- Affirmative Recovery
- Alternative Dispute Resolution
- American Indian Law and Policy
- Antitrust and Trade Regulation
- Appellate Advocacy and Guidance
- Business Litigation
- Civil Rights and Police Misconduct
- Class Action Litigation
- Commercial/Project Finance and Real Estate
- Corporate Governance and Special Situations
- Corporate Restructuring and Bankruptcy
- Domestic and International Arbitration
- Ediscovery
- Health Care Litigation
- Insurance and Catastrophic Loss
- Intellectual Property and Technology Litigation
- Litigation Support Services
- Mass Tort Attorneys
- Medical Malpractice Attorneys
- Personal Injury Attorneys
- Telecommunications Litigation and Arbitration
- Wealth Planning, Administration, and Disputes
-
September 22, 2020New York Law Journal Recognizes Hollis Salzman as a Trailblazer
-
September 18, 2020Teresa Fariss Mcclain Recognized as Woman worth Watching by Profiles in Diversity Journal
-
September 17, 2020Robins Kaplan LLP Files New Lawsuit Against Delbarton School and the Order of St. Benedict of New Jersey on behalf of Survivors of Child Sex Abuse
-
September 29, 2020The Profound Importance of Authentic Leadership, Especially During a Crisis
-
September 29, 2020Turnaround Management Association (TMA) IMPACT 2020 Global Conference
-
September 30, 2020From Contract to Courtroom: Lessons Learned in Contract Litigation and Trials
-
Summer 2020Following a Varied Legal Career, Judge Jonathan Kobes Begins on the Eighth Circuit
-
September 22, 2020Herbal Patent Protection
-
August 24, 2020Hot off the Presses: California Further Regulates Out-of-State Adjusters in the Wake of Record-Breaking Catastrophic Losses
Find additional firm contact information for press inquiries.
Read our attorneys' take on the latest news and trends in the legal and business industries.
Tara D. Sutton
Tara D. Sutton
Partner
Chair, National Mass Tort Group;
Member of the Executive Board
Member of the Executive Board
Experience
- Chair of Mass Tort Litigation Group
- Trial practice focusing on representing individuals harmed by the pharmaceutical and medical device industry
- Court-appointed settlement counsel in Abilify Multi-District Litigation, MDL No. 2734 (N.D.Fl.)
- Tribal Leadership Committee In re: National Prescription Opiate Litigation, MDL No. 2804 (E.D. Ohio)
- Plaintiffs’ Executive Committee and Co-Chair of Plaintiffs’ Science and Expert Committee, Benicar Multi-District Litigation, MDL No. 2606 (D.N.J.)
- Member, Plaintiffs’ Steering Committee, New Jersey Consolidated Stryker Rejuvenate Hip Stem and ABGII Modular Hip Stem Litigation.
- Plaintiffs’ Executive Committee and Chair of Plaintiffs’ Science and Expert Committee, Chantix Multi-District Litigation, MDL No. 2092 (N.D.Ala.)
- Lead trial counsel in Mirapex Multi-District Litigation, MDL No. 1836 (D.Minn.)
- Member, Law and Motions Committee, DePuy ASR Multi-District Litigation.
- Member, Science Committee and Discovery Committee, Vioxx Multi-District Litigation.
Member of plaintiffs’ negotiating committee in Benicar litigation that resulted in a settlement fund of $358 million.
Represented clients in the New Jersey Multi-County Stryker Rejuvenate and ABG II Modular Hip Stem litigation, including two Plaintiffs who resolved their cases through the NJ Court’s bellwether mediation program. Assisted in developing a global settlement program for both the multi-county litigation and the federal multi-district litigation, a program valued at over $1 billion. Appointed to the settlement negotiation team and will serve as a member of the Plaintiffs’ Settlement Oversight Committee.
Lead counsel in Daubert proceedings in Abilify, Chantix, and Mirapex product liability litigations, successfully defeating defendants’’ challenges to plaintiffs’ scientific experts on causation
Trial Counsel in Charbonneau v. Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals, Inc. and Pfizer, Inc. Represented plaintiffs in first Mirapex products liability bellwether trial. On July 30, 2008, jury returned a verdict in favor of plaintiffs for $8,279,300, including $7.8 million in punitive damages for failing to warn of risk of compulsive behaviors, including pathological gambling, from the Parkinson’s drug Mirapex.
Trial Counsel in Zwayer v. Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals, Inc. and Pfizer, Inc. Represented plaintiffs in second Mirapex bellwether trial. Case was confidentially settled prior to closing argument.
Confidentially settled more than 280 Mirapex cases represented by Robins Kaplan LLP during Fall of 2008.
Lead trial counsel in first two Chantix MDL bellwether trials; confidentially settled prior to trial, leading to settlement of entire MDL.
Trial counsel, State of Minnesota and Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Minnesota v. Philip Morris, et al. In May 1998, the case settled after a four month trial when Tobacco Companies agreed to pay the State and Blue Cross & Blue Shield more than $6.6 billion.
