," Minnesota Defense Lawyers Association Mid Winter Conference, Alexandria, MN, February 5, 2005

"Developments in Minnesota Products Liability Law," Products Liability Committee, Minnesota Defense Lawyers Association, Minneapolis, MN, September 15, 2004

"2004 Judicial Elections in Minnesota," Minnesota District Judges Association Fall Conference, Brainerd, MN, September 9, 2004

"Preparing for Your Judicial Election Campaign," Minneapolis, MN, May 22, 2004

"Motor Vehicle Design and Safety," Transportation Law Seminar, ACE USA, LaFayette Hill, PA, April 16, 2004

"Judicial Election Campaigns: What You Can and Can't Say," Minnesota District Judges Association Annual Meeting, Minneapolis, MN, December 5, 2003

"Do You Have What It Takes? Advice on Becoming a Partner," New Lawyers Nuts & Bolts, Hennepin County Bar Association, Minneapolis, MN, December 4, 2003

"Products Liability Developments, The Very Best in Complex Litigation," Minnesota State Bar Association Continuing Legal Education, Minneapolis, MN, August 7, 2003

"The Impact of the Budget Crisis on the Minnesota Courts (panel discussion)," Minnesota State Bar Association Annual Meeting, Civil Litigation Section, Minneapolis, MN, April 9, 2003

"Trials and Tribulations - Product Risk and Liability Prevention Lessons," Product Safety & Liability Seminar, The Saint Paul Companies, Saint Paul, MN, September 24, 2002

"Impact of 'Free Speech' on Judicial Campaigns, Update," Minnesota Center for Community Legal Education, Saint Paul, MN, August 14, 2002

"A Trial Lawyer's Wish List," Minnesota Judicial College, Bloomington, MN, May 9, 2002

"The Judicial System and the Asian American Community (panel discussion)," The Policy Roundtable, Alliance on Asian Minnesota Policy Issues, Saint Paul, MN, March 12, 2002

"The Trial of Products Liability Cases in Minnesota," Tort Law Update (Course Chair), Minnesota Institute of Legal Education, Minneapolis, MN, February 22, 2002

"The Minnesota Perspective (panel discussion), Selecting Judges in Minnesota," Minnesota State Bar Association, Minneapolis, MN, December 3, 2001

"So You Want to be a Judge," Appellate Practice Committee, Minnesota State Bar Association, Saint Paul, MN, June 21, 2001

"Accident Reconstruction Issues in Crashworthiness Cases, Auto Accident Reconstruction," Minnesota Institute of Legal Education, Brooklyn Center, MN, May 10, 2001

"A Trial Lawyer's Wish List," Minnesota Judicial College, Bloomington, MN, May 8, 2001

"A Practicum on the Four Corners of Expert Exclusion: Daubert/Joiner/Kumho Tire, and now, Weisgram," Defense Research Institute, Inc., Product Liability Conference, Las Vegas, NV, February 23, 2001

"Removal as a Right: Should it be Abolished?" Minnesota State Bar Association Civil Litigation Section Annual Meeting, Minneapolis, MN, April 12, 2000

"The History of Minnesota Products Liability Law," Minnesota Institute of Legal Education, Products Liability -- Minnesota Law and Practice, March 31, 2000

"Judicial Selection in Minnesota, Meet Our Policy Makers Series, Judicial Issues," The Policy Roundtable, Pan Asian Alliance on Policy Issues, Saint Paul, MN, December 3, 1999

"Post-Trial Motions, Winning by Motions," Minnesota Continuing Legal Education, November 12, 1999

"Preparing for Trial--From Design Concept to Verdict," Equipment Manufacturers Institute, 10th Annual Product Safety Seminar, October 27-28, 1999

"Minnesota Commission on Judicial Selection, So You Want to be a Judge," Minnesota Women Lawyers, Saint Paul, MN, September 24, 1999

"Preparing for Trial - From Design Concept to Verdict, Increase Safety - Reduce Product Liability II," Construction Industry Manufacturers Association, Milwaukee, WI, August 9, 1999

"What is Admissible Evidence in a Lost Profits Case? Recovery of Damages for Lost Profits," Minnesota Continuing Legal Education, November 20, 1998

"Reducing Exposure to Liability in the Production and Design of Equipment," NPES Product Safety Conference, Chicago, IL, November 18, 1998

"Defending Damages in a Catastrophic Injury Case; Brain and Spinal Cord Injuries," Minnesota Institute of Legal Education, Minneapolis, MN, September 15, 1998

"Opening Statement" and "The Care and Feeding of Products Experts", National Practice Institute, The 16th Annual Conference on Products Liability Law, Chicago, IL, May 29, 1998

Representative Clients

International Truck and Engine Corporation

Medtronic, Inc.

