“As a co-founder of the firm, Cliff built and maintained a workplace based on excellence, integrity, and a sense of community that is unmatched at any other firm.” (Greene Espel COO, Laura Broomell, CLM)
Cliff retired from Greene Espel in October 2020 after advocating tirelessly for clients of all types and sizes. As one of Minnesota's preeminent trial attorneys, Cliff represented clients in complex business, employment, and product liability actions. He also regularly counseled and defended government agencies and officials in disputes involving high-profile claims and significant precedent.
Drawing on his litigation experience, Cliff was regularly retained to arbitrate or mediate disputes and served federal and state courts as Special Master.
Cliff's advocacy on behalf of clients consistently earned recognition from leading legal publications—including Best Lawyers in America, Chambers, and Benchmark Litigation. In 2018, Best Lawyers elected Cliff as the"2018 Minneapolis Litigation - Labor and Employment Lawyer of the Year." Minnesota Super Lawyers also profiled his achievements in the 2014 cover story, “There’s no I in Greene.”
As a thought leader, Cliff maintained a special focus on federal practice and procedure. He was been appointed by three different chief judges of the District of Minnesota to chair the Local Rules Advisory Committee. In 2016, the Chief Judge appointed Cliff to co-chair the federal magistrate Merit Selection Panel. Cliff also taught federal jurisdiction to law students as Distinguished Practitioner in Residence at Mitchell Hamline School of Law.
Active in civic affairs as well as the legal community, Cliff received the 2013 Sidney Barrows Lifetime Commitment Award from the Minnesota Cardozo Society, given annually to an attorney or judge who exemplifies excellence in his/her practice, community service, and lifelong learning.
Representative Experience
- Exner v. Minneapolis Public Schools, Special School District No. 1, Henn. Cy Dist. Ct. Case No. 27-cv-14-6149 (May 2015). Obtained Directed Verdict in lawsuit involving defamation and Minnesota Government Data Practices Act claims brought by former employee.
- Paul v. Blaylock Robert Van, LLC, et al., Case No. 13-cv-04068, N.D. Ill (2015). Successful defense of whistleblower, discrimination, and wrongful discharge claims filed by a terminated broker against his financial services employer. Lawsuit voluntarily dismissed in exchange for client-defendants’ agreement not to enforce court imposed sanctions.
- Weber v. Minnesota Sch. of Bus., Inc., No. A14-0831, 2014 WL 7011353 (Minn. Ct. App. Dec. 15, 2014). Successfully argued appeal, upholding jury verdict in favor of whistleblower client.
Admissions
- U.S. Supreme Court
- U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit
- U.S. District Court for the District of Minnesota
- State Bar of Minnesota
Professional & Community Affiliations
PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS
- International Association of Defense Counsel (IADC)
- American Bar Association Foundation, Elected Fellow
- Federal Bar Association
COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT
- Mitchell Hamline College of Law: Trustee (2016-current)
- Minnesota Supreme Court Task Force on Racial Bias in the Judicial System
- Chair, Committee on Police-Community Relations (1991-1993)
- Minneapolis Commission on Civil Rights
- Member, Appointed by Mayor Donald Fraser (1982-1985)
- Minneapolis Police Chief Selection Advisory Committee
- Member, Appointed by Mayor Sharon Sayles Belton (1995-1996)
- Jewish Community Relations Council of Minnesota
- President (2010-2012)
- William Mitchell College of Law; Trustee (1997-2006)
- 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
Thought Leadership
ESSAYS
PUBLICATIONS
- Co-author, Kunz, et al. The Process of Legal Research (Little Brown, 1992) (First, Second and Third editions)
- Greene, Clifford M., "9 P’s of Billing" included in chapter of Iijima, Ann L., The Law Student’s Pocket Mentor, From Surviving to Thriving: (Wolters Kluwer Law & Business) (Aspen Publishers)
TEACHING AND LECTURING
A natural teacher, Cliff educates judges, lawyers, law students, and clients regarding evidence and trial practice, constitutional law and government litigation, and employment law and litigation. During his career, Cliff has served as "Distinguished Practitioner in Residence" teaching law students Civil Procedure, Federal Courts, Advanced Scientific Evidence and Civil Rights Law.
He has taught programs for national audiences on trial-related topics as a member.