- Named as one of the “Elite Women of the Plaintiff’s Bar,” National Law Journal (2018)
- Presidents Award, Public Justice Foundation (2018)
- Named "MVP" for Product Liability, Law360 (2015, 2017)
- Named a "Litigation Trailblazer," The National Law Journal (2017)
- Listed in "500 Leading Lawyers in America," Lawdragon (2016-2020)
- Recognized by Best Lawyers as the Mass Tort Litigation / Class Actions – Plaintiffs “Lawyer of the Year” in Minneapolis (2016, 2018, 2020 editions)
- Listed in The Best Lawyers in America (2016-2021 editions)
- Named "Outstanding Women Lawyer," The National Law Journal (2015)
- Recipient of the "Women in Business Award," Minneapolis/St. Paul Business Journal (2015)
- Named "Woman Worth Watching," Profiles in Diversity Journal (September/October 2014)
- Named "Female Powerbroker," Law360 (March 5, 2014)
- Named a "North Star Lawyer" by the Minnesota State Bar Association for providing at least 50 hours of pro bono legal services (2013-2017)
- Named "Plaintiff Top 150 Women in Litigation," Benchmark Litigation (2013)
- Named a "Litigation Star," Benchmark Litigation (2013 edition)
- Named to the "Top 100 Minnesota Super Lawyers," Super Lawyers (2018-2020)
- Named to the "Top 50 Women Super Lawyers," Minnesota Super Lawyer (2010, 2017-2020)
- Named to the "Top 100 Women Minnesota Super Lawyers," Minnesota Law & Politics (2009)
- Named a "Minnesota Super Lawyer,” Super Lawyers (2009-2020)
- "Member of the Year" award from the Minnesota Trial Lawyers Association in recognition of work performed during the tobacco litigation.
- "Newsmakers '98" award from the Minnesota Women’s Press in recognition of extraordinary action taken in the public arena during 1998 that promotes equality, justice and respect for women.
- Named "40 Under 40" by City Business (2000)
- Public Justice Foundation, Board of Directors (2010-present), Executive Committee (2012-present), Secretary (2013-2014), Treasurer (2014-2015), Vice President (2015-2016), President-Elect (2016-2017), President (2017-2018), Past President (2018)
- Children's Theatre Company, Board of Governors (2011-present), Development Committee (2012-present), Curtain Call Ball Committee (2013-present), Curtain Call Ball Silent Auction Co-Chair (2015)
Bar Admissions
- Minnesota
- U.S. District Court, Minnesota
- U.S. District Court, District of Colorado
- U.S. Court of Appeals, Eighth Circuit
- U.S. Court of Appeals, Federal Circuit
Education
- University of Iowa College of Law, J.D., with honors (1992)
- University of Iowa, B.S., with high honors
Professional Associations
- American Association for Justice (formerly the Association of Trial Lawyers of America)
- American Bar Association
- American Bar Foundation, Fellow
- Federal Bar Association, Minnesota Chapter; Co-Chair, Mass Tort, Multi-District Litigation, and Class Action Practice Group
- Firm’s Professional Development Committee, Co-Chair (2004-2005)
- Hennepin County Bar Association
- Minnesota Association for Justice (formerly Minnesota Trial Lawyers Association), Board of Governors
- Minnesota State Bar Association
- Minnesota Women Lawyers
- Public Citizen
- Public Justice Foundation, Former President
- Journal of Corporation Law, University of Iowa, Editorial Board (2018)
- The Sedona Conference Working Group on Protective Orders, Confidentiality & Public Access (Spring 2004)
- "MVP: Robins Kaplan's Tara Sutton," Law360 (December 21, 2017)
- "The Rustlers Whooped the Rangers," Advocate Capital, Inc. (May 8, 2014)
Webinars
- Understanding the Stryker Settlement Program
The New Jersey Plaintiffs' Steering Committee will be conducting a two-hour webinar on November 18, 2014 at 1:00 P.M. CST/2:00 P.M. EST. The presentation will include information on Eligibility and Participation rates, Enhancements, Future Damages, Deadlines and Funding, Unrevised Cases and Liens. Joining the committee for the liens discussion will be Bob Marcino, Esq. of Providio. (November 18, 2014)
- Benicar Settlement Update
Mass Torts Made Perfect, Las Vegas, Nevada (October 20, 2017) - Benicar Litigation Sprue Like Enteropathy
Mass Torts Made Perfect, Las Vegas, Nevada (October 21, 2016) - Benicar Litigation Sprue Like Enteropathy
Mass Torts Made Perfect, Las Vegas, Nevada (October 21, 2016) - Consumer Watchdogs Drug and Device Litigation
Robins Kaplan Trial Advocacy Seminar, Minneapolis, Minnesota (October 13, 2016) - Benicar Litigation
Mass Torts Made Perfect, Las Vegas, Nevada (October 16, 2015) - Benicar Litigation
American Association for Justice, Montreal, Canada (July 14, 2015) - Stryker Rejuvenate and ABG II Litigation Update
AAJ Annual Convention, Montreal Canada (July 11, 2015) - Benicar Litigation
Panel, Minnesota Association for Justice, Minneapolis, Minnesota (May 15, 2015) - American Association for Justice Education
Plaintiff-Only Hot Topics and Trends in Litigation Seminar, Benicar Presentation, San Diego, California (March 25, 2015) - Benicar Litigation Group Meeting
AAJ Winter Convention, Palm Desert CA (February 24, 2015) - American Association for Justice Education’s Stryker Seminar
