William M. "Bill" Hart

Bill is full-time Managing Partner and chair of the firm's Management Committee. He focuses his practice on appellate law, with an emphasis on appeals of insurance coverage and general litigation matters. He has handled close to 400 appeals in Minnesota courts, as well as in the state and federal appeals courts across the country.

Because of his reputation in the area of appellate law, Bill is regularly selected by his peers to the Minnesota Super Lawyers® list. He is also a Leading Attorney in a statewide survey conducted by American Research Corporation.

Many of the cases I handle on appeal are cases that the firm handled at the trial court level. Unlike many other law firms, we are able to offer our clients in-house continuity of expertise, from discovery and trial through appeal, for their important cases.

Bill is also sought out to handle the appeal of cases that were originally tried by another law firm. He also consults with outside trial counsel and represents civic, business, and trade groups by writing and filing amicus curiae briefs. For many years, he has served as the chair of the Minnesota Defense Lawyers Association amicus curiae committee.

Bill is a frequent lecturer on appellate practice and procedure. He teaches appellate advocacy at the University of St. Thomas School of Law, where he is also a mentor. He has contributed to leading legal publications, including Black's Law Dictionary and the Minnesota Civil Jury Instruction Guides.

Bill sits on the board of the Minnesota Supreme Court Historical Society, as well as the board of the Minnesota Loan Repayment Assistance Program - a non-profit organization that helps make it possible for competent legal counsel to represent low-income and disadvantaged populations.

Outside the office, Bill is a big fan of the Minnesota Twins baseball team. Along with a colleague, he filed an amicus curiae brief in the case that kept the Twins in Minnesota. He enjoys professional basketball, and sits on the appeals committee of the Minnesota Youth Soccer Association. He has also been a troop and expedition leader for the Boy Scouts of America.