CONTINUING LEGAL EDUCATION
- Protecting Client Confidences - Asserting and Maintaining the Attorney-Client Privilege, Pressure on the Privilege, Minnesota CLE (September 2019)
- The Long-Awaited Sequel: Quick Draw Litigation, Minnesota CLE (March 2019)
- It Just Got Personal: Major Changes in Personal Jurisdiction Law, Minnesota CLE (March 2019)
- Religion in the Workplace – Duties to Accommodate and the Consequences of Not Doing So, 2018 Upper Midwest Employment Law Institute, Minnesota CLE (May 2018)
- Attorney Client Privilege For Business Attorneys, HCBA Corporate Council Section (March 2018)
- "Two's Company, Three's a Crowd: Privilege and Confidentiality Issues for Lawyers Representing Multiple Parties", Minnesota Continuing Legal Education (May 2017)
- "Attorney Client and Work Product Privilege For In-House Counsel: Distinguishing Between The Business Advisor and Legal Counselor Roles", MNCLE, Upper Midwest Employment Law Institute (May 2017)
- “Stop Me If You've Heard This One: A Rabbi, a Nurse and a Meteorologist Walk Into A Courtroom"...The Effective Presentation of the Expert Testimony Through Storytelling, course co-chair and lecturer, Minnesota Continuing Legal Education (December 2016)
- Protecting the Record: Appellate Considerations For District Court Litigation, Hennepin County Bar Association (September 2016)
- Best Practices for Advocates in Arbitration, Minnesota Continuing Legal Education (July 2016)
- Introduction of Keynoter Wes Moore, and Facilitator for "The Other Wes Moore" book Discussion, International Association of Defense Counsel Annual Meeting (July, 2016)
- Litigating Defamation in High Profile Cases: Proof, Privileges, and the Newsperson's Shield, Employment Law Institute (May 23, 2016)
- A Fire-side Chat with Chief Justice Lorie Gildea, 2016 Appellate Practice Institute, Minnesota Continuing Legal Education (March 2016)
- Presenting a Compelling Case: Is Dr. Morrow Right? 2016 Appellate Practice Institute, Minnesota Continuing Legal Education (March 2016)
- US Supreme Court Land Use Cases, the Key Cases, their Meaning, and the Impact on Your Practice, 2016 Land Use Law and Practice in Minnesota, Minnesota Continuing Legal Education (February 2016)
- Whistleblower and the Retaliation Claims in the Public Sector: Key Steps to Effectively Investigate And if Necessary, Litigating Such Claims, 2016 Land Use Law and Practice in Minnesota, Minnesota Continuing Legal Education (February 2016)
- “We Laughed, We Cried: Crafting Persuasive Fact Statements in Appellate Briefs," Minnesota Appellate Courts’ Continuing Judicial Attorney Education (“The Quill & Bagel Society”) (May 2015)
- Tough Decision Points in High Profile Public Sector Cases,” Upper Midwest Employment Law Institute (May 2015)
- “Pressure on the [Attorney-Client] Privilege,” course co-chair and lecturer, Minnesota Continuing Legal Education (April 2015)
- “When Bad Things Happen to Good Companies,” annual meeting of client Board of Directors (January 2015)
ACADEMIC EXPERIENCE
- "Distinguished Practitioner in Residence" (2018-2019)
- Courses taught:Civil Rights Law (2019); Civil Procedure (2018)
- "Distinguished Practitioner in Residence" (Spring 1998), Adjunct Professor (1983-1984, 2000), Associate Professor (1981-1982)
- Courses taught: Federal Courts and Scientific Evidence, Torts, Litigation in the High Tech Age, Civil Rights and co-coordinated the Legal Research and Writing Program
University of Minnesota Law School
- Adjunct Professor (Summer Semester 2000)
Recognition
- 2020 Transformational Leadership Award, The International Leadership Institute
- Listed in The Best Lawyers in America (2008-2021)
- Selected as Lawyer of the Year (2020)
- Selected as "2018 Minneapolis Litigation - Labor & Employment Lawyer of the Year" Best Lawyers in America
- Named Local Litigation Star - Minnesota, Benchmark Litigation, The Guide to America's Leading Firms and Attorneys (2010-2020)
- Named Leading Commercial Litigator, Chambers USA, America's Leading Lawyers for Business-The Client's Guide (2009-2020)
- Selected to Super Lawyers list, Minnesota Super Lawyers (2003-2020)
- Listed in Who’s Who: Products Liability (2014-2016)
- Listed as Minneapolis Lawyer of the Year by Best Lawyers in America for Litigation: Labor and Employment (2015)
- Named Eighth Circuit Litigation Star – Minnesota, Benchmark Appellate, The Guide to America's Leading Appeals Litigation Firms and Attorneys (2012-2013)
- Selected to Minnesota Super Lawyers list, Super Lawyers
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Selected to “Top Ten” Super Lawyers list (2005, 2011-2013)
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Selected to "Top 100" Super Lawyers list (multiple years)
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2001 Award from Minnesota Federal Court recognizing 12 Years of Service as Chair of Local Rules Advisory Committee
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Appointed Special Master by federal and state courts
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Certified Mediator and Arbitrator qualified under State ADR Rule 114 (Civil Roster)
News
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Mark Johnson, Aaron Knoll, and Cliff Greene Recognized by Minnesota Lawyer as 2022 Attorneys of the Year
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Cliff Greene Receives the MSBA Public Law Section's 2021 Douglas K. Amdahl Public Attorney Career Achievement Award
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Award: Cliff Greene Receives Transformational Leadership Award from The International Leadership Institute
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Cliff Greene to Retire from Greene Espel
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Award: The Best Lawyers in America 2021 Recognizes 17 Greene Espel Lawyers
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Award: Super Lawyers Recognizes 20 Greene Espel Attorneys
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Award: Chambers USA 2020 Ranks Greene Espel and its Attorneys
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Event (11/5/2019): Cliff Greene Featured Speaker: Traditions of Excellence Inspiring Conversations with Industry Leaders
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Eleven Greene Espel Lawyers Listed in "The Best Lawyers in America 2020"
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2019 Super Lawyers and Rising Stars Lists Include 18 Greene Espel Attorneys
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Greene Espel Recognized Among Top Firms in 2019 Chambers USA