New York, New York (December 11, 2014) - American Association for Justice Education’s
Plaintiff-Only Hot Topics and Trends in Litigation Seminar, Benicar Presentation, Charleston, South Carolina (December 3, 2014) - Mass Tort Update
Minnesota Association for Justice Summer Convention, Alexandria, Minnesota (August 15, 2014) - Stryker Rejuvenate and ABGII Litigation Update
American Association for Justice Annual Convention, Baltimore, Maryland (July 26, 2014) - Stryker Rejuvenate and ABG II Hip Implant Litigation Group Meeting
American Association for Justice Winter Convention, New Orleans, Louisiana (February 10, 2014) - 3 Topics How Can My Firm Participate in Mass Torts How to Get Started Hot Cases
Minnesota Mass Torts Conference, St. Paul, Minnesota (December 3, 2013) - DaubertFrye Motions in Product Liability Litigation
Webinar, Strafford (November 5, 2013) - Opening Statements
Ohio Association for Justice, Colorado Trial Lawyers Association, and Workers' Injury Law & Advocacy Group, Steamboat Springs, Colorado (March 11, 2013) - Hot Topics in Pharmaceutical Litigation
Panel, AAJ's Section on Toxic, Environmental, and Pharmaceutical Torts (STEP), Chicago, Illinois (July 30, 2012) - Conference Co-Chair
HB Litigation Conference: Food, Drug and Medical Device Litigation Forum, Minneapolis, Minnesota (April 23, 2012) - The Demise of Multidistrict Litigation: Myth or Reality?
2012 American Association for Justice Winter Convention, Phoenix, Arizona (February 15, 2012) - Taking the Gamble out of Mass Tort Litigation: Jury Focus Groups and the Mirapex Litigation
Minnesota Association for Justice, Alexandria, Minnesota (August 12, 2011) - AAJs Topamax Teleseminar: Injuries and Causation
American Association for Justice (April 6, 2011) - Masters in Trial on Jury Persuasion
American Board of Trial Advocates, Columbus, Ohio (September 10, 2010) - Focus Groups and Development of Themes in the Mirapex Case
American Association for Justice Annual Convention, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada (July 13, 2010) - Preemption in a Post-Levine World
Minnesota Association for Justice, Alexandria, Minnesota (August 14, 2009) - Obstacles to Justice
Iowa Association for Justice Annual Meeting (November 6, 2008) - So You Are in Federal Court Now What
MTLA Summer Convention (August 9, 2007) - Protecting the Public Health Scientific Integrity at Risk
13th Trial Advocacy Seminar (October 26, 2006) - Top 10 Cases You Never Saw Coming-Recognizing Mass Torts
South Dakota Trial Lawyers Association, 2006 Fall Seminar (September 6, 2006) - Defective Drug and Medical Device Litigation
MTLA Annual Convention (August 12, 2006) - Commencement Speech
Hamline University, Paralegal Studies Certificate Program (May 16, 2003) - Formulating a Discovery Plan in Complex Business Litigation Cases
MILE Complex Business Litigation Seminar (March 20, 2001) - Where Theres Smoke Theres Fire An Insiders View of the Minnesota Tobacco Litigation
Association of University Women, Minneapolis, Minnesota (May 26, 1999)
November 18, 2014
RESOURCES
Links to full publications and news releases.
PUBLICATIONS
December 20, 2013
Stryker® Orthopedics Recalls its Rejuvenate® and ABG™ II Modular-Neck Hip Stems
Robins, Kaplan, Miller & Ciresi L.L.P.
Back to Top
Any information that you send us in an e-mail message should not be confidential or otherwise privileged information. Sending us an e-mail message will not make you a client of Robins Kaplan LLP. We do not accept representation until we have had an opportunity to evaluate your matter, including but not limited to an ethical evaluation of whether we are in a conflict position to represent you. Accordingly, the information you provide to us in an e-mail should not be information for which you would have an expectation of confidentiality.
If you are interested in having us represent you, you should call us so we can determine whether the matter is one for which we are willing or able to accept professional responsibility. We will not make this determination by e-mail communication. The telephone numbers and addresses for our offices are listed on this page. We reserve the right to decline any representation. We may be required to decline representation if it would create a conflict of interest with our other clients.
By accepting these terms, you are confirming that you have read and understood this important notice.
If you are interested in having us represent you, you should call us so we can determine whether the matter is one for which we are willing or able to accept professional responsibility. We will not make this determination by e-mail communication. The telephone numbers and addresses for our offices are listed on this page. We reserve the right to decline any representation. We may be required to decline representation if it would create a conflict of interest with our other clients.
By accepting these terms, you are confirming that you have read and understood this important notice.