Insurance Defense Counsel That Knows What the Other Side Is Planning
Defense representation built on plaintiff experience, trial capacity, and 32 years of civil litigation across the Upper Midwest.
A Different Kind of Defense Firm
Most defense counsel understands civil liability from one direction. Our attorneys represent injury plaintiffs in personal injury matters and corporate defendants in civil defense matters — often in the same types of cases. That dual experience is not a conflict. It is a structural advantage.
When our attorneys evaluate a claim against your organization, they understand exactly how the plaintiff's case was built, how damages were calculated, and where the weaknesses in that case are likely to be. That knowledge comes from direct experience, not from reading the other side's briefs.
For claims managers, in-house counsel, and general counsel evaluating defense representation, that distinction matters.

Minnesota's No-Fault Insurance System
Minnesota operates under a no-fault auto insurance system. After a car accident, your own Personal Injury Protection (PIP) coverage pays for initial medical expenses and a portion of lost wages — regardless of who caused the crash. PIP benefits are capped, and they don't compensate you for pain, suffering, or the full scope of your economic losses.
Trusted by Carriers and Corporations Across the Region
We have represented major institutional clients in civil defense matters for over three decades. Our defense clients include Travelers Insurance, Waste Management, and Coca-Cola — organizations with sophisticated claims operations that expect rigorous, consistent representation and clear communication at every stage of litigation.
Named institutional relationships at this level are uncommon for a boutique regional firm. They reflect a practice built on results and sustained trust, not volume.
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
The Types of Civil Defense Matters We Handle
Our defense attorneys handle civil liability cases across a range of matter types, including:
- Auto and fleet liability, including commercial vehicle and trucking claims
- Premises liability defense for property owners, operators, and managers
- Product liability defense for manufacturers and distributors
- Professional liability and malpractice defense
- Commercial general liability litigation
We do not limit our defense practice to a single category of claim. If your organization faces civil liability exposure in the Upper Midwest, we have handled matters like it.
You Pay Nothing Unless We Recover Compensation
Trial Capacity Is Not a Fallback. It Is Practice Policy.
In a legal market where high-volume defense firms are structured around early resolution, carriers and corporations sometimes find themselves without counsel willing to take an unfavorable settlement to trial. We are not that firm.
PTK litigates cases to verdict when trial is the correct strategic outcome. That capacity is not reserved for exceptional cases — it is built into how we practice. For defense clients, that means your outside counsel's position at the negotiating table is backed by a credible trial threat, not a settlement-dependent business model.
When the terms on the table are unacceptable, we are prepared to try the case.
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Frequently Asked Questions About Our Insurance Defense Practice
What types of clients does your defense practice represent?
We represent insurance carriers, self-insured corporations, and organizations facing civil liability claims across Minnesota, Wisconsin, Iowa, and North Dakota. Current and past defense clients include Travelers Insurance, Waste Management, and Coca-Cola.
How does your firm's plaintiff-side practice benefit defense clients?
Our attorneys represent injury plaintiffs in personal injury matters on an ongoing basis. That direct experience gives us an inside understanding of how plaintiff cases are constructed, how damages are valued, and where claims tend to be overstated. Defense counsel with that knowledge evaluates exposure more accurately and challenges claims more effectively.
Can your firm handle defense matters outside of Minnesota?
Yes. Our attorneys are licensed in Minnesota, Wisconsin, Iowa, and North Dakota. We handle civil defense matters across all four states under a single firm relationship, without the need to coordinate with separate regional counsel.
Is PTK willing to take cases to trial?
Trial capacity is a core part of how we practice, not an exception to it. When settlement terms are strategically unacceptable, we litigate to verdict. That willingness strengthens our position in pre-trial negotiations and ensures our clients are not pressured into unfavorable resolutions.
How do we engage PTK for defense representation?
The most direct path is a phone call to our Minneapolis office at 612-334-3399 or toll-free at 800-837-9117. You can also reach us through our contact form, which routes inquiries to the appropriate attorney based on matter type.
Ready to Discuss Defense Representation?
Our attorneys are available to discuss your organization's civil defense needs, evaluate a specific matter, or establish a relationship with your claims department or legal team. Reach us by phone or through our contact form.
612-334-3399 | 800-837-9117
Monday–Friday, 8:00 AM–4:30 PM
