Carla J. Baumel

Carla Baumel is a trial-focused litigator who pairs technical fluency with a proven record of leading complex federal cases through trial and appeal. She represents clients in high-stakes intellectual property and technology disputes, leveraging a strategic approach honed through years of litigating sophisticated matters in federal court. Carla is particularly skilled at translating intricate technical concepts into persuasive narratives for judges and juries, providing clients with incisive advocacy that navigates the intersection of complex technologies and sophisticated litigation strategy.

Prior to joining Robins Kaplan, Carla served as an Assistant United States Attorney in the District of Minnesota, leading high-profile investigations into organized criminal organizations and the illicit use of emerging technologies involving AI. A seasoned advocate in the courtroom and beyond, she has successfully litigated several multi-defendant RICO trials and managed several complex matters through appeal. Her experience also includes serving as an Assistant Attorney General for the Colorado Department of Law, where she managed multidistrict antitrust proceedings involving the big tech, healthcare, and pharmaceutical industries.

With a Bachelor of Science in Biology and Spanish from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, Carla provides a rigorous, science-based approach to complex legal challenges. She has appeared in various jurisdictions, including the District of Columbia, the Northern District of California, the Northern District of Illinois, as well as several United States Circuit Courts of Appeal and the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office.

Education

• University of Minnesota Law School, concentration in Intellectual Property and Technology Law, magna cum laude; Order of the Coif; Dean’s List (2012); Minn. Law Review, Vol. 99 (Executive Editor), Vol. 98 (Staff)

• University of Wisconsin—Madison, B.S. in Biology and Spanish, Phi Beta Kapa; Dean’s List (2010)

Languages

Representative Matters

Served as a lead prosecutor in RICO conspiracy trials spanning four months involving the “Highs” criminal enterprise, successfully securing jury convictions for defendants on charges including racketeering, murder in aid of racketeering, and narcotics trafficking. USA v. Montez Brown, et al., No. 23-cr-00130 (NEB) (D. Minn. 2023). (Prior to joining Robins Kaplan LLP)

Represented the State of Colorado as a lead plaintiff state in landmark antitrust litigation involving exclusive distribution agreements and default search settings, contributing to the 2024 liability judgment and a 2025 final judgment that established an illegal monopoly and secured structural reforms to restore competition in general online search markets. State of Colorado v. Google LLC, No. 20-cv-03715 (D.D.C.). (Prior to joining Robins Kaplan LLP)

Member of a trial team defending a $300 million Walker Process antitrust suit through to a jury verdict involving mechanical card shuffling patent portfolio. (Prior to joining Robins Kaplan LLP)

• National Association of Attorneys General Antitrust Task Force Writing Award (2022)
• American Bar Association Antitrust Law Section Young Lawyer Representative (2023)
• International Intellectual Property Law Book Award (2015)
• University of Minnesota Law School Dean’s Distinguished Scholar (2013-2015)
• State of Wisconsin Academic Excellence Merit Scholar (2010)

Civic

• University of Minnesota Law School, Adjunct Professor (2024-present)
• Wayzata Public Schools Special Education Student Advisory Committee, Member (2025-present)
• Denver Metro Volunteer Lawyers, Volunteer (2021-2023)
• Cabrini Green Legal Aid Clinic, Volunteer (2014)
• University of Minnesota Immigration Clinic, Volunteer (2012)

Professional

• Federal Bar Association

Articles

• Carla J. Virlee, Offenders in the Community: Reshaping Sentencing and Supervision, 99 Minn. L. Rev. 1615 (2015).
• Contributor, Public Comments of the Colorado and Nebraska Attorneys General in Response to the Request for Information on Merger Enforcement (April 21, 2022), available at https://coag.gov/app/uploads/2022/04/CO-and-NE-Comments-on-Merger-Enforcement.pdf.
• Contributor, Complex Litigation Committee of the American College of Trial Lawyers, Editors in Chief Harry J. Roper & Douglas R. Dalgleish, Demonstrative Aids at Trial, Arlington, VA: Bloomberg BNA, 2017.

Media Mentions

“AI-generated images depicting child sexual abuse turning up in more Minnesota criminal cases,” The Minnesota Star Tribune (September 15, 2025)

“‘Generations’ of vulnerable kids lured to join violent ranks of Minneapolis gangs, feds say,” The Minnesota Star Tribune (September 2, 2025)

“RICO trials shed light on how Minneapolis street gangs operate,” KARE 11 (July 25, 2025)

“Jury convicts Minneapolis Highs gang members in final major racketeering trial,” The Minnesota Star Tribune (July 22, 2025)