Philip Sieff

Philip Sieff is a nationally recognized personal injury attorney with more than three decades of experience litigating some of the most high-profile, complex, and devastating cases across Minnesota. He focuses on matters involving catastrophic injuries and wrongful death.

Over the course of his career, Philip has taken on a wide range of serious cases, from large-scale workplace injuries to incidents involving the death or serious injury of a child. He is known for his strategic legal mind, steady leadership, and dogged pursuit of justice on behalf of individuals and families in crisis. Philip collaborates with other top-tier professionals, including investigators and experts, to build the strongest possible case.

As a lifelong Minnesota resident, Philip has cultivated strong, long-standing connections throughout the Twin Cities and broader Midwest region. His extensive legal knowledge, clear communication style and ability to explain complex issues uniquely position him to serve as a credible and insightful voice in media coverage on high-profile legal matters.

One of Philip’s most defining legal contributions came in the aftermath of the I-35W bridge collapse in Minneapolis. In 2007, the unthinkable happened when a major bridge collapsed during rush hour, killing 13 people and injuring 145 others. As lead co-counsel for the I-35W Consortium (a coalition of 17 law firms), he provided over 3,500 hours of free pro bono legal services to victims and their families. Philip was also instrumental in the creation of a $37 million legislatively created compensation program for victims.

Philip also has extensive experience with sensitive and technically demanding cases, such as fire and explosion litigation, and aerosol duster abuse—also known as “dusting.” While settlement numbers of many of these cases remain confidential, there have been significant recoveries for the families impacted by the horrible consequences of dusting spray abuse. In 2024, Philip was co-lead counsel and secured a groundbreaking $7.75 million jury verdict in Federal Court against the manufacturer of an aerosol dust remover for its failure to prevent the foreseeable misuse of its aerosol dust remover products. This was the first dust remover case of its kind to go to trial.

Education

• Mitchell Hamline School of Law, J.D., cum laude (1985)
  • Associate Member, Hamline Law Review
  • Associate Editor-In-Chief, Hamline Law Review Symposium
• Cornell College, B.S.S., Politics, With Distinction

Representative Matters

Philip Sieff represents victims in a wide variety of serious, complex, and high-profile injury and wrongful death matters. Examples of some of those cases include:

I-35W Bridge Collapse Pro Bono Legal Services: Philip Sieff served as lead co-counsel of the I-35W Consortium, a group of 17 law firms that provided pro bono legal services to over 100 victims following the August 1, 2007 I-35W bridge collapse in Minneapolis. Through his work at Robins Kaplan LLP, Philip personally contributed over 3,500 hours of free legal work to the victims. He played a key role in helping secure a $37 million compensation fund created by the Minnesota Legislature, was responsible for managing the legal needs of 100+ clients, coordinated efforts across the Consortium firms, and served as the lead liaison with engineering experts investigating the cause of the collapse. In total, the team recovered more than $77 million on behalf of Consortium clients. Robins Kaplan LLP attorneys and staff devoted more than 20,000 hours of free legal work to the case. In recognition of these efforts, The National Law Journal honored the firm with the 2011 Pro Bono Award in a testament to the extraordinary contributions of Philip and his colleagues in handling one of Minnesota’s most tragic and complex cases in recent history.

Aerosol Dust Remover Abuse Trial: Building on the landmark $7.75 million Federal Court jury verdict secured in April 2024, Philip and his team achieved a total judgment of nearly $10.5 million against CRC Industries for its failure to prevent the foreseeable misuse of its aerosol dust remover product. The verdict follows the 2019 death of a woman who was killed in a vehicle crash after an individual who huffed CRC Duster struck her car head-on. With Philip serving as co-lead counsel, this is believed to be the first dust remover case of its kind to go to trial.

Wellstone Plane Crash: Philip worked on the team representing the family of the late U.S. Sen. Paul Wellstone and others following a plane crash that killed the lawmaker and members of his family and staff.

Trial of Cirrus Plane Crash: Philip secured a $7.4 million jury verdict on behalf of a widow and her children for the wrongful death of a 51-year-old man killed in a Cirrus plane crash in Northern Minnesota. Unfortunately for the fatherless family, the verdict was later overturned by the Minnesota Supreme Court.

Industrial Accident: Philip secured a settlement for a 32-year-old male who suffered an industrial accident that left him with third-degree burns on over 70% of his body. The injured man settled with defendants for $15.4 million.

