Brooke D. Anthony

Attorney Profile
Top Rated Business Litigation Attorney in Minneapolis, MN
Minneapolis, MN 55402
Selected To Rising Stars: 2014 - 2018
- Business Litigation (50%),
- Employment Litigation: Defense (30%),
- Securities Litigation (20%)
Brooke Anthony is a trial lawyer and professional problem solver who internalizes her clients' passion for their business and shares her clients' commitment to success.
Brooke has represented Fortune 500 Companies, financial institutions, mid-size companies, closely-held corporations, and individuals in a number of different industries — both pursuing and defending against employment claims, securities arbitrations, insurance coverage matters, breach of contract actions, and other business torts. She has particular experience working with clients who face privately held company disputes and governance issues, employment matters, contract disputes, business torts, and professional malpractice claims. She works hard to find creative, analytical, practical, and efficient solutions to any legal problem, allowing her clients to focus on their business priorities.
Brooke knows that at times, trial is the only option. Brooke has first-chaired a number of trials and arbitrations for clients in state and federal court. In 2016 alone, she first-chaired two bench trials and one jury trial in Minnesota and New York. Brooke's advocacy, however, does not end in the trial court. In 2014, she successfully defended a decision in the Eighth Circuit on behalf of Anthony Ostlund's client, a Fortune 100 company. In 2016, she successfully defended a summary judgment obtained in Minnesota state court on behalf of her clients defending against a claim for professional malpractice.
Brooke also enjoys and has dedicated a portion of her practice to pro bono work and to the community. Early in her career, she acted as court-appointed counsel for an incarcerated client who needed assistance briefing complicated legal issues under the Religious Land Use and Institutionalized Persons Act and represented civilly committed individuals seeking to challenge an Illinois state treatment program under the Americans with Disabilities Act. She is currently a volunteer attorney for the Children's Law Center of Minnesota and is serving on the board of the Minnesota Mother Attorneys Association (MMAA). In 2015, she was selected to serve on the merit selection committee for the United States District Court for the District of Minnesota and from 2010-2012 she served a two-year term on the steering committee for United Way affinity group Women Investing in the Next Generation (WINGs).
Brooke began her practice in Chicago. Prior to joining Anthony Ostlund in 2010, she was an associate at Grippo & Elden LLC (now Shook, Hardy & Bacon L.L.P.)
About Brooke Anthony
Admitted: 2007, Minnesota
Professional Webpage: http://www.anthonyostlund.com/brooke-d-anthony
Bar/Professional Activity:
- Member, The American Lawyer Magazine Young Lawyer Editorial Board
- Member, Merit Selection Panel, United States District Court District of Minnesota, 2015
- Extern, The Honorable Paul A. Magnuson, United States District Court for the District of Minnesota
- Member, National Association of Women Lawyers
- Board Member, Minnesota Mother Attorneys Association
- Member, Federal Bar Association
- Member, Minnesota State Bar Association
- Member, Northwestern University School of Law Alumni Committee
- Member and Regional Champion, Northwestern National Trial Team
- Member, Hennepin County Bar Association
- Extern, United States Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Illinois
- Admission to Minnesota State Bar, 2007
- Extern, Magistrate Judge Susan Richard Nelson, United States District Court for the District of Minnesota
- Admission to Illinois State Bar, 2005
Pro bono/Community Service:
- Volunteer, Steering Committee Member, United Way WINGs (Women Investing in the Next Generation), 2011-2013
- Board Member, Minnesota Mother Attorneys Association
Scholarly Lectures/Writings:
- Bostock v. Clayton County, Georgia: A Synopsis of the Supreme Court's Decision to Protect Gay and Transgender Employees, Minnesota Lawyer and Finance & Commerce - Partner Content, 2020
- To Young Lawyers, Succession Planning Is a Necessity, Not an Option, The American Lawyer Young Lawyer Editorial Board, June , 2019
- Pressure on the Privilege, Minnesota Continuing Legal Education, 2019
- Civil Litigation A to Z: The End Game - Trial Practice In Minnesota State Court, Minnesota Continuing Legal Education, 2019
- The Art of Voir Dire, Minnesota Lawyer and Finance & Commerce - Partner Content, 2019