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Benchmark Litigation Recognizes Greene Espel and Five of its Lawyers
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Nine Greene Espel Lawyers Listed in "The Best Lawyers in America 2019"
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Greene Espel Lawyers Receive Recognition in 2018 Super Lawyers and Rising Stars Lists
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Mitchell Hamline Announces Cliff Greene as a Distinguished Practitioner in Residence
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Greene Espel Attorneys to Present at the 2018 Employment Law Conference
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Greene Espel Recognized Among Top Firms In 2018 Chambers USA
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Greene Espel and Three of Its Attorneys Receive 2018 Awards from Benchmark Litigation
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Nine Greene Espel Attorneys Listed in The Best Lawyers in America
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Super Lawyers Recognizes Thirteen Greene Espel Lawyers in 2017
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Greene Espel Receives Rankings in Chambers USA 2017
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Greene Espel Attorneys to Present at the Nation's Premier Employment Law Conference
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Greene and Knoll Present on Privilege during Ethics Seminar
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Greene and Tobin to speak at Minnesota CLE seminar
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Seven Greene Espel Attorneys Listed in The Best Lawyers in America 2017
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Benchmark Litigation Recognizes Greene Espel
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Super Lawyers 2016 Recognizes Sixteen Greene Espel Attorneys
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Greene Espel Recognized in Chambers USA 2016
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Greene to speak at Land Use Law and Practice
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Gassman-Pines and Greene to speak on Whistleblower and Retaliation Claims
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Greene to speak on Persuasive Appellate Advocacy
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Dunlop to chair, Greene to speak at motion practice CLE
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Best Lawyers in America 2016 honors seven Greene Espel attorneys
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Super Lawyers 2015 recognizes fifteen Greene Espel attorneys for honors
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Greene Espel highlighted in Chambers USA 2015
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Gassman-Pines, Greene chair and speak at Minnesota CLE’s Pressure on the Privilege
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Benchmark Litigation 2015 recommends Greene Espel
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Baker, Greene, and Swenson speak at the 2015 Midwest Conference on Land Use and Eminent Domain
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Best Lawyers in America 2015 lists seven Greene Espel attorneys
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Super Lawyers 2014 recognizes twelve Greene Espel attorneys for honors
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Greene, Dunlop, Kimble speak at 2014 Employment Law Institute
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Benchmark Litigation ranks Greene Espel among top six litigation firms in Minnesota
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Best Lawyers in America 2014 lists seven Greene Espel attorneys
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Super Lawyers 2013 recognizes eleven Greene Espel attorneys for honors
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Greene, Gassman-Pines present Hot Topics in Attorney-Client Privilege at Business Law Institute and Employment Law Institute
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Best Lawyers in America 2013 lists six Greene Espel attorneys
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Super Lawyers 2012 recognizes ten Greene Espel attorneys for honors
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Greene Espel client wins foreign sovereign immunity case at Eighth Circuit
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Greene, Luger, and Shapiro named to Best Lawyers 2012 list
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Greene named to Minnesota Top Ten Super Lawyers List
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Super Lawyers recognizes ten Greene Espel attorneys for honors
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Chambers 2011: Greene Espel is a “highly regarded litigation boutique with outstanding litigators"
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Greene presents on Ex parte Contacts with Employees at 2011 Employment Law Institute
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Benchmark Litigation ranks Greene Espel among top five litigation firms in Minnesota
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Greene Espel named to U.S. News - Best Lawyers list of “Best Law Firms”
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Super Lawyers recognizes Baker, Bazis, Espel, Greene, and Luger
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Chambers honors Greene Espel as a “superb firm with a first-class group of lawyers”
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Greene presents at 2010 Employment Law Institute
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Greene Espel represents National Football League Players Association (NFLPA) in Eighth Circuit appeal
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Chambers USA: Greene Espel is a "small yet wonderful litigation boutique"
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Cliff Greene is recognized as a Top 10 Super Lawyer
Practice Areas
- Appellate
- Business Litigation
- Employment
- Government and Constitutional Litigation
- Pro Bono
- Products Liability
Education
J.D., Cornell Law School, cum laude; Editor, Cornell International Law Journal
B.A., Harvard College, Government, cum laude, Ames Prize
Experience
First Distinguished Practitioner in Residence, William Mitchell College of Law
Popham, Haik, Schnobrich & Kaufman, Ltd., Senior Attorney/Shareholder