Richard D. Snyder

Overview Rick is a civil litigator representing businesses and individuals in a wide variety of commercial disputes. He also has a substantial appellate practice, and is the Chair of Fredriksons Appellate Group. Among his specialty areas of practice, Rick represents individuals and companies in environmental disputes and insurance coverage disputes. Rick also specializes in representing landowners in disputes with governmental entities and others over land use rights. Each year Rick volunteers a substantial amount of time to represent indigent clients on a pro bono basis. Services Insurance Coverage Litigation Appellate Environmental Law Real Estate Litigation Litigation Energy Litigation Show More Show Less Experience Environmental Compliance and Litigation CERCLA/MERLA Litigation Superfund Litigation Represent RPRs in state and federal Superfund cases Cost Recovery Represent municipality in ongoing litigation against U. S. Army regarding funding for treatment systems to remove legacy contaminants from arsenal operations from municipal drinking water supply Represent landowner plaintiffs in state court jury trial under Minnesota Environmental Response and Liability Act Compliance Enforcement Proceedings Represent clients responding to NOVs and other regulatory enforcement Negotiate stipulated penalties Respond to CAA Section 114 information requests Negotiate air permit modifications Internal investigations and self-audits Develop internal environmental compliance programs Selected Insurance Coverage Cases Damman v. Progressive Direct Ins. Co., 856 F.3d 580 (8th Cir. 2017): Class action alleging improper claim payments under auto insurance policies. In Re Pet Food Product Liability Litigation, MDL Docket No. 1850: Insurance coverage for $25 million settlement of thousands of consolidated pet food product liability claims. Bright Woods v. Bankers Standard Ins. Co., 665 N. W.2d 544 (Minn. Ct. App. 2003): Insurance coverage action for recovery of $8 million incurred in recall of defective window components. David Matthew, MD v. Unum Life Insurance Co. of America, 639 F.3d 857 (8th Cir. 2011): Following a jury trial obtained $1.5 million judgment against disability insurer. Lakeland Pipeline Co. v. American Home Assur. Co., 981 F. Supp. 1205 (D. Minn. 1997): Insurance coverage for $25 million property damage and business interruption claim following the rupture of a major petroleum pipeline. JBA International, Inc. v. St. Paul Mercury Fire Ins. Co., No. 01-297 JNE/JGL, 01-2161 (D. Minn.): Multi-million dollar coverage and bad faith action against technology errors and omissions insurer for recovery of defense expenses, settlements and damages related to underlying lawsuits against software developer. In re Silicone Implant Ins. Coverage Litigation, 652 N. W.2d 46 (Minn. Ct. App. 2002) affd in part, 667 N. W.2d 405 (Minn. 2003): Represented insurers in $1 billion coverage action for manufacturers liabilities for silicone breast implants. Old Republic Insurance Co. v. Thomas Pearson, et al., Court File No. 04-1398 JNE/RLE (D. Minn.): Coverage and bad faith action against aviation insurer following its refusal to cover claim by injured children who survived a plane crash. Insurer settled action by payment of a confidential sum representing amounts owned under policy and additional damages. Selected Land Use Cases EHW Properties v. City of Eagan, U. S. District Court, District of Minnesota, Case No. 00-CV-690 (JMR/FLN): Takings claim and challenge to Citys action of downzoning clients property from commercial to single-family residential zoning classification. City settled prior to trial by restoring prior zoning and paying damages. Minnesota Center for Environmental Advocacy v. City of St. Paul Park, 711 N. W.2d 526 (Minn. App. 2006): Defeated challenge by environmental group to 665-acre multi-use housing project on Mississippi River. Selected Appellate Cases Damman v. Progressive Direct Ins. Co., 856 F.3d 580 (8th Cir. 2017): Affirmed dismissal of class action lawsuit against automobile insurer alleging improper application of deductibles in claim payments. Jerrys Enterprises Inc. v. U. S. Specialty Ins. Co., 845 F.3d 883 (8th Cir. 2017): Affirmed summary judgment in insurance coverage dispute concerning D&O insurance. Northwestern Mut. Ins. Co. v. Weiher, 809 F.3d 394 (8th Cir. 2015): Reversed summary judgment in disability insurance dispute. Matthew v. Unum Life Ins. Co. of America, 639 F.3d 857 (8th Cir. 2011): Affirmed jury verdict in disability insurance claim. Capital Computer Group v. Gray Ins. Co., (11th Cir. 2011): Affirmed Miller Act claim against surety. OHagan v. United States of America, 86 F.3d 776 (8th Cir. 1996): Tax litigation. Wixon Jewelers vs. Di-Star, Ltd., 218 F.3d 913 (8th Cir. 2000): Distributor termination and franchise litigation. Credentials Education William Mitchell College of Law, J. D., 1988, cum laude University of Minnesota, B. A., 1982, Urban Affairs Admissions Minnesota Minnesota Supreme Court, 1988 U. S. District Court for the District of Minnesota, 1989 U. S. Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit, 1995 U. S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit, 2015 U. S. Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit, 2008 U. S. Supreme Court, 1995 Clerkships Judicial Clerkship, Chief Justice Douglas K. Amdahl and Justice A. M. (Sandy) Keith, Minnesota Supreme Court, 1988-89 Recognition AV Preeminent® Peer Review Rated, Martindale-Hubbell, 2023 North Star Lawyer, Minnesota State Bar Association, 2012, 2015-2023 Civic & Professional Professional Activities Minnesota Supreme Court, Advisory Committee on the Rules of Civil Appellate Procedure Minnesota State Bar Association, Appellate Practice Section, Governing Council Minnesota State Bar Association, Court Rules and Administration Committee American Bar Association, Appellate Practice, Subcommittee of the Section of Litigation Hennepin County Bar Association, Insurance, Environmental Law and Civil Litigation Committees Minnesota Land Trust, Board Member William Mitchell Law Review, 1986-87 News & Insights Firm News09.26.2024Childrens Law Center of Minnesota Honors Fredrikson with 2024 Distinguished Service Award Firm News06.24.2024Fredrikson Attorneys Recognized as 2023 North Star Lawyers Firm News06.26.2023Fredrikson Attorneys Recognized as 2022 North Star Lawyers News Firm News09.26.2024Childrens Law Center of Minnesota Honors Fredrikson with 2024 Distinguished Service Award Firm News06.24.2024Fredrikson Attorneys Recognized as 2023 North Star Lawyers Firm News06.26.2023Fredrikson Attorneys Recognized as 2022 North Star Lawyers Firm News06.16.2022Fredrikson Attorneys Recognized as 2021 North Star Lawyers Firm News05.26.2021Fredrikson Attorneys Recognized as 2020 North Star Lawyers Firm News06.10.2020Fredrikson Attorneys Recognized as 2019 North Star Lawyers Firm News07.30.2019Fredrikson Attorneys Recognized as 2018 North Star Lawyers Firm News06.20.2018Fredrikson Attorneys Recognized as 2017 North Star Lawyers Firm News05.18.2017Fredrikson Attorneys Recognized as 2016 North Star Lawyers Firm News05.05.2016Fredrikson Attorneys Recognized as 2015 North Star Lawyers Legal Updates Legal Update03.01.2017Financial Institution Bond May Cover Losses from Fraudulent Wire Transfers - Even Where Bank Employees Are at Fault Show More Show Less