Richard T. Thomson

Richard T. Thomson has successfully litigated hundreds of disputes in Minnesota state and federal courts over the past 30 years. He has extensive experience defending banking clients in retail branch disputes involving deposit accounts and other payment methods, including disputes arising under Articles 3 and 4 of the Uniform Commercial Code (UCC). Dick also represents clients in matters involving banking law, employment litigation and advising, and commercial litigation.

Dick has been a frequent speaker at continuing legal education seminars. He also has published articles and taught courses on banking litigation, legal ethics, employment law, and bankruptcy law.

Representative Matters

• Takuanyi v. Wells Fargo Bank, N.A., No. A18-062 (Minn. App. 2018)
• Northeast Bank v. Wells Fargo Bank, N.A., No. 14-2240 (Eighth Cir. 2015)
• Patrick Finn and Lighthouse Management Group, Inc. v. Alliance Bank, et al., No. A12-1930; A12-2092 (Minn. 2015), amicus curiae
• Wells Fargo Bank, N.A. v. WMR e-PIN, LLC et al., 653 F.3d 702 (Eighth Cir. 2011)
• Boone v. Wells Fargo Bank, N.A., No. 07-3922 (D. Minn. 2009)
• MSK Eyes, Ltd. and Muhannah S. Kakish v. Wells Fargo Bank, N.A., 546 F.3d 533 (Eighth Cir. 2008)
• Clarinda Color, LLC v. Brian Nelson, et al., No. 0:04-cv-4917 (D. Minn. 2006)
• Denelsbeck v. Wells Fargo & Co., a Delaware corporation, d/b/a Wells Fargo Bank, N.A., 666 N.W.2d 339 (Minn. 2003)
• Donald Edward Halla, d/b/a Don Halla Investments v. Norwest Bank Minnesota, N.A., 601 N.W.2d 449 (Minn. Ct. App. 1999)
• Christians v. Crystal Evangelical Free Church, 521 U.S. 1114 (1997)
• Impulse Trading Incorporated vs. Norwest Bank Minnesota, N.A., 907 F. Supp. 1284 (D. Minn. 1995)
• Airlines Reporting Corporation vs. Norwest Bank, N.A., f/d/b/a The Bank Wayzata, N.A., 529 N.W.2d 44 (Minn. Ct. App. 1995)
• Green Circle Associates v. Norwest Bank, National Association, formerly known as Norwest Bank Minneapolis, National Association, 1995 WL 165013 (Minn. Ct. App. 1995)
• Lakeland Medical-Dental Academy, Inc. vs. Norwest Bank Minnesota, N.A., and Cindy Kay Parks, 1992 WL 174712 (Minn. Ct. App. 1992)

Pro Bono Experience

• General Counsel, Minnesota Mycological Society
• Mentor, University of St. Thomas Law School

Recognitions & Accomplishments

Minnesota Super Lawyers, Business Litigation, 2003-2017

North Star Lawyer, Minnesota State Bar Association, 2012

Publications

"Too Much for Too Little: The Restatement's Measure of Damages Where the Trustee Sells a Trust Asset for an Insufficient Price," 96 Minn. L. Rev. 2144, 2012

"Communication with Represented Parties in Civil Litigation," Professional Responsibility, Minnesota Institute of Legal Education, 1998

"Standing in Civil Cases to Disqualify for Conflict of Interest," Professional Responsibility, Minnesota Institute of Legal Education, 1998

"The Effective Date of Transfers by Check Under Section 547(c)(4) of the Bankruptcy Code: In Support of the Delivery Rule," 95 Commercial Law Journal, 217, 1990

Co-author, "The Latest Look at Wrongful Termination," Minnesota Trial Lawyer, Vol. 10, No. 2, 1985

Speaking Engagements

Presenter, "Wrongful Discharge – The Plaintiff's Case from the Horse's Mouth," Minnesota CLE Seminar, Minnesota Trial Lawyers Association, 1987

University of Michigan Law School (J.D., cum laude, 1978)
Editor, Michigan Law Review

Amherst College (B.A., summa cum laude, 1974)
Phi Beta Kappa

Minnesota

U.S. District Court for the District of Minnesota

U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit

Minnesota Supreme Court

U.S. Supreme Court