Michael M. Carter

Stillwater, MN 763-***-**** ac5dkm@r.postjobfree.com

Attorney at Law

General Counsel Litigation Attorney Managing Attorney

Professional Summary:

Offering 30 years of progressive in-depth experience as general counsel, corporate claim counsel and in private practice.

Streamline operations through outstanding case law analysis, contract and policy interpretation, policy and legal document drafting, complex litigation management, conflict resolution, regulator interaction, and government relations for claim professionals, corporate clients, and business executives.

Champion clients by identifying their needs and passionately representing client interests, working diligently to analyze case merits, minimize risk and propel resolutions to complex legal matters.

Proven success achieving case dismissals, summary judgments, advantageous settlements and favorable verdicts.

Highly experienced negotiator with outstanding communication techniques and in-depth knowledge and proficiency in negotiations and court arguments.

Highly successful leader, manager, and advisor of attorneys, assistants, support & administrative staff.

Expert contract and insurance policy analyst.

Successful communicator, collaborator and mentor.

Areas of Expertise:

Litigation Strategy & Management

Strategic Planning & Execution

Regulatory Interaction/Compliance

Team Leadership & Training

Contract negotiation and analysis

Legal Research & Documentation

Client Advocacy Expertise

Internal Investigation/Compliance

Complex Dispute Resolution

Alternative Dispute Resolution

Risk identification and avoidance

Insurance Claims Law

Investigative Planning/Analysis

Coverage and contract analysis

Career Experience

Supervising Claim Attorney 2015 – 2018

Minnesota Lawyers Mutual Insurance Company

Effectively managed and directed a group of attorneys responsible for analyzing, investigating, managing, and resolving legal malpractice and ethics claims made against MLM’s insured attorneys. I was responsible for achieving favorable results of complex, high exposure, and sensitive legal matters by providing sophisticated coverage analysis, risk analysis, and legal guidance to MLM’s legal staff and outside counsel. I collaborated with business partners by providing risk control advice and drafting new products and policy language utilized by MLM’s underwriters and business development groups. I engaged and managed outside counsel in the defense of MLM’s insured and advised business clients regarding legally significant and complex matters.

Selected Qualifications:

Focus on the resolution of insurance coverage matters, effectively advising insurers from inception through completion of a claim while participating in settlement negotiations and management of litigation matters.

Successful resolution of hundreds of legal malpractice and ethics claims under a variety of professional liability policies covering directors and officers, attorneys, real estate agents and brokers, design professionals, and employment practices.

Adept in the cultivation of client relationships, assessment and evaluation of cases, and prioritizing work load and projects.

Serve clients in a variety of cases, successfully investigating and resolving legal disputes through conflict resolution, negotiations, claim settlements, litigation, and a focus on management of cases from inception through completion.

Advocate of client welfare, demonstrating expertise in case merit analysis, risk minimization, and employing beneficial resolutions to complex legal issues.

Analyze coverage, develop litigation management plans in association with outside defense counsel, attend mediations and trials, and effectuate proper, fair and reasonable resolutions to each case.

Draft policy language and new insurance products.

Effectively collaborate with and manage outside counsel in the defense of MLM clients’ litigation.

Litigation Attorney 2011 – 2015

HKM Law Firm

Excelled as a complex litigation attorney practicing in state and federal courts in the areas of contract disputes, insurance coverage, insurance bad faith defense, civil RICO and fraud litigation, liability defense, products liability, and general civil matters. Efficiently prepared and tried firm’s litigation including drafting all forms of pleadings, conducting motion practice, drafting legal documents, advising clients, and conducting settlement negotiations.

Selected Qualifications:

Personally handled and litigated all civil matters from inception to resolution, advocating on behalf of clients in every aspect of the contested litigation process, including drafting motions and pleadings, conducting and responding to discovery, negotiating agreed dispositions and representing clients in required hearings and trials.

Well organized and successfully managed large caseload and multiple tasks under tight court-imposed deadlines.

