Marc Betinsky

Marc knows litigation. He spent more than 11 years as the career law clerk for Judge Richard H. Kyle in the federal district court in Minnesota. There, he served as the Judge’s chief advisor on a wide variety of civil and criminal litigation, including numerous cases alleging police misconduct and other civil-rights violations. His deep knowledge of court proceedings and judicial preferences allows him to collaborate effectively with other attorneys on critical motion, trial, and appellate strategies. Marc also has experience working for federal judges in Florida and New York, and previously handled commercial disputes and employment cases for several of the country’s largest law firms.

Marc graduated from Cornell Law School and received his undergraduate degree in mathematics from the University of Florida, where he served as the lone math tutor for the Gators’ athletic teams. He enjoys leveraging his unique skills to help clients solve problems in a pragmatic and expeditious manner.

Education

• Cornell Law School, J.D. with honors
• University of Florida, B.S. in Mathematics, with high honors 

Representative Matters

$12.2 Million Settlement – Winborn v. Schneider et al. (2023) (United States District Court, District of Minnesota)
The Robins Kaplan civil rights team, led by Katie Bennett, secured a groundbreaking $12.2 million settlement for Terrance Dwayne Winborn, who suffered severe injuries due to the deliberate indifference of county personnel while detained at the Scott County Jail in 2020. Winborn's constitutional rights were violated when a Jail nurse ignored his urgent medical needs, leading to a bacterial infection, heart attack, septic shock, and, ultimately, the amputation of both hands. The settlement was reached after Robins Kaplan attorneys filed a motion regarding the deletion of critical video evidence, and before any ruling on the case was issued.

$7.5 Million Settlement – Pope v. Chauvin, Arradondo & MPD (2023) (United States District Court, District of Minnesota)
The civil rights team at Robins Kaplan, led by Katie Bennett, obtained a $7.5 million settlement for John Pope, a victim of police misconduct by Derek Chauvin and other Minneapolis Police officers. Pope’s lawsuit alleged the use of excessive force and racial discrimination during a 2017 encounter when Pope, then 14 years old, was brutally assaulted and restrained by Chauvin using similar tactics to those later seen in the murder of George Floyd. Despite Pope posing no threat, Chauvin struck him with a flashlight, choked him, and pinned him to the floor with his knee for more than 15 minutes as Pope cried out for help and that he couldn’t breathe. Numerous other MPD officers observed Chauvin’s misconduct and failed to do anything to stop it.

$6.2 Million Settlement – Olthoff v. Warnygora, et al. (2020) (United States District Court, District of Minnesota)
In 2020, Robins Kaplan civil rights attorneys settled an excessive-force lawsuit resulting from Shawn Olthoff’s shooting by a sheriff’s deputy. On July 29, 2019, Olthoff was the subject of a CERT Team (similar to a SWAT team) call-out in Carlton County, Minnesota, as officers sought to arrest him for an incident occurring days prior. He was asleep on his side, unarmed, when officers entered his mother’s trailer. Despite raising his empty hands in the air upon police command, Carlton County Sergeant Jason Warnygora shot Olthoff twice in the chest, just below his armpit. The bullets paralyzed Olthoff from the chest down.

$3.9 Million Settlement – Stevenson v. Bauer, et. al. (2022) (United States District Court, District of Minnesota)
The Robins Kaplan civil rights team obtained a settlement totaling approximately $3.9 million with the City of Minneapolis on behalf of Soren Stevenson. Six days after Minneapolis Police Department officer Derek Chauvin murdered George Floyd, Stevenson was peacefully protesting with a group of others near the intersection of I-35W and University Avenue during daylight hours. MPD SWAT officers arrived and, despite the peaceful nature of the protest, began firing 40-milimeter blunt-impact projectiles, one of which struck Stevenson in his left eye, destroying it. No officer was disciplined for shooting Stevenson in the eye.

$2.9 Million Settlement – Confidential (2023) (United States District Court, District of North Dakota)
Marc Betinsky was part of a team of Robins Kaplan attorneys who settled a civil rights lawsuit against a North Dakota organization following the suicide of a minor for $2.9 million.

$2.75 Million Settlement – Green v. Anoka County, et. al. (2024) (United States District Court, District of Minnesota)
Robins Kaplan’s civil rights team, led by Katie Bennett, obtained a $2.75 million settlement for Deyonta Green, who was denied access to critical healthcare while incarcerated at Anoka County Jail, leading to severe and long-lasting injuries. Green, who struggled with addiction issues, entered the Jail on February 5, 2022, shortly after his most recent drug use. Jail officials and medical staff were aware of the risks associated with opioid and stimulant withdrawal and the critical importance of properly utilizing and tapering medication-assisted treatment. Despite Green having a valid prescription for Suboxone, crucial for managing his withdrawal symptoms, Jail medical staff refused to provide him the medication. At the time of Green’s incarceration, Anoka County Jail contracted with MEnD Correctional Care, a now-bankrupt healthcare company, to provide medical services. MEnD repeatedly failed to meet its contractual obligations, including providing adequate staffing at the Jail. As a result, Green endured severe withdrawal symptoms, including tremors, nausea, sleep disturbances, and eating problems, ultimately leading him to fall from his bunk and suffer a serious head injury. His deteriorating condition was well-documented by Jail staff, but no medical intervention was provided.