- The Path to Partnership Offers Great Rewards at Great Costs, The American Lawyer Young Lawyer Editorial Board, April , 2019
- Mastering Law Firm Economics Is Key for Young Lawyers, The American Lawyer Young Lawyer Editorial Board, May, 2019
- Burnout Is Part of the Profession. How Can Attorneys Avoid It? The American Lawyer Young Lawyer Editorial Board, February , 2019
- Am I My Brother's Keeper? What It Means to be a Supervising Attorney Under the Rules of Professional Conduct, Attorney At Law Magazine, Minnesota Edition, 2018
- The Questions to Ask Yourself Before Making a Lateral Move, The American Lawyer Young Lawyer Editorial Board, March , 2019
- General Principles of Attorney-Client Privilege, Minnesota CLE Attorney-Client Privilege Deskbook, 1st Edition, 2018
- For Young Lawyers, the Changing Legal Landscape Means Opportunity, The American Lawyer Young Lawyer Editorial Board, 2018
- Pay Raises Can Be a Bittersweet Bump for Big Law Associates, The American Lawyer Young Lawyer Editorial Board, October 3, 2018
- Law Firms Benefit by Showing Attorneys That Family Matters, The American Lawyer Young Lawyer Editorial Board, August 31, 2018
- We Need an Open Dialogue on Mental Health in the Law, The American Lawyer Young Lawyer Editorial Board, June 1, 2018
- Stagnant Progress on Law Firm Diversity Can't Continue, The American Lawyer Young Lawyer Editorial Board, July 9, 2018
- Young Lawyers Call For Revamping of Law Firm Offices to Meet New Industry Needs, The American Lawyer Young Lawyer Editorial Board, May 3, 2018
- Twin Cities Business - Brooke Anthony was featured in article "Why More Minnesota Businesses are Steering Away from Courtrooms.", 2018
- Young Lawyer Editorial Board: It's Time to Change the Way We Educate Lawyers, The American Lawyer Young Lawyer Editorial Board, March, 29, 2018
- This is What Sexual Harassment in the Legal Industry Looks Like, The American Lawyer Young Lawyer Editorial Board, March, 2018
- Civil Litigation A to Z: The End Game - Trial Practice In Minnesota State Court, Minnesota Continuing Legal Education, 2017
- Family Courts offer Lessons for Closely-Held Ownership Disputes, Minnesota Lawyer - Sponsored Blog, 2017
- 2017 Civil Litigator's Annual Short Court, Minnesota Continuing Legal Education, February, 2017
- Representing the Ongoing Business Deskbook Series: The Corporate Divorce – How to Navigate Ownership Disputes in Privately Held Companies, Minnesota Continuing Legal Education Presenter, 2017
- The Missing Oxford Comma That Cost a Company $10 Million, Attorney At Law Magazine, Minnesota Edition, 2017
- Family Courts offer Lessons for Closely-Held Ownership Disputes, Minnesota Lawyer - Sponsored Blog, September, 2017
- Minnesota State Court Practice - The Do's and Don'ts Critical to Success; Minnesota CLE Program, 2016
- A New Day for Businesses Seeking to Protect the “Secret Sauce” – Federal Trade Secret Protection, Attorney At Law Magazine - Minnesota Edition and C-Level Magazine - Minnesota Edition, 2016
- When a Lawyer Needs a Lawyer, Attorney At Law Magazine, Minnesota Edition, 2015
- In Camera Review: the Evaluation of Privileged Documents Behind Closed Doors, Minnesota CLE Program, Pressure on the Privilege, 2015
- Top Ten Things Every Closely-Held Business in Minnesota Should Know About Being Sued By An Owner; Minnesota CLE program, 2015
- Trial Considerations; Minnesota CLE Program, The Federal District of Minnesota Civil Practice Series, 2014
- The Supreme Court Tips Its Hat to Employers – or Does It? Vicarious Liability After Vance v. Ball State University, Attorney At Law Magazine, Minnesota Edition, 2013
- Till Death Do Us Part: The Broad Protections Against Marital Discrimination In the Minnesota Human Rights Act Are Here To Stay, Minnesota CLE Program, Employment Law Series, 2013
- Ownership Disputes in Privately Held Companies, Minnesota CLE Webcast Business Law Series: Ongoing Business Deskbook, 2013
- Ownership Disputes in Privately Held Companies, Minnesota CLE Deskbook, Representing the On-Going Business, First Ed., 2012
- Managing and Resolving Shareholder Litigation, Minnesota CLE Program, Business From Cradle to Grave, 2010
Verdicts/Settlements:
- Success in Defense of Professionals Brooke takes particular pride in representing other professionals facing contract and tort claims. In 2014, Brooke won summary judgment in favor of professionals who had been sued by a former client for professional negligence. The Minnesota Court of Appeals upheld the decision in 2016. In 2015, Brooke obtained a complete dismissal, in arbitration, of claims for breach of a partnership agreement as well as other tort and contract claims brought against a law firm by its former partner.
