Chairman Michael V. Ciresi Named to List of '100 Most Influential Lawyers in America'
Jun 2006
Minneapolis (June 2006) – Robins, Kaplan, Miller & Ciresi L.L.P. is pleased to announce that Chairman Michael V. Ciresi has been named by the National Law Journal to the list of ‘100 Most Influential Lawyers in America.’ This marks his third appearance on the list—he was also honored in 1997 and 2000.
Ciresi is Chairman of the firm’s Executive Board and one of the nation’s most celebrated trial lawyers. Known worldwide for his work on mass torts, he recently recovered more than $40 million for TriStrata Technology Inc. in a patent infringement case against Mary Kay Inc. over anti-aging skin technology. The National Law Journal ranked the TriStrata case as the 64th largest jury verdict of 2005. But, Ciresi is perhaps best known for representing the state of Minnesota and Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota against the tobacco industry, which led to a $6.5 billion settlement and the release of millions of pages of industry documents. Ciresi went on to use $30 million from that recovery to establish the Robins, Kaplan, Miller & Ciresi L.L.P. Foundation for Education, Public Health and Social Justice. The Foundation has already donated more than $7 million in grants since 1999. In addition to this monumental win and recovery, Ciresi was chief counsel to the Indian government against Union Carbide Corp. in the Bhopal disaster and he also just obtained a dismissal of a potential class action against Estee Lauder, which was venued in Federal District Court in Miami.
According to the National Law Journal, “We reviewed piles of nominations from readers and conducted our own research, looking for attorneys outside the government with the clout to make big things happen. We were looking for lawyers who had a national impact in their fields and beyond, especially over the past five years-lawyers who have the power to shape public affairs, launch industries, shake things up and get things done. Simply holding a high office or position of authority was not enough, and judges and non-practicing lawyers were not eligible.”
“I am extremely honored to be included among the 100 Most Influential Attorneys in America. Inclusion in this list is recognition not only of my work, but the work of all of our attorneys and support staff,” said Ciresi.
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