32 Years of Civil Litigation in Minneapolis — and a Practice Model Built to Win on Both Sides
We founded this firm in 1994. Thirty-two years later, we are still here, still in Minneapolis, and still taking cases to trial when that is what it takes to get our clients a fair outcome. That kind of continuity is not common in this market, and it is not accidental.
A Firm Built on Both Sides of the Courtroom
Most law firms choose a lane. We chose not to — and that decision has shaped how every attorney here thinks, prepares, and argues.
Our attorneys represent individuals and families who have been seriously injured through someone else's negligence. We also represent major corporate clients and insurance carriers in civil defense matters. Those two practices exist under one roof by design. When one of our plaintiff attorneys sits across the table from an insurance adjuster, they have already sat in that chair. They know how carriers document claims, how adjusters are trained to evaluate damages, and where the pressure points are in a defense strategy. That is not something you can learn from a seminar. It comes from doing the work on both sides for three decades.
If you are concerned that a firm representing insurers cannot fight hard for you as a plaintiff, we understand that instinct. Our answer is this: the attorneys who handle your case know exactly how the other side thinks — because they are the other side in other cases. That knowledge does not divide our loyalty. It sharpens it.
Eight Attorneys. Four States. One Firm That Knows This Region.
We are a boutique of eight attorneys licensed to practice in Minnesota, Wisconsin, Iowa, and North Dakota. That footprint reflects 32 years of client relationships and referral work built across the upper Midwest — not a recent expansion.
Being a firm of eight means something specific: you work with an attorney, not a case manager who relays messages to one. Access is not an upgrade we offer selectively. It is how we are structured.
Our size also means we are selective about the cases we take. When we agree to represent you, it is because we believe in the merits of your matter and are prepared to see it through — including to trial if necessary. In a market where most personal injury firms are optimized for volume and settlement, willingness to try a case is a meaningful differentiator. Insurance carriers and opposing counsel know which firms will go the distance. We are one of them.
What We Handle
Our practice spans four areas of civil litigation, each handled by attorneys with deep subject matter experience:
Personal injury representation for individuals injured in auto and truck accidents, construction accidents, premises liability incidents, dog bites, and product liability matters — plaintiff-side, across all licensed states
Insurance defense for corporate clients and carriers, including Travelers Insurance, Waste Management, and Coca-Cola
Malpractice litigation, with a primary focus on dental malpractice and a secondary practice in medical malpractice
Alternative dispute resolution, including mediation and arbitration for civil matters
What Our Clients Say
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Frequently Asked Questions About Our Firm
How long has Pattee, Tewksbury & Kerfeld been in practice?
We were founded in 1994 and are now in our 32nd year of continuous practice in Minneapolis. The firm has operated from the same city throughout — no mergers, no rebranding, no change in ownership structure.
Is PTK a large firm or a small firm?
We are a boutique of eight attorneys. That puts us well past the limitations of a solo practice while remaining small enough that every client works directly with an attorney on their matter. We are not structured for volume — we are structured for results.
What states are your attorneys licensed in?
Our attorneys are licensed to practice in Minnesota, Wisconsin, Iowa, and North Dakota. We handle civil litigation matters across all four states, with our primary office located in Minneapolis.
Does representing insurance companies mean you won't fight hard for injured plaintiffs?
The opposite is true. Our plaintiff attorneys understand how insurers evaluate and minimize claims because they handle defense cases themselves. That firsthand knowledge informs how we build plaintiff cases, anticipate defense strategies, and negotiate on your behalf. Both sides of our practice make each attorney a more effective advocate.
How do I get started with a case evaluation?
Call us at 612-334-3399 or 800-837-9117, Monday through Friday between 8:00 AM and 4:30 PM. You can also submit a case evaluation request through our contact form and we will route your inquiry to the appropriate attorney.
Ready to Find Out What Your Case Is Worth?
You do not have to figure this out alone, and you do not have to settle for the first number an adjuster offers. Our attorneys are available for free case evaluations across all practice areas — with no obligation and no fee unless we recover on your behalf.