Vermeer Manufacturing Company

Wagner Spray Tech Corporation

Representative Cases

CASE RESULTS DEPEND UPON A VARIETY OF FACTORS UNIQUE TO EACH CASE.
CASE RESULTS DO NOT GUARANTEE OR PREDICT A SIMILAR RESULT IN ANY FUTURE CASE. 


Republican Party of Minnesota v. Tom Horner, et al., Office of Administrative Hearings, MN (July 2010) 

In re Medtronic, Inc. Sprint Fidelis Leads Prods. Liab. Litig., 592 F. Supp. 2d 1147 (D. Minn. 2009)

Doyle v. Graske, Federal Court, NE (April 2008)

Braaten v. International Truck and Engine Corporation, Pennington County, MN (Dec. 2007)

Sander v. International Truck and Engine Corporation, Hennepin County, MN (Nov. 2004)

Steinke v. Hyundai Motor Company, Eau Claire County, WI (July 2004)

Barrington Church v. Wagner Spray Tech Corporation, Cook County, IL (March 2004)

Ford v. Polaris Industries Inc., Napa County, CA (Feb. 2004)

Olson v. Vermeer Manufacturing Company, Milwaukee County, WI (July 2003)

Guzzo-Crocamo v. Vermeer Manufacturing Company, Westchester County, NY (June 2003)

Horan v. Polaris Industries Inc., Oneida County, WI (Jan. 2003)

Great Northern Ins. Co. v. Volvo Trucks North America, Inc., Federal Court, MN (Dec. 2002)

Valastro v. Polaris Industries Inc., Washington County, NY (Sept. 2002)

Tittle v. Polaris Industries Inc., Garfield County, CO (June 2002)

Powell v. Polaris Industries Inc., Erie County, NY (June 2001)

Lange v. Wellcraft Marine Corp., Palm Beach County, FL (Feb. 2001)

Koronis Parts, Inc. v. MasterCraft Boat Company, Stearns County, MN (May 2000)

Castro v. Polaris Industries Inc., Cumberland County, NJ (Dec. 1999)

Johnson v. Polaris Industries Inc., Federal Court, NE (Aug. 1999)

Pagan v. Clark Material Handling Company, Delaware County, PA (June 1999)

Lewis v. Clark Material Handling Company, Hamilton County, OH (May 1999)

Shapley v. Clark Material Handling Company, Maricopa County, AZ (March 1999)

Roberson v. Clark Material Handling Company, Harris County, TX (May 1998)

Allstate Insurance Company v. Wagner Spray Tech Corporation, Waukesha County, WI (Dec. 1997)

Caterpillar, Inc. v. Vermeer Manufacturing Company, Cook County, IL (Aug. 1997)

Zitzka v. Clark Material Handling Company, Cook County, IL (Aug. 1997)

Tracy A. Marshall, Appellant-Plaintiff v. Clark Equipment Company and Clark Lift Corporation of Indiana, Appellees-Defendants, Court of Appeals of Indiana (1997)

Emmerich v. Honda Motor Co., Ltd., Taylor County, WI (July 1996)

Hines v. Vermeer Manufacturing Company, Dakota County, MN (March 1996)

Roou v. Outboard Marine Corporation, Eau Claire County, WI (Nov. 1995)

Stanley v. Clark Material Handling Company, Fayette County, KY (Aug. 1995)

Marshall v. Clark Material Handling Company, Tippecanoe County, IN (June 1995)

Peters v. Clark Equipment Company, Hennepin County, MN (March 1995)

Johnson v. Clark Material Handling Company, Federal Court, WI (Oct. 1994)

Anderson v. American Augers, Polk County, WI (Sept. 1994)

Shores v. Komatsu, Ltd., Federal Court, MN (Aug. 1994)

Mohn v. Navistar International Transportation Corp., Goodhue County, MN (July 1994)

Austin Mutual Insurance Co. v. Wagner Spray Tech Corporation, Steele County, MN (June 1994)

Luckman v. Hutchinson Wil-Rich Manufacturing Co., Niagara County, NY (March 1994)

Ramstad v. Hutchinson Wil-Rich Manufacturing Co., Federal Court, MN (March 1993)

