Maslon Partner Steve Schleicher Continues Service as Special Assistant Attorney General on AG Ellison's Prosecution Team in the Trial of Derek Chauvin

As Special Assistant Attorney General on AG Ellison's prosecution team for the State of Minnesota vs. Derek Chauvin, Maslon Partner and veteran trial attorney Steve Schleicher will continue to serve in various roles throughout the trial. In July 2020, Steve was one of four attorneys from private practice and in house selected to serve on a pro bono basis as part of the larger prosecution team, which includes representatives from the Minnesota Attorney General's Office and the Hennepin County Attorney's Office—all working under the leadership of Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison.

Maslon Chair Mike McCarthy shared, "We're so proud to support Steve's contributions to ensuring justice is served as part of the prosecution team in the trial of Derek Chauvin. Maslon lawyers have a long tradition of providing pro bono service in support of our justice system, but rarely have we had an opportunity to serve that cause in the way that Steve is doing in this trial."

Related Media Coverage*:

• June 25, 2021, MSNBC — The Last Word: "Prosecutor in Chauvin trial: 'Sense of peace' in sentencing"
• June 22, 2021, CBS News — 60 Minutes: "A young girl's impact on the Derek Chauvin trial"
• May 6, 2021, Stay Tuned with Preet: "The Chauvin Prosecutors (with Jerry Blackwell and Steve Schleicher)"
• April 26, 2021, Fox 9 KMSP: "Derek Chauvin trial prosecutors discuss strategy after verdict"
• April 26, 2021, KSTP 5 Eyewitness News: "Schleicher, Ellison discuss prosecuting Chauvin case"
• April 26, 2021, CBS News — 60 Minutes: "60 Minutes interviews the prosecutors of Derek Chauvin"
• April 24, 2021, Star Tribune: "Chauvin verdicts 'not a cause for celebration,' prosecutor says"
• April 20, 2021, CBS Minnesota News: "AG Keith Ellison Speaks After Derek Chauvin Found Guilty"
• April 5, 2021, CBS News: "Chief: Chauvin's use of force not part of policy, ethics or values" (article + trial footage)
• March 9, 2021, Star Tribune: "3 jurors chosen in first day of Chauvin trial jury selection"
• July 15, 2020, Minnesota Lawyer: "All-star lawyers sign onto Floyd murder case" (subscription required)
• July 13, 2020, "Seasoned attorneys join AG Ellison's team pro bono in George Floyd case"
• July 13, 2020: Pioneer Press: "Four pro bono attorneys join Keith Ellison’s prosecution team in George Floyd case"

*Media Inquiries: For immediate attention, please contact Pamela Erwin Roemer, Director of Marketing & Business Development by email or phone at 612.672.8252.

Trial Footage:

• April 19, 2021, Star Tribune: View Trial Video: "Prosecution presents closing arguments in Derek Chauvin's murder trial"
• April 19, 2021, NPR: "'Believe Your Eyes': Prosecution Presents Closing Arguments In Derek Chauvin's Trial"
• April 13, 2021, NPR: "Expert Testifies Chauvin's Actions Were Justified And In Line With Policies" | View Trial Video
• April 12, 2021, MPR News: View Trial Video: "Chauvin trial: Two more witnesses for the prosecution"
• April 6, 2021, NPR: "Chauvin's Restraint On Floyd's Neck Isn't Taught By Police, Use-Of-Force Trainer Says" | View Trial Video
• April 5, 2021, CBS News: "Chief: Chauvin's use of force not part of policy, ethics or values" (article + trial footage)
• April 2, 2021, NPR: "Senior Police Officer Says Chauvin's Neck Restraint Of Floyd Was 'Uncalled For'" | View Trial Video
• April 1, 2021, Star Tribune: "Day 16 of Derek Chauvin trial: Supervisor detailed to jurors the immediate aftermath of George Floyd's death"
• March 12, 2021, MPR News: "Chauvin trial: 7th juror seated; Mpls. to pay $27M to settle Floyd family lawsuit" | View Trial Video

About Steve:

Steve is a highly experienced trial and appellate lawyer who concentrates his work on criminal defense, government and internal investigations, and high stakes civil litigation. A former federal prosecutor, he spent 13 years in the U.S. Attorney's Office serving as the Deputy Criminal Chief of the Special Prosecution Section (2014-2016) and as the St. Paul Branch Chief. Prior to joining the U.S. Attorney's Office, Steve worked at the Minnesota Attorney General's Office and Winona County Attorney's Office. Steve also served 10 years as a JAG Corps Officer in the United States Army Reserve.

Throughout his career, Steve has prosecuted a diverse variety of criminal cases, including homicide, criminal sexual conduct, armed robbery, assault, and other violent crime; complex narcotics conspiracies; racketeering; organized crime; fraud; money laundering, and civil rights violations. He has also had numerous jury trials and has conducted hundreds of investigations. In 2016, he served as a prosecutor on the Jacob Wetterling case and was recognized as an "Attorney of the Year" by Minnesota Lawyer for his dedicated work.

At Maslon, Steve serves as co-chair of the firm's Government & Internal Investigations Group. Steve's notable investigations include a security company holding a contract at a major NFL venue as well as a data security breach and IP theft conspiracy at a major automobile manufacturer. As a business litigator, Steve served as liaison defense counsel for a leading corn seed developer in a consolidated action involving over 65,000 plaintiffs, and he has represented a leading medical device manufacturer in product liability lawsuits in multiple state and federal courts across the country.