Stephanie K. Bitterman
Counsel
Overview
Stephanie Bitterman has experience in a wide range of high-stakes business disputes, including insurance coverage disputes, minority shareholder and creditor disputes, and construction matters. Recognized as a 2018 Attorney of the Year by Minnesota Lawyer, Stephanie especially enjoys representing individual and corporate policyholders in complex insurance coverage disputes, helping safeguard and recover the benefits to which their policies entitle them. Stephanie takes a strategic and practical approach to litigation, keeping her clients' business objectives at the fore at all times.
Stephanie has worked throughout the country on matters involving directors and officers (D&O) insurance procurement and recovery; pollution/alleged groundwater contamination claims under general liability, property, and pollution policies; theft and fraud claims under financial institutions bonds, crime, and liability policies; errors and omissions (E&O) and professional coverage claims; and product liability insurance recovery for manufacturers.
Stephanie received her law degree, magna cum laude, from the University of Minnesota Law School. She graduated summa cum laude from Missouri Western State University with a B.A. in Spanish.
Experience
- Represents Fortune 100 company pursuing insurance coverage for mass tort/product liability claims relating to PFAS products.
- In re: Archdiocese of Saint Paul and Minneapolis (Bankr. D. Minn. 2015). Assisted with the representation of the Committee of Parish Creditors, comprised of over 100 parishes facing hundreds of clergy abuse claims, in the Archdiocese Chapter 11 reorganization. Obtained tens of millions of dollars in insurance coverage settlements under missing insurance policies, which settlements were part of the $210 million settlement of Archdiocese and Parish clergy abuse claims, and represented the largest settlement by a diocese in bankruptcy to date in the United States.
- Represented creditors in arbitration where clients obtained multi-million-dollar awards in connection with loans to private entities.
- Represented minority shareholders of an LLC in an arbitration and obtained favorable settlement of claims involving fiduciary duty, breach of contract, and equitable remedies for buy-out.
- Represented investment advisory firm that obtained a favorable settlement in action relating to client's recommendation to invest in what has commonly been referred to as Bernard Madoff's feeder funds.
- Rembrandt Enterprises v. Deb El Food Products LLC et al. Obtained summary judgment on behalf of creditor seeking to recover $1 million receivable dismissing debtor's $1.7 million counterclaim alleging creditor had breached supply agreement by demanding assurances of future performance.
- MN Timberwolves Limited Partnership v. AEG Management. Represented the Minnesota Timberwolves in connection with a successful ruling in 2010 in a contractual dispute with the operator of the Target Center Arena over the rights to revenue from a new sign to be erected on the back of the Target Center Arena adjacent to the new Twins Stadium.
- Obtained dismissal of claims against Fortune 500 company involving stock purchase and sale.
- Defended national retailer and hotel chain in action alleging unfair labor practice and discrimination claims.
- Obtained favorable judgment for client against lessees in default on a commercial lease.
- Has obtained favorable settlements for local and national clients in a wide variety of other commercial disputes.
Construction Litigation
- Obtained favorable settlement defending construction subcontractor in complex litigation involving multimillion-dollar construction defect claims.
- Obtained arbitration award for construction subcontractor in action involving mechanics' lien claims.
- Has defended owners and contractors in a variety of construction-related actions that resulted in favorable settlements for clients.
Honors
Recognized on Minnesota Rising Stars list as part of the Super Lawyers® selection process, 2021 (Minnesota Rising Stars is a designation given to only 2.5% of Minnesota attorneys each year, based on a selection process that includes the recommendation of peers in the legal profession.)
Attorney of the Year, Minnesota Lawyer, 2018
North Star Lawyer, Minnesota State Bar Association, 2014-2015 (North Star Lawyer is a designation that recognizes members who provide 50 hours or more of pro bono legal services in a calendar year.)
John Sublett Logan Business Fellowship for Alumni of Missouri Western State University