Hanken v. North Star International Trucks, Inc., Dakota County, MN (Dec. 1992)

Lewis v. General Motors Corporation, Federal Court, PA (April 1992)

Neva v. Hutchinson Wil-Rich Manufacturing Co., Richland County, ND (March 1992)

Hartman Associates v. Peer Group, Inc., Federal Court, MN (March 1991)

Luoma v. General Motors Corporation, Price County, WI (Oct. 1990)

Huseboe v. American Honda Motor Co., Inc., Trempeauleau County, WI (Oct. 1990)

Gunderson v. Easco Hand Tools, Inc., Federal Court, MN (Sept. 1990)

Michurski v. Clark Equipment Company, Hennepin County, MN (May 1990)

Lieser v. Navistar International Transportation Corp., Hennepin County, MN (April 1990)

Saltzman v. Wagner Spray Tech Corporation, Denver County, CO (Nov. 1989)

Mikulay v. The Dial Corporation, Dakota County, MN (April 1989)

Bertram v. Hutchinson Wil-Rich Manufacturing Company, Traverse County, MN (Sept. 1988)

Country Inn v. Eaton Corporation, Ramsey County, MN (Jan. 1988)

Schorn v. Greyhound Lines, Federal Court, MN (June 1987)

Lorentz v. International Harvester Company, Nicollet County, MN (April 1987)

Grunwald v. Clark Equipment Company, Waseca County, MN (Feb. 1987)

Klampe v. Clark Equipment Company, Waseca County, MN (Oct. 1986)

Nelson v. International Harvester Corp., 394 N.W.2d 578 (Minn.App. 1986)

Wright v. International Harvester Company, Federal Court, MN (May 1985)

Wilken v. International Harvester Co., 363 N.W.2d 763 (Minn. 1985)

Rients v. International Harvester Co., 346 N.W.2d 359 (Minn.App. 1984)

Wilken v. International Harvester Co., 701 F.2d 730 (C.A.8 (Minn.) 1983)

Brunner v. Bishman Division Lear Siegler, Inc., Ramsey County, MN (Oct. 1982)

Boston Homes v. Schumacher Mortgage Company, Hennepin County, MN (Oct. 1982)

Janssen v. International Harvester Company, Isanti County, MN (June 1982)

Published Works

"Advice for Dayton, Judicial Selection Commission," Commentary, Minnesota Lawyer, April 18, 2011

"Judicial Elections 2010: Minnesotans Stay the Course," Bench & Bar of Minnesota, January 2011

Chapter: "Post-Sale Responsibilities in the United States and Foreign Countries" (with Kenneth Ross), Product Liability Litigation: Current Law, Strategies and Best Practices (Stephanie A. Scharf et al.), Practicing Law Institute, October, 2009

"Minnesota's 2008 Judicial Elections: Calm Before the Storm?" The Hennepin Lawyer, p. 4, January 2009

"Stop the Partisan Politics," The National Law Journal, July 21, 2008

"Judicial Elections in Minnesota: Past, Present, and Future," The Hennepin Lawyer, p.7, January, 2007

Campaign Handbook for Minnesota Judicial Elections, 2006

"Post-Sale Duties: A Minefield for Manufacturers" (Co-author), Defense Research Institute - In-House Defense Quarterly, p.20, Fall, 2006

"Protecting an Independent and Qualified Judiciary," Bench and Bar, April, 2005

"Minnesota Products Liability Law 1992-2003," Minnesota Defense, Spring and Winter, 2004

"Judicial Appointments and Elections: Reaching for the Robe" (Co-author), For the Record - 150 Years of Law & Lawyers in Minnesota, Minnesota State Bar Association, 1999

"The Selection and Preparation of Product Liability Experts," West Products Liability Advisory, July, 1998

"Failure to Warn in Minnesota, the New Restatement on Products Liability, and the Application of the Reasonable Care Standard" (Co-author), 21 William Mitchell Law Review 389, 1995

"Minnesota Products Liability Law: 1986-1992" (Co-author), Minnesota Defense, p. 10, Summer, 1992

"Returning Negligence Principles to the Trial of Failure to Warn Claims in Minnesota," Minnesota Defense, p. 2, Spring, 1988

"Recent Developments in Minnesota Products Liability Law" (Co-author), Minnesota Defense, p. 2, Winter, 1986

Additional Activities

Pro Bono Activities: Legal Aid Society of Minneapolis, 1991 - Present