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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 she 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’s practice is focused on complex insurance and reinsurance disputes, representing insurers in a wide range of coverage matters. 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 handled comprehensive general liability coverage disputes involving long-tail asbestos claims – often in connection with complex actions brought against multiple insurers by insureds seeking coverage for tens of thousands of underlying bodily injury claims.
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 was also heavily involved in the indirect purchaser antitrust lawsuit against Microsoft Corporation in Des Moines, Iowa, which settled in February 2007 after three months of trial for $180 million. She was also involved in another consumer class action against Microsoft in Wisconsin, which settled in 2007 for $224 million.
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
"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