$2.3 Million Settlement – Lynas v. Stang, et al. (2020) (United States District Court, District of Minnesota)
The civil rights lawyers at Robins Kaplan secured a $2.3 million settlement in a deliberate-indifference lawsuit against Sherburne County, two of its correctional officers, and MEnD Correctional Care. The case involved the tragic suicide of a client’s son, who, after being arrested for a DWI, was not properly treated for withdrawal or mental-health issues at Sherburne County Jail. Despite expressing suicidal thoughts and being flagged for mental health concerns, he was placed in general population housing and not monitored properly, leading to his death by hanging in his cell.

$2.25 Million Combined Settlement – Bunker v. Keilwitz, et al. (2021) (United States District Court, District of Minnesota)
The civil rights team resolved a jail-death lawsuit on behalf of a mother who lost her daughter to suicide at Beltrami County Jail. The lawsuit alleged that MEnD Correctional Care and Beltrami County were deliberately indifferent to the woman's serious medical and mental-health needs, including suicidality, violating her constitutional rights. A week after her arrest, the woman took her own life while in custody, and her family was not informed until ten days later.

$1.6 Million Settlement – Boudin v. Krupich, et al. (2020) (United States District Court, District of Minnesota)
The civil rights lawyers at Robins Kaplan obtained a $1.6 million settlement for Kameron Boudin, a combat veteran, who was severely injured during an encounter with an Otter Tail County Sheriff’s Deputy in 2018. After a minor bar fight and returning home, officers and deputies surrounded his home, threatening Boudin’s girlfriend and demanding to enter, which they eventually did. Boudin was struck multiple times in the face by a deputy while lying on his back and pinned to the ground, resulting in serious facial fractures, surgery, and ongoing medical issues, including PTSD.

$1.5 Million Settlement – Roybal v. Candor, et. al. (2024) (United States District Court, District of Minnesota)
The Robins Kaplan civil rights team secured a $1.5 million settlement in a deliberate indifference lawsuit arising out of the death of Justice Lee White in the Sherburne County Jail. White was having a mental-health breakdown and exhibiting warning signs of significant suicidality while being detained at the Jail in 2020/ Despite this, Jail staff placed him in a suicide-friendly cell – in fact, it was the same cell where James Lynas hanged himself in 2016. White hanged himself in his cell in similar fashion to Lynas.

$1.375 Million Settlement – Code v. Chauvin, et. al. (2023) (United States District Court, District of Minnesota)
Robins Kaplan civil rights attorneys secured a $1.375 million settlement for Zoya Code in a lawsuit against Derek Chauvin, the City of Minneapolis, and several Minneapolis Police Department officers. The case involved the use of excessive force and racial discrimination during a 2017 incident when Code, who posed no threat and was handcuffed, was subjected to brutal treatment by Chauvin. Despite being compliant, Code’s arms were torqued behind her head before she was slammed to the ground and placed in a "hobble" restraint before Chauvin kneed on her neck, similar to tactics he used in incidents with George Floyd and John Pope.

$1.2 Million Settlement – Cole v. Dwyer et al. (2024) (United States District Court, District of Minnesota)
Marc Betinsky and the Robins Kaplan civil rights attorneys resolved an excessive-force case brought on behalf of two decorated journalists, Carolyn Cole and Molly Hennessy-Fiske, against members of the Minnesota State Patrol. Cole and Hennessy-Fiske were working for the Los Angeles Times and covering the unrest in Minneapolis following George Floyd’s murder when they were surrounded and pepper-sprayed by members of the State Patrol Mobile Response Team. The State Patrol agreed to a $1.2 million settlement.

$1.1 Million Settlement - Confidential (2024)
Marc Betinsky and Andrew Noel resolved a lawsuit against two healthcare companies for $1,100,000 involving a claim of sexual abuse.

$600,000 Settlement – Day v. Chauvin et al. (2025) (United States District Court, District of Minnesota)
The Robins Kaplan civil rights team, led by Katie Bennett, obtained a $600,000 settlement with the City of Minneapolis for client Patty Day, who was subjected to excessive force by former Minneapolis Police Department officer Derek Chauvin and his then-partner, officer Ellen Jensen. Day’s lawsuit alleged that during an interaction with the officers in January 2020, she was violently jerked from her car and thrown to the ground, despite posing no threat, causing a fractured tooth along with arm and should injuries. Day further alleged that Chauvin then pressed his knee into her back while she was handcuffed, much as he had done to George Floyd and John Pope.

