News & Updates

Greene Espel PLLP is pleased to announce that attorneys Kate Swenson and Kevin Zhao were named to Minnesota Lawyer’s 2018 “Up & Coming Lawyer” list. Each year, Minnesota Lawyer selects a small group of attorneys who are in their first ten years of practice to be named “Up and Coming.” The award honors attorneys who distinguish themselves through their professional accomplishments, leadership, and service to the community.

Kate guides clients in the public and private sectors through all stages of dispute resolution, including trial and the appellate process. She regularly briefs appeals in federal and state courts, and she has successfully argued before the Eighth Circuit, the Minnesota Court of Appeals, federal and state district courts, and administrative bodies. In six years of private practice, Kate has worked on high-stakes cases and jury trials. Kate also serves as secretary of the Minnesota Justice Foundation, which links volunteer law students with opportunities to meet the needs of the low-income community. She is a member of the MSBA Public Law Section Council and the Minnesota Women Lawyers Community Action & Advocacy Committee.

Kevin represents clients in complex litigation, including multidistrict class actions, cross-border disputes, business arbitrations, and product-liability litigation. His practice also includes advising clients on compliance matters and internal investigations. Kevin is an active member of the bar and community. Kevin was recently appointed to the Merit Selection Panel by Chief Judge John R. Tunheim to advise the U.S. District Court for the District of Minnesota on the selection of a new U.S. Magistrate Judge. Kevin also serves on an advisory board at Mitchell Hamline aimed at increasing the diversity of our legal profession. He is the chair of the firm’s diversity and recruiting committee, and he maintains an active pro bono practice focused on immigration and asylum issues.