Overview
Franchise & Distribution Litigation
Kerry represents franchisors and manufacturers in litigation, arbitration and mediation. She represents companies across various industries, including food and beverage, retail, leisure and fitness, health care, hospitality, and commercial and consumer services. Her experience spans disputes relating to claims of violation of state franchise or dealership laws, trademark infringement, breach of contract, system-standards enforcement, consumer class actions, post-termination rights, disclosure and registration issues, fraud claims, vicarious liability, independent contractor misclassification, and joint employment issues.
Trade Secret Litigation & Counsel
Kerry handles trade secret cases that relate to non-disclosure agreements, restrictive covenants, licensing disputes and corporate espionage claims. She helps companies protect their valuable trade secrets and defend against allegations of misappropriation. She has extensive experience advising clients on trade secret protection programs, clean rooms and reverse engineering projects, as well as training employees on confidentiality best practices. She is the co-editor and contributing author of the acclaimed book, The Secrets to Winning Trade Secret Cases, Thomson West (2009, 2012 and 2016).
Services & Industries
Credentials
Bar Admissions
Minnesota
Court Admissions
U.S. Court of Appeals for the First Circuit
U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit
U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit
U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit
U.S. District Court for the Central District of Illinois
U.S. District Court for the District of Colorado
U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan
U.S. District Court for the District of Minnesota
U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois
U.S. District Court for the Western District of Michigan
U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit
U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit
U.S. Immigration Court
U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit
Education
Colorado State University
B.A. magna cum laude, Phi Beta Kappa
Northwestern University Pritzker School of Law
J.D. Dean's List, Journal of International Law and Business (editor-in-chief)
Insights & Events
Latest
Insights
Events
Upcoming Events
Past Events
News
Other Perspectives
- Trade Secrets 2018-19: Key Developments and Takeaways
Co-author, The IP Book, Minnesota CLE, September 2019 - The Secrets to Winning Trade Secret Cases
Co-editor and contributing author, Thomson West, 2009, 2012 & 2016 - The Intangible Advantage: Understanding Intellectual Property in the New Economy
Co-author with David Kline, Randy Kahnke, Robert Krupka, David Kappos, Paul Michel, Phillip Kim, Mayra Lombera, Marisa Moosekian and Gary Michelson, Michelson 20MM Foundation, 2016 - The Continual Threat of Vicarious Liability: Analyzing and Managing the Risk
International Franchise Association Legal Symposium, Washington D.C., May 2013
Leadership & Community
Civic Activities
- Advocates for Human Rights — Board of Directors
- Courage Alpine Skiers — Former Board Member
- Greater Minneapolis Crisis Nursery — Former Board Member
Firm Leadership
- Board Member
Honors
- Chambers USA — Nationwide, Franchising, 2009-22
- Franchise Times — Legal Eagles Hall of Fame, 2017; Franchise Legal Eagle, 2008-19; 2022
- Best Lawyers® — Franchise Law, 2008-15, 2017, 2020-22 (Lawyer of the Year, 2022)
- Faegre Drinker — Pro Bono Honor Roll, 2020
- Benchmark Litigation — Future Star, General Commercial Litigation, International Arbitration, 2020
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Who's Who Legal — Franchise, 2018-19
- Minnesota Super Lawyers — Franchise/Dealership, 2014-15, Business Litigation, 2016-19
- Faegre Baker Daniels — Baker Benson Pro Bono Award, 2016; Pro Bono Honor Roll, 2014-15, 2018-19
- Minnesota Lawyer — Attorney of the Year, 2014
- Minneapolis / St. Paul Business Journal — Forty Under 40
- Minnesota Rising Stars — Franchise/Dealership, 2008 and 2011
- Minnesota Lawyer — Up & Coming Attorney, 2001