Sortland Paul A

Information may not be reliable

Practice: Paul Sortland specializes in civil litigation with a focus on legal and medical malpractice as well as significant business and personal injury lawsuits. Paul Sortland represents individual persons and companies for harm and damages caused by the actions or negligence of others.

Biographical Notes: Sortland is certified as a civil trial specialist by the litigation section of the Minnesota State Bar Association. His work is recognized by his inclusion in "Who's Who in American Law" and "Who's Who in the Midwest," and also other publications. In 1996, Sortland was admitted to the "Million Dollar Advocates Forum," a national group of successful attorneys, in recognition of a $2.8 million medical malpractice verdict, one of the largest at the time in Minnesota. Sortland's winning lawsuits have been noted in local newspapers and national industry magazines. He has also been a guest on public television's "Almanac" program.

Paul Sortland has co-authored two legal publications, "Trial Advocacy in Minnesota" and "Civil Procedure in Minnesota" prepared for continuing legal education courses and has taught several other continuing legal education classes. He has also been an adjunct professor of business law at Minnesota State University Moorhead. His experience includes victorious jury verdicts and settlements in cases involving medical and legal malpractice, antitrust, trade secret violations, other business torts, construction disputes, major commercial lawsuits, and cases involving substantial personal injury.

Paul Sortland was named a Minnesota "Super Lawyer" by Minnesota Law & Politics, meaning he has been identified as in the top 5 percent of the attorneys in the state, as chosen by peers and through the independent research of Law & Politics. He is rated "av", the best ranking possible, by Martindale-Hubbell, the most recognized and authoritative directory on the legal profession.
Courts: Sortland is admitted to practice in the state and federal courts of both Minnesota and North Dakota, to the Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals, and to the United States Supreme Court.

Professional Qualifications: Sortland graduated, cum laude, from St. Olaf College. He received his juris doctor degree from the University of Minnesota Law School. Sortland served as a resident manager of a national law firm providing business litigation services. He was later a partner and chair of the business litigation section of a significant Twin Cities law firm. Paul Sortland is now a sole practitioner in order to provide personal attention to the needs of clients. Sortland is a member of the American Association for Justice, the Minnesota State Bar Association, the Minnesota Association for Justice, and the State Bar Association of North Dakota.

Paul Sortland on the Internet:
An article in the December, 2005, issue of Forbes FYI spotlights one of our successful cases where an elderly person was deceived and taken advantage of by supposedly reputable professionals. The article, "My Father's Library," is an interesting narrative showing how professionals can make poor decisions on behalf of their clients. The reference to this office begins on the third page. This article explains, in a poignant fashion, why our work is necessary.

In June of 2002, the Minnesota Court of Appeals upheld the punitive damages award we obtained in a case involving only property damage. This case was important because it confirmed the availability of punitive damages in a property damage case where no personal injury was involved. Brantner Farms, Inc. v. Garner, Minnesota Court of Appeals, (June 4, 2002).
Paul Sortland has spoken at several continuing legal education courses for attorneys regarding the tort of invasion of privacy. Invasion of Privacy has only recently been acknowledged as an actionable tort in Minnesota. Paul Sortland was the counsel on one of the more significant cases leading up to this regarding invasion of privacy and trespass by the media, in Special Force Family Ministries vs. CBS, 584 N.W.2d 746 (1998). This case has been cited nationwide regarding limits to proper journalistic activity.
Paul Sortland was a guest speaker for a couple of years at the annual meeting of the Vacuum Dealers Trade Association in Las Vegas where he was discussed his "Vacuum Doctor" cases concerning trademarks and insurance law. Scott Fetzer Company v. Williamson, 101 F.3d 549 (8th Cir. 1996), and Williamson v. North Star Insurance Company, (Minn. App., 1997).

Here is a link to an article about the $2.8 Million medical malpractice verdict which Paul Sortland successfully presented to a Hennepin County jury in 1996. This award was one of the largest in the state for medical malpractice at the time.