Spinal Cord Injury Accident: Working with outside co-counsel, Philip reached a $14.5 million settlement at early mediation on behalf of a 43-year-old man who sustained a severe spinal cord injury in a fall. The settlement was reached less than one year after Philip was retained.

Methadone-Related Car Accident: Philip represented the families of two young men killed in a traffic collision caused by a methadone-impaired driver.  After a motion to dismiss, the families’ claims against the methadone clinic for negligent practices went forward following a “first-of-its-kind” ruling in Minnesota, in which the district court found that the clinic had a duty to protect the public from its improper treatment practices. After over two years of litigation and two weeks before trial, the clinic agreed to confess judgment, be adjudicated negligent, and to assign all claims against its insurance companies. The judgments amounted to $8.5 million.

$5M Confidential Settlement: Represented a 71-year-old man injured in a semi vs. SUV collision in Northwestern Minnesota.

Trial of the Holidazzle Parade Disaster: In December 1998, an out-of-control vehicle killed and seriously wounded numerous spectators in the crowd gathered on Minneapolis' Nicollet Mall to watch the Holidazzle Parade. Philip co-represented several of the injured survivors of this tragedy, including a young girl who lost her arm. After a six-week trial, the jury returned a verdict of $3.8 million for the little girl whose arm was amputated, with most of the money set aside so she could receive artificial limbs and medical care for her lifetime.

Automobile Collision Settlement: In 2007, a 63-year-old woman was severely injured when a vehicle crossed the center line on a rural two-lane road and struck her car. The collision left the woman injured with multiple fractures across her whole body. After developing an infection, her left arm had to be amputated below the elbow. Philip secured a $3.8 million settlement to cover the woman's medical expenses and allowed the creation of a plan to help her adapt to her life-altering injuries.

Fire and Explosion Accident: Philip Sieff and Jason Pfeiffer reached a partial settlement of $3.4 million for a man who was burned in a dust explosion at a Midwest manufacturing facility.

Red Lake High School Shooting: On March 21, 2005, a 16-year-old went on a shooting rampage at a high school on the Red Lake Indian Reservation in northern Minnesota and ten people died. Philip represented the families of five children who died in the shooting and four of the children who were wounded. Philip worked for several years to secure justice for the victims of this tragedy. Compensation came in the form of confidential monetary settlements with the Red Lake School District and a private company that provided the school with security consulting services. Those settlements provided funds used in part for health care expenses and post-secondary education.

Fatal Car Accident: Philip settled a case involving the wrongful death of a 22-year-old female resulting from a motor vehicle accident. A pre-suit settlement with defendants was secured for $1,630,000.

Workplace Injury Settlement: Obtained a settlement with a total value of $1,575,000 for a man whose foot was crushed in a workplace incident.

Wrongful Death of a Teenager: The family of a 13-year-old who died from injuries sustained in a single car motor vehicle crash retained Philip to pursue a wrongful death claim against the driver of the car. Philip was able to settle the case for $1,500,000, with much of the settlement being used for charitable purposes by the family of the deceased teenager.

Wrongful Death of a Senior Citizen: Philip represented the family of a 75-year-old woman who was a passenger in a vehicle which was rear-ended by a school bus. The case settled for $900,000 while a motion for punitive damages against the bus company was pending.

Workplace Injury Verdict: In November 2009, an operator of an excavator hit a young laborer with a 2,000 pound excavator bucket, resulting in a pelvic injury that improved without long-term problems. In Duluth, MN a jury returned a verdict in favor of Philip’s client, including $250,000 in punitive damages.

Catastrophic Injury to a Toddler: Philip co-represented a two-year-old who was a passenger in a daycare provider’s vehicle which slid off the road and hit a light pole. The toddler sustained a severe traumatic brain injury. The settlement will be used for the toddler’s long-term health needs.

Wrongful Death of Grandmother and Grandson: A 14-year-old and his 65-year-old grandmother were in a car in Duluth, MN, which was hit by a drunk driver. The grandmother died in the crash, while the 14-year-old boy died one year later following brain surgery as a result of the incident.

Wrongful Death Settlement: The widow and two adult sons of a former law enforcement official who died in a single car collision were represented by Philip in suit brought against a bar for allegedly over-serving alcohol to the deceased. The case was resolved on a confidential basis before trial.