$600,000 Settlement – Fyle v. Leibfried, et al. (2024) (United States District Court, District of Minnesota)
In June 2024, Duluth’s City Council approved a $600,000 settlement brought against the City and one of its officers. In September 2020, Jared Fyle was shot in the back while unarmed and inside his apartment. Two officers approached the apartment after a civil dispute. One officer blindly fired several shots through Mr. Fyle’s door after hearing two loud bangs coming from inside. One of the bullets wounded the 23-year-old, hitting him in the shoulder. Andrew Noel led the civil rights team in this effort.

 $550,000 Settlement – Regenold v. Higgins, et. al. (2021) (United States District Court, Southern District of Iowa)
The Robins Kaplan civil rights team, led by Andrew Noel, secured a $550,000 settlement in a wrongful shooting lawsuit. In 2019, Myles Regenold was unarmed and not resisting arrest when an Ankeny, Iowa police officer shot him in the arm, leaving him with permanent impairment. Audio from a body-worn camera and the location of the injury helped establish that Regenold’s hands were up and in a surrender pose when the shooting occurred.

$500,000+ Settlement – Nadeau v. Shipman, et. al. (2021) (United States District Court, District of North Dakota)
The Robins Kaplan civil rights team, led by Andrew Noel, secured a $500,000 settlement, with the remainder confidential, in a jail-death lawsuit in North Dakota. John Nadeau was in the midst of a mental-health breakdown when he was arrested in 2013 and brought to the Morton County Correctional Center. He had recently attempted suicide. Despite repeatedly asking for mental-health help from jail medical staff, he received none as his condition deteriorated. He eventually hanged himself in his cell. His mother brought a deliberate-indifference claim on his behalf under the Eighth Amendment, which settled on the eve of trial.

$450,000 Settlement – Palmquist v. Fitzhenry, et. al. (2020) (Hennepin County District Court)
Robins Kaplan attorneys, led by Katie Bennett, secured a $450,000 settlement on behalf of our client, who, while riding his bicycle, was injured when a St. Louis Park police officer turned her squad car directly into his path. The collision caused a serious hip injury requiring surgery.

$400,000 Settlement – Fillner v. Fritz, et al. (2020) (United States District Court, District of Minnesota)
Robins Kaplan civil rights attorneys, led by Andrew Noel, secured a $400,000 settlement for Ashley Fillner in an excessive-force lawsuit against the City of Rochester and one of its police officers. Fillner was unresponsive and experiencing withdrawal symptoms in her minivan when officers arrived. When she did not comply with requests to exit the vehicle, an officer forcibly removed her, slamming her into another vehicle and causing a significant should injury. X-rays revealed a displaced, broken arm, leading to surgery and thousands of dollars in medical bills to repair.

$365,000 Settlement – Valiant v. Leonard, et. al. (2022) (United States District Court, District of Minnesota)
Robins Kaplan civil rights attorneys, led by Andrew Noel, secured a $365,000 settlement on behalf of Anthony Valiant, who was denied prescribed medication while being held at the Wright County Jail in 2019. Valiant had been taking Xanax for more than a decade when he was brought to the Jail. Despite the risks of suddenly stopping Xanax being well known, Jail medical staff employed by MEnD Correctional Care refused to provide Valiant with his valid prescription for the medication, resulting in a seizure that caused him to fall from his bunk and suffer a significant head injury.

$350,000 Settlement – Albrecht-Payton v. Potter, et al. (2021) (Hennepin County District Court)
Alayna Albrecht-Payton was a passenger in the car of Daunte Wright, a 20-year-old Black man who was fatally shot at a traffic light by Brooklyn Center police officer Kimberly Potter. The point-blank shot resulted in a car crash that left Albrecht-Payton with multiple injuries, including facial lacerations, a broken jaw which surgery was required to repair, and severe emotional distress. The civil rights team negotiated this settlement in a highly visible case.

$300,000 Settlement – Presuit (2024)
Marc Betinsky and Andrew Noel secured a $300,000 pre-suit settlement on behalf of a client injured when a driver, speeding to make a yellow light, crashed into our client’s vehicle at high-speed, causing her significant orthopedic and intestinal injuries.

