Practice areas: Civil Rights, Personal Injury; view more
Licensed in Minnesota since: 2011
Education: William Mitchell College of Law
Selected to Super Lawyers: 2025 - 2026 
Selected to Rising Stars: 2015 - 2024 Call today:
888-388-7261
Robins Kaplan LLP
800 LaSalle AvenueSuite 2800
Minneapolis, MN 55402 Visit website
The words often used to describe Katie Bennett are “passionate” and “fighter.” Specializing in federal civil rights and catastrophic personal injury cases, she confronts formidable adversaries, including police departments and insurance companies, to seek justice for those who have been harmed. Proficient in all aspects of legal proceedings, Katie handles a spectrum of cases, from jail suicides to use of excessive force incidents, along with personal injury claims resulting in severe injury or death.
Notably, she recently served as lead counsel for a client who suffered grave injuries, including the eventual loss of both arms below the elbows, while incarcerated at Scott County Jail in Shakopee, Minnesota. Her efforts resulted in a landmark $12.2 million settlement, the largest recovery in Minnesota for constitutional claims against a jail under the Eighth and Fourteenth Amendments. In 2023, Katie played a pivotal role in securing nine-figure settlements in two cases eerily reminiscent of George Floyd’s murder. Both cases, dating back to 2017, involved excessive force claims against officer Derek Chauvin, who later killed George Floyd in 2020.
Advocating for the marginalized runs deep in Katie's family history, shaped by her father's legacy as a prominent civil rights and personal injury lawyer. Together with the civil rights team at Robins Kaplan, Katie tackles groundbreaking cases and exposes systemic corruption in the courtroom. She even played a key role in negotiating a $20 million "transformational" settlement in the Section 1983 wrongful death case involving the murder of Justine Ruszczyk by Minneapolis Police officer Mohamed Noor. These outcomes underscore her commitment to advocating for the underdog and holding those who abuse power accountable.
Katie’s clients have a deep appreciation for her understanding of the tragedies they are facing. Her strategic and organized approach alleviates their anxieties, allowing them to focus on personal healing and family needs. Her exceptional contributions have earned her numerous accolades, including being named a "Top Woman in Law," and an "Attorney of the Year" by Minnesota Lawyer, recognized as a "Minnesota Rising Star" by Super Lawyers for the past decade, honored as a "Leading Civil Rights & Plaintiff Employment Lawyer" by Lawdragon in 2023, and listed in "The Best Lawyers in America" for 2024 and 2023.
Practice areas
Civil Rights, Personal Injury - General: PlaintiffFocus areas
Personal Injury - Plaintiff, Police Misconduct
- 70% Civil Rights
- 30% Personal Injury - General: Plaintiff
First Admitted: 2011, Minnesota
Professional Webpage: https://www.robinskaplan.com/professionals/b/katie-bennett
Bar / Professional Activity
- Hennepin County Bar Association
- Minnesota Women Lawyers (Leadership Committee 2014-2015; Equity Committee 2016-2019; Co-Chair of Equity Committee 2019)
- Minnesota State Bar Association
- U.S. District Court, North Dakota
- U.S. District Court, Minnesota
- Minnesota
Verdicts / Settlements (Case Results)
- Winborn v. Schneider et al: Secured a landmark $12.2 million settlement on behalf of a client who suffered from the deliberate indifference of county personnel while he was detained at Scott County Jail in Shakopee, Minnesota leading to multiple severe injuries. The settlement is believed to be the largest amount of its kind in Minnesota to date, 2023
- Green v. Does et al.: Obtained a $2.75 million settlement for client Deyonta Green, who was denied access to critical healthcare while incarcerated at Anoka County Jail, leading to severe and long-lasting injuries. Green, who struggled with addiction issues, entered the jail on February 5, 2022, shortly after his most recent drug use. Jail officials and medical staff were fully aware of the risks associated with opioid and stimulant withdrawal and the critical importance of properly utilizing and tapering medication-assisted treatment. Despite Green having a valid prescription for Suboxone, a medication critical for managing his withdrawal symptoms, jail medical staff refused to provide him with the medication. At the time of Green’s incarceration, Anoka County Jail contracted with MEnD Correctional Care, a now-bankrupt healthcare company, to deliver medical services. MEnD repeatedly failed to meet its contractual obligations, including providing adequate staffing at the jail. As a result, Green endured severe withdrawal symptoms, including tremors, nausea, sleep disturbances, and eating problems. His deteriorating condition was well-documented by jail staff, but no medical intervention was provided, 2025
- Ruszczyk v. Noor, et al. U.S. District Court, District of Minnesota: Helped negotiate a $20 million "transformational" settlement in the Section 1983 wrongful death case involving the murder of Justine Ruszczyk by Minneapolis Police officer Mohamed Noor, 2019