Wrongful Death of an Infant: A three-month-old baby boy died from alleged positional asphyxia while in licensed daycare after the daycare provider put the infant to sleep on an adult bed and not on his back, in violation of Minnesota law. The parents of the infant were able to settle their claim for wrongful death with the insurer for the daycare paying full policy limits.

Press Releases

Philip has received both local and national recognition for his commitment to clients and justice.

• Listed in "500 Leading Litigators in America," Lawdragon (2025)
• Listed in "500 Leading Plaintiff Consumer Lawyers," Lawdragon (2025-2021 and 2019)
• Listed in The Best Lawyers in America (2025-2012)
• Named "Outstanding Trial Lawyer of the Year," Minnesota Association for Justice (2024)
• Named to “The POWER 30: Personal Injury Law” list, Minnesota Lawyer (2024–2023)
• Recipient of the “Minnesota Legal ICON Award” by Finance & Commerce and Minnesota Lawyer (2024)
• Named an "Attorney of the Year," Minnesota Lawyer (2024)
• Named to the "Minnesota Super Lawyers Top 100" list, Super Lawyers (2024, 2022, 2020-2016)
• Named to "Top Lawyers List," Minnesota Monthly (2024)
• Named a "Minnesota Super Lawyer," Super Lawyers (2023-2000)
• Named "Lawyer of the Year," The Best Lawyers in America (2021)
• Named a "Plaintiff's Lawyer Trailblazer," The National Law Journal (2019)
• Named one of "America's Top 100 High Stakes Litigators" by America's Top 100 Attorneys (2017)
• Named to the “Circle of Excellence” by Minnesota Lawyer, honoring the multiple years the publication has named him an “Attorney of the Year” (2016, 2008)
• Named a “North Star Lawyer” by the Minnesota State Bar Association for providing at least 50 hours of pro bono legal services
• Elected to the American Board of Trial Advocates, Minnesota Chapter (2014)
• Named one of "Minnesota's Best Lawyers," Best Lawyers in America and Minnesota Monthly (2013)
• Named a "Litigation Star," Benchmark Litigation (2013 Edition)
• Named a "Top Rated Lawyer in Personal Injury Law," American Lawyer Media (2013)
• Recipient of the "Leadership & Service Alumni Award," Cornell College (2012)
• "Distinguished Alumni Award," Mitchell Hamline University School of Law (2011)
• Recipient of the "Arthur von Briesen Award," National Legal Aid and Defender Association, in recognition of his work following the I-35W Bridge Collapse (2010)
• "Professional Excellence Award," Minnesota State Bar Association, which is awarded to a group of lawyers who represented survivors of the I-35W Bridge Collapse on a pro bono basis (2009)
• Recipient of the second annual "Pro Bono Award" from the American Association for Justice for securing a bridge fund for the victims, as well as assisting the investigation into the cause of the I-35W Bridge Collapse (2009)
• Designated as Co-Lead Counsel for the I-35W Pro Bono Consortium
• Selected as a Litigation Counsel of America Fellow, a peer-selected, honorary society of high-caliber trial lawyers

Speeches

• Messaging Your Case for the Jury and the Media
  Robins Kaplan LLP 2022 Trial Advocacy Seminar, Minneapolis, Minnesota (December 15, 2022)
• Flipping the Defense Turning the Truckers Defense Into Your Best Case
  North Dakota Association for Justice (October 1, 2018)
• Methadone and Opiate Addiction Is the Cure as Bad as the Disease
  South Dakota Trial Lawyers Association, Larchwood, South Dakota (May 11, 2017)
• The I35W Bridge
  University of Minnesota Law School, Minneapolis, Minnesota (November 16, 2016)
• Methadone and Opiate Addiction Is the Cure as Bad as the Disease
  Robins Kaplan Trial Advocacy Seminar, Minneapolis, Minnesota (October 13, 2016)
• Maximizing Damages Seminar
  Minnesota Association for Justice (October 1, 2013)
• Representing People of Color: Lessons Learned from The Red Lake School Shooting, The I-35W Bridge Collapse, and Other Catastrophic Events
  North Dakota Association for Justice (May 1, 2013)
• Lessons Learned: Red Lake Shooting
  Minnesota Association for Justice (February 1, 2013)
• Maximizing Wrongful Death Damages
  Minnesota Association for Justice (January 1, 2012)
• Trials – How to Make or Break Your Case
  Minnesota Attorney General’s Office (June 7, 2011)
• Litigating Mass Tort Cases
  Hispanic National Bar Association, Minneapolis, Minnesota (September 8, 2010)
• Subrogation Seminar
  Minnesota Association for Justice (December 15, 2008)
• Physical Injuries, Loss of Physical Capabilities, Pain and Suffering
  Minnesota State Bar Association (December 15, 2008)
• National Business Institute (January 15, 2004)
• Advanced Legal Training Course Personal Injury
  NALS, The Association for Legal Professionals (January 14, 2003)
• The Evidence Factor Spoliation of Evidence
  Minnesota State Bar Association (January 12, 2003)
• The Holidazzle Parade Trial An Examination
  Minnesota Trial Lawyer Association Convention (January 14, 2002)
• Mold Why Mold Why Now Evaluating the Case A Reality Check
  Minnesota State Bar Association (January 12, 2002)

