CGreene@GreeneEspel.comDownload vCard
Education
- J.D., Cornell Law School, cum laude (1976); Editor, Cornell International Law Journal
- B.A., Harvard College, Government, cum laude (1973)
Experience
- Popham, Haik, Schnobrich and Kaufman, Ltd., Senior Attorney/Shareholder (1976-1993); Chair, Litigation Department (coordinating 60+ trial attorneys) (1986-1989)
Cliff Greene is one of Minnesota's most respected trial advocates. In 2011 and 2012, Cliff was again named to Minnesota Super Lawyers' "Top Ten" List. Cliff was recently described as "an outstanding trial lawyer who is very well regarded by the federal Bench" in Chambers USA 2011, a leading guide in the legal profession. He was named a “local litigation star” in Benchmark Litigation’s sixth annual edition and an “Eighth Circuit litigation star - Minnesota” in Benchmark Appellate’s inaugural edition.
Cliff represents business clients in commercial litigation and manufacturers in national product liability actions. He regularly defends government agencies and officials in constitutional litigation involving high-profile claims with significant precedent at stake. Cliff mediates and arbitrates commercial disputes, and led the negotiating team that brought Northstar Commuter Rail service to Minnesota in 2009. He has been appointed by three different chief judges of the District of Minnesota to chair the Local Rules Advisory Committee.
A natural teacher, Cliff was honored as the first Distinguished Practitioner in Residence of the William Mitchell College of Law, and lectures to national audiences about trial-related topics. Cliff recently completed a two-year term as president of the Jewish Community Relations Council of Minnesota and the Dakotas. Cliff served on the Board of Trustees of William Mitchell and is a former member of the Minnesota Supreme Court Task Force on Racial Bias in the Judicial System. Cliff has been selected for membership in the International Association of Defense Counsel (IADC) and the American Bar Association Foundation. The Minnesota Cardozo Society has named Cliff the 2013 recipient of the Sidney Barrows Lifetime Commitment Award. The Barrows award is given annually to an attorney or judge who exemplifies excellence in his/her practice, community service in the Jewish and general communities, and lifelong learning.
PROFESSIONAL HIGHLIGHTS & RECOGNITION
- Benchmark Appellate, The Guide to America's Leading Appeals Litigation Firms and Attorneys (First Edition), named Eighth Circuit Litigation Star - Minnesota
- Benchmark Litigation, The Guide to America's Leading Firms and Attorneys (Third, Fourth, Fifth, and Sixth Editions), named Local Litigation Star
- Best Lawyers in America - Commercial Litigation (2010-2013)
- Chambers USA, America's Leading Lawyers for Business-The Client's Guide - leading commercial litigator (2009, 2010, 2011, 2012)
- Recognized as Super Lawyer
“Top Ten” Super Lawyer
(2005, 2011, 2012)
"Top 100" Super Lawyer
(multiple years) - 2001 Award from Minnesota Federal Judges Recognizing 12 Years of Service as Chair of Local Rules Advisory Committee
- Appointed Special Master by federal and state courts.
- Certified Mediator and Arbitrator qualified under State ADR Rule 114 (Civil Roster)
BAR ADMISSIONS
U.S. Supreme Court
Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals
Minnesota Federal District Court
State Bar of Minnesota
PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS
- International Association of Defense Counsel (IADC)
- American Bar Association Foundation, Elected Fellow
- Federal Bar Association
- Federal Practice Committee (Minnesota)
- Federal Local Rules Advisory Committee, District of Minnesota; Chair, (1989-2001)
- Minnesota State Bar Association
Committee on Pro Bono in the Public Sector , Co-Chair (2004-2007)
Section of Litigation; Founding Member
PUBLICATIONS
Various publications on trial and constitutional issues.
TEACHING AND LECTURING
Academic Positions
William Mitchell College of Law
"Distinguished Practitioner in Residence" (Spring1998). Courses taught: Federal Courts and Scientific Evidence
Associate Professor (1981-1982). Courses taught: Torts and Co-Coordinator for Legal Writing Program
Adjunct Professor (2000). Course taught: Litigation in the High-Tech Age
Adjunct Professor (1983-1984). Course taught: Civil Rights
University of Minnesota Law School
Adjunct Professor (Summer Semester 2000). Course taught: The Law of Evidence
Professional Education Group
Programs for national audiences on trial-related topics
Cliff has taught a variety of programs on evidence and trial practice, constitutional law and government litigation, and employment law and litigation.
COMMUNITY LEADERSHIP
- Jewish Community Relations Council of Minnesota
President (2010-Present)
Vice President (2006-2009)
Board Member (2005-Present) - William Mitchell College of Law; Trustee (1997-2006)
- Minneapolis Police Chief Selection Advisory Committee
Member, Appointed by Mayor Sharon Sayles Belton (1995-1996) - ABA Section of Urban, State, and Local Government; Governing Council
Director of Continuing Legal Education (1990-1991) - Minnesota Supreme Court Task Force on Racial Bias in the Judicial System
Chair, Committee on Police-Community Relations (1991-1993) - Minneapolis Legal Aid Society; Board of Directors (1985-87)
- Minneapolis Commission on Civil Rights
Member, Appointed by Mayor Donald Fraser (1982-1985) - Hopkins Minnetonka Recreation and Hopkins Boys’ Traveling Basketball Association
Youth Basketball Coach (1986-1994)