- Product Liability Defense VerdictIn her first year of practice, Brooke second chaired a product liability jury trial in Federal Court for the Eastern District of Wisconsin and was instrumental in securing a complete defense verdict for her client, a child car seat manufacturer.
- Dismissal of Contract Claims In Connection with MergerBrooke obtained dismissal of contract claims as well as claims for breach of fiduciary duty and unjust enrichment on behalf of majority shareholder of acquired company who served as Shareholders’ Representative in a merger.
- Favorable Case-Determinative Ruling in Insurance Coverage Case Brooke obtained a favorable ruling on behalf of her insurance company client on novel issue of insurance coverage law related to the proration of long-tail insurance coverage. Continental Cas. Co., Inc., et al. v. BorgWarner Inc., et al. No. 04-ch-1708, 2007 WL 8043985 (Ill. Tr. Ct., Aug. 2007)
- In 2015, Brooke was a part of a team that obtained summary judgment in favor of her client, a local for-profit school, on an issue of Minnesota lending laws. In 2016, that ruling was upheld on appeal. The Minnesota Attorney General had claimed that Brooke's client needed to be licensed under Minnesota law because it was making loans. The AG also alleged that Brooke's client was making loans that charged an interest rate higher than what was permitted by law. The district court and appellate court disagreed. Both found that Brooke's client was not charging interest rates above that permitted by law and both found that Brooke's client did not need to be licensed. , 2016
- Successful Defense in FINRA ArbitrationBrooke has also successfully defended her client, Piper Jaffray, as lead counsel, against claims brought by a former broker in a FINRA arbitration.
- Dismissal of $1 Million Contract Claim Brooke obtained dismissal, before discovery, of a million dollar breach of contract claim brought against a Fortune 100 Company in federal court in the District of Minnesota. A former executive claimed that he was entitled to an incentive payment years after he had left his employment. Brooke argued that the contract did not allow for the relief requested and the district court agreed. Gorog v. Best Buy Co.Inc. et al., No. 0:12-cv-01307, (D. Minn. 2013).
- Dismissal of Putative Class Action Against Minnesota Landlord Brooke obtained dismissal of a putative class action against Anthony Ostlund's client, a Minnesota landlord, who had been sued for allegedly violating a Minnesota statute governing the billing of utility fees to tenants. The district court kept a portion of the claim alive at the district court after a motion to dismiss and the client appealed. In a published decision, the Minnesota Appellate Court affirmed the district court's dismissal of part of the claim and directed the district court to dismiss the remaining part of the claim - a decision soundly in favor of Anthony Ostlund's client. Persigehl et al. v. Ridgebrook Investments Limited Partnership et al.
- Verdict for Plaintiff in Contract Case Brooke was lead trial counsel in a jury trial on behalf of the late Marion Levine to collect outstanding principal, interest and attorney’s fees in connection with a promissory note. Ultimately, the jury found in favor of Brooke's clients and awarded damages.Robert L. Larson, Personal Representative for the Estate of Marion Levine v. Rebecca and Bradly Caron (Hennepin County District Court, January 2014).
- Dismissal of Whistleblower ClaimBrooke won summary judgment in favor of a Fortune 100 Company against a plaintiff claiming to be a whistleblower under Minn. Stat. § 181.932.
- Shareholder and Private Company DisputesBrooke has represented a number of family-owners, shareholders, and private company executives in connection with closely-held company ownership disputes. Those cases - some of which involved multiple millions of dollars - have been resolved favorably before trial; some have even been resolved prior to the filing of a Complaint.
- Trial Court Successes Affirmed by the Appellate Courts Chubboy v. Best Buy Co. Inc. et al., No. A12-2328, 2013 WL 5022194 (Minn. App. Ct. Sept. 16, 2013) Houseman v. Whittington, No. A12-0602, 2012 WL 4052896 (Minn. App. Ct. Sept. 17, 2012). Benson v. Stafford, 941 N.E. 2d 386 (Ill. App. Ct. 2010).
Educational Background:
- J.D., Northwestern University School of Law, 2005
- B.A., cum laude, University of Pennsylvania, 2001
Additional Sources of Information About Brooke D. Anthony
Brooke D. Anthony:
Last Updated: 1/8/2021