Best's Recommended Insurance Attorneys - General Defense
- Telephone: 218-722-4766
- Fax: 218-529-2401
- E-Mail: firm@hanftlaw.com
- Website: www.hanftlaw.com
Established: 1899
Practice Areas
- Insurance Law
- Tort Litigation
- Employment Practices Liability
- Professional Malpractice
- Trial Practice
- Probate Litigation
- Trust and Estate Litigation
- Commercial Litigation
- Municipal Litigation
- Real Estate Litigation
About Us
Established in 1899, Hanft Fride has broad transactional and litigation practices. Our active trial practice encompasses professional liability, labor, employment, construction law, commercial, real estate, products liability, probate/trust, and personal injury matters.
Client Information
Insurance Clients
Personnel Information
Retired
- John D. Kelly
- Robin C. Merritt
Litigation Attorneys
R. Thomas Torgerson
Duluth, MN
- Telephone: 218-722-4766
- E-Mail: rtt@hanftlaw.com
Years of Experience: 35
Admitted
- Minnesota, 1985
- Wisconsin
- U.S. District Court, District of Minnesota, 1985
- U.S. Court of Appeals, Eighth Circuit, 1992
- U.S. District Court, Western District of Wisconsin, 1999
- U.S. District Court, Western District of Michigan, 2012
Memberships:
- American, Minnesota State and Eleventh District Bar Associations
- State Bar of Wisconsin
- Minnesota Defense Lawyers Association
- Defense Research Institute
Education:
- University of Wisconsin, B.A. (with distinction), 1981
- University of Wisconsin, J.D. (cum laude), 1985
Born: 1958
Scott A. Witty
Duluth, MN
- Telephone: 218-722-4766
- E-Mail: saw@hanftlaw.com
Years of Experience: 17
Admitted
- Minnesota, 2006
- Wisconsin, 2012
- U.S. District Court, District of Minnesota, 2008
- U.S. District Court, Western District of Michigan, 2012
- U.S. District Court, Western District of Wisconsin, 2015
- U.S. Court of Appeals, Eighth Circuit, 2015
Memberships:
- Minnesota State and Eleventh District Bar Associations
- Defense Research Institute
- Minnesota Defense Lawyers Association
Education:
- Gustavus Adolphus College, B.A. (magna cum laude), 2003
- Hamline University School of Law, J.D. (cum laude), 2006
Born: 1981
Associate Attorneys
Jesse W. Smith
Duluth, MN
- Telephone: 218-722-4766
- E-Mail: jws@hanftlaw.com
Years of Experience: 2
Admitted
- Minnesota, 2022
Education:
- University of Minnesota Twin Cities, B.A., 2018
- University of Minnesota Law School, J.D., 2022
Born: 1996
Amalia B. Ellison
Duluth, MN
- Telephone: 218-722-4766
- E-Mail: abe@hanftlaw.com
Years of Experience: 2
Admitted
- Minnesota, 2024
Education:
- University of Minnesota, B.A., 2003
- New School for Social Research, M.F.A., 2007
- Rutgers University School of Law, J.D., 2022
Born: 1980
Caroline Prince
Duluth, MN
- E-Mail: CRP@hanftlaw.com
Years of Experience: 3
Admitted
- Minnesota, 2025
- Texas
Memberships:
- Minnesota State Bar Association
- State Bar of Texas
Education:
- Austin College, B.A., 2016
- University of St. Thomas School of Law, J.D., 2021
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