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Practice Areas
Education
- University of Minnesota Law School, J.D., cum laude, 2005
- University of Minnesota, B.A. Geography, summa cum laude, 1999
Bar and Court Admissions
- State Court: Minnesota
- Federal Court: Minnesota
Elizabeth Kniffen
Liz is an associate in the firm's Minneapolis office where her practice is focused on complex insurance and reinsurance disputes. Liz has handled first-party property coverage disputes in a variety of contexts and has dealt extensively with issues relating to policy interpretation, as well as the application of a wide variety of coverage exclusions and policy endorsements. She has also represented cedents, reinsurers, and retrocessionaires in confidential arbitrations concerning a wide range of matters including rescission, coverage reinstatements, ex gratia payments, claims control, punitive/exemplary damages, and global property/casualty programs.
In addition to her experience with insurance coverage and reinsurance issues, Liz has represented defendants in securities litigation. These securities cases have been document-intensive, and Liz has developed solutions to readily identify and manage key documents.
Liz represents clients in all aspects of litigation in federal and state courts as well as alternative dispute resolution proceedings. She has handled matters in numerous state and federal courts throughout the country including California, Iowa, Minnesota, Nevada, New York and Wisconsin.
Liz is actively involved with Twin Cities Diversity in Practice and serves on its Marketing and Recruiting committees. She is also a member of the Twin Cities Diversity in Practice Young Lawyers Group.
Representative Matters
Allianz Global Risks US Insurance Co. v. MGM Mirage (high value insurance coverage litigation in connection with Hurricane Katrina)
Comes v. Microsoft Corp. (antitrust matter resulting in $180 million settlement)
Articles & Presentations
"Recent Developments in Excess Insurance, Surplus Lines Insurance, and Reinsurance," TIPS Law Journal, March 29, 2013, co-author
"A Short Primer On The Personal Profit Exclusion," Insurance Law360, May 24, 2012, co-author
"The Underwriter’s Role Against Contra Proferentem," Insurance Law360, January 11, 2012, co-author
Professional Affiliations
- American Bar Association
- Hennepin County Bar Association
- Minnesota State Bar Association
- ARIAS
- Minnesota Women Lawyers
- Reinsurance Under 40
Noteworthy
Liz was named a "Rising Star" for 2012 by Minnesota Law & Politics.