Excellent ability to research and analyze substantive legal issues and apply innovative use of case law, and legal theories to achieve successful results in difficult cases involving complex issues.

Pursue complex Civil RICO and Fraud actions on behalf of large national insurance company.

General Counselor 2006 – 2011

Travelers Twin Cities Claim Center, St. Paul, Minnesota

Provided direction and management offering strategic legal advice, developing governance procedures, deciding the appropriate course of action, determining risks, monitoring issues, liaising with stakeholders and business partners, and maintaining their knowledge of relevant administrative and legal changes through extensive counseling experience, legal knowledge, financial acumen, analytical thinking, professional ethics, and integrity. Managed litigation and provided coverage analysis and advice related to multiple lines of business.

Selected Qualifications:

Member of the Executive Management Team responsible for the financial success of a regional claim center for Travelers Insurance Company.

Analyzed and resolved consumer and regulatory complaints, tracked legislative, regulatory, and legal changes and issues. Led internal committees, provided training to claim center professionals and business partners, led round table discussions and responded to executive complaints.

Provided general legal counsel and guidance to the Claim Center Vice President, the leaders of all major business lines, unit managers, business partners and claim professionals.

Counseled claim professionals to develop claim management and resolution strategy in all aspects of the claim process. Participated in recruiting, hiring, managing, and evaluating the claim center’s professional talent.

Offered contract interpretations and handled contract disputes involving agents, brokers, clients, and insureds, as well as policy coverage analysis and review for property, general liability, and workers compensation lines of business.

Reviewed and drafted legal documents including contracts, leases, license agreements, releases, waivers, pleadings, and mediation materials.

Contract review and coverage analysis.

Successful resolution of hundreds of claims under a variety of professional liability policies covering directors and officers, attorneys, real estate agents and brokers, design professionals, and employment practices.

Additional Experience

Senior Counsel National Coverage Program St. Paul Travelers, St. Paul, MN 2000 – 2006: Provided contract and coverage analysis for claim personnel across multiple jurisdictions and multiple lines of business including general commercial, property, professional errors and omissions (attorney malpractice, directors and officers e&o, and agent e&o), medical, construction, construction defect, public sector, commercial auto, surplus lines, and specialty lines. Managed outside counsel hired to defend St. Paul/Travelers in coverage related litigation.

Professional Errors & Omissions Attorney St. Paul Fire & Marine Insurance Company, St. Paul, MN 1996 – 2000: Investigated, Manage, and directed litigation process for attorney malpractice actions and director and officer’s litigation, consistently providing legal counsel and advice for business partners regarding policy terms to prevent and solve problems and issues raised by clients and others.

Associate Attorney/County Attorney Various Law Firms 1988 – 1996: Assistant District attorney and Litigation attorney practicing in a multitude of arenas, including: arson, insurance fraud, policy coverage and interpretation, employment, corporate law, criminal and family law, and juvenile cases.

Educational Background & Licensing

Juris Doctorate Cum Laude Law Review Moot Court Hamline University School of Law St. Paul, MN

Bachelor of Arts, Political Science Dean’s List University of Minnesota Minneapolis, MN

Minnesota Bar 1988

Wisconsin Bar 1994

Professional Associations

Ramsey County Bar Association

Minnesota Defense Lawyers Association

Minnesota State Bar Association

Professional Liability Defense Federation

Wisconsin State Bar Association

Volunteer Positions

Fourth District Ethics Committee Investigator April 2017 - Present

Stillwater Girls High School Hockey Booster Club Fund Raising Chair April 2013 - 2016

Stillwater Area Hockey Association Director of Girl’s Hockey March 2008 - 2012

U14 Coordinator March 2006 - 2008

Head Coach - U10 Girls 2005 - 2008

Head Coach U12 Girls 2008 - 2010

Head Coach U14 Girls 2010 - 2012

St. Croix Valley Athletic Association Head Coach Youth Soccer Head Coach Youth Softball

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