- Boudin v. Ottertail County Sheriff’s Dept., et al. District of Minnesota: Client Kameron Boudin was a victim of excessive use of police force when officers entered his home in 2018. Boudin was lying on his bedroom floor when an officer laid on top of him and began striking him multiple times in the face and forehead for not complying with police commands, which Boudin was physically unable to do because of the police officer on top of him. The force of the strikes required Boudin to receive surgery, including the removal and replacement of his face due to multiple fractures. Result was a $1.6 million settlement, 2020
- Bunker v. Keilwitz, et al.: United States District Court, District of Minnesota: Secured a $2.25 million combined settlement at mediation for a jail suicide case. In 2017, our client’s daughter committed suicide while at Beltrami County Jail. The inmate made it known upon and after jail admission that she struggled with serious medical and mental health needs, including suicidality. Neither the correctional facility nor the MEnD medical staff provided proper care or took the recommended steps to ensure the safety of the inmate in the week leading up to her death, 2021
- Lynas v. Stang, et al., District of Minnesota: Client’s son was struggling from alcohol and drug withdrawal while he was an inmate at Sherburne County Jail. He made it known that he was suffering mentally and having suicidal thoughts. Neither the Jail or MNeD provided the proper treatment or well-being checks. He committed suicide in his cell 11 days after his arrest. Robins Kaplan and its attorneys hope the $2.3 million settlement will prompt jail reforms in the future, 2020
- Olthoff, Shawn v. Warnygora et al: $6.2 million settlement on behalf of client, Shawn Olthoff. Mr. Olthoff was the subject of a CERT Team call-out in Carlton County, Minnesota. His mother attempted to peacefully surrender him to authorities by providing information for entry and informing them that he was asleep in her trailer and unarmed. Mr. Olthoff was lying on his side when officers entered the trailer and put his hands in the air, following police commands, 2020
- Code v. Chauvin, Arradondo, Johnson & MPD: Secured a nearly $1.4 million settlement on behalf of client, Zoya Code. The lawsuit filed against Derek Chauvin, the City of Minneapolis, and several additional Minneapolis Police (MPD) officers alleged police misconduct, use of excessive force, and racial discrimination against Code during a 2017 incident, three years before the murder of George Floyd, 2023
- Pope v. Chauvin, Arradondo & MPD: Obtained a $7.5 million settlement on behalf of client, John Pope, a victim of police misconduct at the hands of Derek Chauvin and other Minneapolis Police Department (MPD) officers, 2023
- $3.175 Million Police Shooting Settlement: Led by Katie Bennett, the Robins Kaplan civil rights team secured a $3,175,000 settlement after a police officer shot a 29-year-old man nine times as he was experiencing a mental health crisis. The man suffered serious injuries and required medical treatment and surgeries, 2025
Special Licenses / Certifications
- Minnesota
- United States District Court District of Minnesota
- United States District Court District of North Dakota
Educational Background
- William Mitchell College of Law, J.D.
- St. Olaf College, B.A. in English
Scholarly Lectures / Writings
- Katie Bennett authored an article titled, Law School's Missed Lessons: Navigating Client Trauma, Law360, 2025
- Katie Bennett spoke on a presentation titled, The Rot Runs Deep: How Silence, Neglect, and Power Can Kill, Minnesota Association for Justice 43rd Annual Convention, 2025
- Katie Bennett spoke on session titled, Lessons from Section 1983 Litigation: Making the Whole Truth Public, Minnesota Association of Justice 2024 Mid-Winter Meeting, 2024
- Katie spoke on session titled, Police Misconduct Litigation: Overcoming Lies and Unchecked Police Power to Get Justice, Minnesota Association for Justice 38th Annual Meeting and Virtual Convention, 2020
Honors
- Named a "Minnesota Super Lawyer" (2025), Super Lawyers
- Recipient of the "Elite Women of the Plaintiffs Bar Award" (2025), The National Law Journal
- Listed in "Top Women in Law" (2024), Minnesota Lawyer
- Named to "THE POWER LIST: Personal Injury Law" (2024-2025), Minnesota Lawyer
- Listed in "Leading Civil Rights & Plaintiff Employment Lawyers" Guide (2023-2025), Lawdragon
- Named "Attorney of the Year" (2014, 2023), Minnesota Lawyer
- Listed in The Best Lawyers in America (2023-2026 Editions), Best Lawyers
- Listed in "500 Leading Plaintiff Consumer Lawyers" List (2023-2026), Lawdragon
- Named a “Minnesota Rising Star” (2015-2024), Super Lawyers
- Named to the "Access to Justice Editorial Advisory Board" (2021), Law360
- Named to the "Rising Stars of the Plaintiffs Bar" List (2021), National Law Journal
Office location for Kathryn H. Bennett
800 LaSalle Avenue
Suite 2800
Minneapolis, MN 55402
Phone: 888-388-7261
Selections
- Super Lawyers: 2025 - 2026
- Rising Stars: 2015 - 2024
