KHibbard@GreeneEspel.comDownload vCard
Education
- J.D., University of St. Thomas School of Law, magna cum laude (2006)
- B.S., Northwestern University (2002)
Experience
- Minnesota Court of Appeals, The Honorable Wilhelmina M. Wright, Law Clerk (2006-2007)
Kathryn Nikolai Hibbard represents business clients in complex litigation, with an emphasis on antitrust, intellectual property, employment, and business tort issues.Kate also guides business clients through government and internal investigations.Kate’s practice also includes the representation of government agencies and officials in litigation and appeals involving high-profile constitutional and financial disputes with significant precedent at stake. Kate is experienced in defending clients involved in class action litigation.
Kate joined Greene Espel in 2007 after clerking for the Honorable Wilhelmina M. Wright of the Minnesota Court of Appeals. Kate graduated from the University of St. Thomas School of Law, magna cum laude, where she currently serves on the Board of Governors and recently served as the President of the Alumni Association Board of Directors. Kate holds a Bachelor of Science degree from Northwestern University.
REPRESENTATIVE CASES
Business Litigation
Representing a client asserting claims for breach of contract, tortious interference, Lanham Act violations, and misappropriation of trade secrets, and defending that client against monopolization and tortious interference counterclaims.
Public Sector Litigation
Represented amicus curiae League of Minnesota Cities in In Re Temporary Funding of Core Functions of the Executive Branch of the State of Minnesota, which involved the 2011 Minnesota government shutdown.
Bridgewater Telephone Co. v. City of Monticello, 765 N.W.2d 905 (Minn. Ct. App. 2009), review denied (Minn. Jun. 16, 2009). Obtained an order dismissing telephone company’s lawsuit alleging that the City’s plans to construct a high-speed Internet/telephone/cable system were unlawful because such a system is not a “utility or other public convenience from which a revenue may be derived,” within the meaning of the relevant Minnesota statutes. The Minnesota Court of Appeals affirmed, and two weeks later, the Minnesota Supreme Court issued an expedited decision denying the telephone company's petition for review of the Minnesota Court of Appeals' decision. Following the supreme court’s denial of review, Greene Espel obtained a $1.5 million settlement in favor of the City of Monticello, based on the surety bond order it had secured from the district court. The surety bond was conditioned for payment to the City of any loss or damage caused to the City or its taxpayers resulting from the pendency of Bridgewater’s lawsuit.
Naser Jewelers, Inc. v. City of Concord, 513 F.3d 27 (1st Cir. 2007). Co-author of amicus brief on behalf of American Planning Association and International Municipal Lawyers Association in a lawsuit involving challenge to the constitutionality of ban on dynamic billboards and electronic message centers.
Class Actions
Defended the City of Fargo in a class action lawsuit venued in federal district court involving claims brought under Section 1983 based on fees related to non-criminal traffic violations.
Defended a client in a class action lawsuit venued in federal district court involving alleged violations of federal and state wage and hours laws, and successfully narrowed the purported class to two individuals.
BAR ADMISSIONS
State Bar of Minnesota
U.S. District Court for the District of Minnesota
First Circuit Court of Appeals
PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS
Federal Bar Association
Hennepin County Bar Association
Minnesota State Bar Association
Minnesota Women Lawyers
Minnesota Defense Lawyers Association
AWARDS AND OTHER RECOGNITION
Presidential Scholarship Recipient
Dean’s List, all semesters
PUBLICATIONS
Beth D. Krueger & Kate N. Hibbard, "Wal-Mart (v. Dukes) Sells Rule 23’s New Roadmap," ABA Antitrust Business Torts & Civil RICO Committee, Vol. 8, Issue 1 (Fall 2011).
“Crisis Management” (Chapter 20), Product Liability Litigation: Current Law, Strategies and Best Practices (Practicing Law Institute 2009).
TEACHING AND LECTURING
Experts for Impact: Presenting Expert Trial Testimony So That It Is Understandable, Interesting, and Persuasive, Minnesota Defense Lawyers Association Trial Techniques Seminar, August 2010.
COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT
University of St. Thomas School of Law, Board of Governors
University of St. Thomas School of Law, Alumni Board of Directors
Executive Committee - 2008-2009, 2011
President – 2010
Member – 2007
University of St. Thomas School of Law
Mentor
Minnesota Women Lawyers
Co-Chair, Member Outreach Committee - 2011-present