Media Mentions

• “The 2025 Lawdragon 500 Leading Plaintiff Consumer Lawyers,” Lawdragon (February 28, 2025)
• "Philip Sieff and Tara Sutton | McDougall v. CRC Industries | $7.75 Million," The Great Trials Podcast (February 18, 2025)
• "2024 Attorneys of the Year: McDougall v. CRC Industries, Inc. et al.," Minnesota Lawyer (February 7, 2025)
• "Over two dozen alumni honored as Attorneys of the Year," Mitchell Hamline School of Law (January 17, 2025)
• "Let’s Hear It One Last Time!: One More Bow for 2024’s Litigators of the Week," Law.com (December 27, 2024)
• “In $10.5M Case, Judge Holds That Global Air Duster Producer was Liable For Minnesota Woman’s Death,” The Forum (December 16, 2024)
• “Minnesota Icons 2024: Philip Sieff,” Finance & Commerce (December 13, 2024)
• "Aerosol Duster Company Must Pay $10.5M Over Woman's Crash Death," Bring Me The News (December 7, 2024)
• "Total Judgment Nearly $10M in Aerosol Abuse Case," Minnesota Lawyer (December 6, 2024)
• "The Power 30: Philip Sieff, Robins Kaplan LLP," Minnesota Lawyer (July 22, 2024)
• "Litigators of the Week: Robins Kaplan Wins First Trial Against Aerosol Dust Remover Maker," AmLaw Litigation Daily, (May 3, 2024)
• "Company Faces $7.75M Verdict in Crash Death Caused by Huffing Aerosol," Minnesota Lawyer (May 3, 2024)
• "Historic $7.8M Jury Award in Death of Minnesotan Struck by Driver Who Was High From Huffing Aerosol," Star Tribune (May 2, 2024)
• "Jury Holds Company Liable After Air-Duster Product Found Partially Responsible in Vehicle Crash Death," WDAY Radio (May 2, 2024)
• "Jury Awards Family Nearly $8M After Deadly Crash Blamed on Huffing Dust Cleaner," Inforum (May 1, 2024)
• "$7.75M Verdict in Minnesota Case Against Aerosol Duster Maker," Bring Me The News (May 1, 2024)
• "Dust Spray Maker Hit With $7.75M Verdict Over Fatal DUI," Law360 (April 30, 2024)
• "Aerosol Dust Remover Company to Pay $7.75 Million After Fatal Crash in Northern Minnesota," Valley News Live (April 30, 2024)
• "Compressed-Gas Maker Can't Evade 'Whip-It' Crash Death Suit," Law360 (June 14, 2023)
• "Dusting Dangers with Phil Sieff," Landmark Recovery, Podcast (April 11, 2023)
• "What Is Dusting?," Treatment Magazine (November 3, 2022)
• "Duluth woman paralyzed by driver impaired from huffing sues aerosol cleaner manufacturer 3M," Fox9 Minneapolis-St. Paul (December 18, 2019)
• "Worker burned in explosion at Minneapolis industrial building files lawsuit," FOX 9 Minneapolis-St. Paul (April 11, 2019)
• "Attorneys of the Year: Philip Sieff," Minnesota Lawyer (February 20, 2017)
• "Lawsuit targets methadone clinic for driver’s actions in fatal Carlton County crash," Pine Journal (August 29, 2014)
• "Xcel settles with family in Fargo house explosion," Grand Forks Herald (October 19, 2009)