$270,000 Settlement – Mensing v. Price, et al. (2019) (United States District Court, District of Minnesota)
Robins Kaplan’s civil rights attorneys secured a $270,000 settlement in an excessive-force lawsuit against the City of Mankato and one of its police officers. In January 2019, officers were summoned to a restaurant in Mankato, where they found 42-year-old Brian Mensing asleep at a table. When officers woke him, it was clear Mensing was intoxicated, but he followed their commands to exit the restaurant. Despite this, an officer applied an “iron wrist lock,” to Mensing’s left wrist, causing a complex fracture ultimately requiring surgery.

$20 Million Settlement – Ruszczyk v. Noor, et al. (2019) (United States District Court, District of Minnesota)
On July 15, 2017, Justine Ruszczyk was shot and killed by Minneapolis Police Officer Mohamed Noor after she called 911 to report a possible sexual assault in an alleyway behind her home. Justine, who at the time was barefoot and wearing pink pajamas, approached the officers without any aggression, posing no threat to Noor, his partner, or anyone else at the scene. She had committed no crime and was unarmed when she was fatally shot. We reached a $20 million settlement with the City of Minneapolis for Justine’s death, which was at the time the largest amount in the City’s history, according to a spokesperson for the Mayor. The civil rights team obtained this result prior to joining Robins Kaplan LLP.

$1.8 Million Settlement – Huber v. Sobiech et al. (2018) (United States District Court, District of Minnesota)
A federal civil rights action was brought on behalf of the next of kin of Brett Huber, Jr., who hanged himself at the Todd County Jail in June 2017 after manifesting symptoms of serious mental health problems over a three-month period. The civil rights team obtained this result prior to joining Robins Kaplan LLP. The effort was led by Andrew Noel.

$350,000 Settlement – Olesen v. Roddy et al. (2018) (United States District Court, District of Minnesota)
Trevor Olesen suffered a prolonged police K9 attack on May 26, 2016, that resulted in gaping wounds to his right leg. A portion of the attack was captured on drone video. The video shows Olesen being viciously attacked by K9 Jax, who was deployed on Olesen by his K9 handler, Fridley police officer Thomas Roddy. The civil rights team obtained this result prior to joining Robins Kaplan LLP. This case was led by Katie Bennett.

Press Releases

• Listed in The Best Lawyers in America (2024-2025 editions)
• Named an "Attorney of the Year" by Minnesota Lawyer (2023)
• Listed in "500 Leading Civil Rights & Plaintiff Employment Lawyers," Lawdragon (2023-2024)
• Named a “North Star Lawyer” by the Minnesota State Bar Association for providing at least 50 hours of pro bono legal services (2021-2022, 2024)

Civic

• Member, U.S. District Court, District of Minnesota, Magistrate Judge Merit Selection Panel (2022)
• Member, Federal Bar Association, Minnesota Chapter, Mentorship Committee (2022-2023); Civil Discovery Committee (2023-present); Communications Committee (2010-2013)

Professional

• Federal Bar Association, Minnesota Chapter
• Minnesota State Bar Association
• Minnesota Association for Justice
• American Association for Justice
• Federal Bar Association, Civil Rights section
  
   

Speeches

• Can You Keep a Secret? Privacy Laws and Civil Litigation
  Federal Bar Association’s Minnesota Chapter, Minneapolis, Minnesota (December 3, 2024)
• Threats to the Rule of Law – Perspectives from the Bench
  Moderator, ​Robins Kaplan LLP Trial Advocacy Seminar, Minneapolis, Minnesota (October 30, 2024)
• Civil Discovery ‘Jeopardy!’
  48th Annual Federal Practice Seminar, Minneapolis, MN (June 11, 2024)

Articles

• "Commentary: Making the Whole Truth Public," Minnesota Lawyer (July 15, 2024)
• "To Seize or Not to Seize: Campus Protests and Police Uses of Force," Robins Kaplan Justice Report, vol. 18 no. 2 (June 2024)
• “Bugs In The Office: Are Surreptitious Tape Recordings By Employees Discoverable? If So, What Happens Next?,” N.Y. Employment Law & Practice, vol. 5, no. 1 (Nov. 2003).
• “Defenses In Year 2000 Litigation: New Technology, Old Theories,” 5 B.U. J. Sci. & Tech. L. 2 (1999) (co-author).
• “Personal Jurisdiction: If The (International) Shoe Fits, Wear It – But Does It Fit The Net?” Journal of Internet Law, July 1999, at 17 (co-author).

Media Mentions

• "Breaking the Ice: Career Clerkship Offered Decision-Making Insight," Minnesota Lawyer (April 24, 2025)
• "Rolette County Jail defendants to pay $2 million to family of woman who died in custody,” InForum (April 3, 2025)
• "Can You Keep a Secret? Civil Discovery Practice Group Assembles Roundtable
  on Privacy Laws in Civil Litigation," Bar Talk (January 31, 2025)
• "Minnesota Lawyer Announces Attorneys of the Year," Minnesota Lawyer (December 21, 2023)