Practice areas: Business Litigation, Securities Litigation; view more
Licensed in Minnesota since: 2009
Education: Harvard Law School
Selected to Super Lawyers: 2023, 2026 
Selected to Rising Stars: 2012 - 2013 Call today:
612-778-1539
Simonson Law PLLC
400 South Fourth StSuite 401
Minneapolis, MN 55415 Visit website
From the law office of Simonson Law PLLC in Minneapolis, Minnesota, Leif T. Simonson is a sagacious advocate for his clients, helping them in their contentious business litigation matters, as well as appeals, and securities and investment fraud. With over 15 years of experience, he understands what his clients need to secure their businesses to give it an efficacious chance of thriving.
Mr. Simonson completed his undergraduate studies in 1993, graduating with his A.B. degree in English from Harvard University. He went on to attend Harvard Law School, where his legal foundations, and legal acumen and talents were tested and shaped to a stringent standard that are still evident in the advocacy he provides today. He received his Juris Doctor in 2002, and seven years later, he became licensed to practice law in Minnesota.
First obtaining his license to practice law in New York, Mr. Simonson later became admitted to practice before the United States District Court for the District of Minnesota, the United States District Courts for the Southern, Eastern and Northern Districts of New York, and the United States Court of Appeals for the 2nd, 3rd and 8th Circuits.
After practicing law at many prominent law firms, Mr. Simonson founded Simonson Law PLLC to enshrine his vision of helping his clients practice. He has strived to provide personalized attention and support to his clients, as well as meticulous focus on every aspect of his clients’ cases and the confidence that their legal matters will be handled graciously and with poise.
Practice areas
Business Litigation, Securities LitigationFocus areas
Non-Compete Agreements, Trade Secret
- 50% Business Litigation
- 50% Securities Litigation
First Admitted: 2003, New York
Professional Webpage: https://simonsonlaw.com/credentials/
Bar / Professional Activity
- Member of the FBA Minnesota Chapter., 2025
- Co-Chair of the International Litigation Committee, ABA, Section of International Law., 2021
- Co-Chair of the International Litigation Committee, ABA, Section of International Law., 2020
- Co-Chair of the International Litigation Committee, ABA, Section of International Law., 2019
- Member of the Board of Directors, FBA Minnesota Chapter, 2012
Verdicts / Settlements (Case Results)
- Won in arguing motion for summary judgment in favor of Asian-based hedge funds seeking to enforce notes issued by Chinese company in the amount of $133.5 million+ in unpaid principal, plus unpaid interest. See BFAM Asian Opportunities Master Fund, LP et al v. Glory Health Industry Limited et al, No. 651863/2023 (N.Y. Sup. Ct. April 14, 2025)., 2025
- Successfully settled FINRA arbitration brought on behalf of clients against large financial services company. , 2025
- Won motion for confirmation of arbitral award from the New York State Supreme Court, Commercial Division, confirming an arbitral award issued by a tribunal under the UNCITRAL Arbitration Rules in favor of a Minnesota-based company., 2025
- Won in arguing motion for summary judgment in favor of Hong Kong-based hedge fund seeking to enforce notes issued by Chinese company in the amount of $139 million+ in unpaid principal, plus unpaid interest. See BFAM Asian Opportunities Master Fund, LP v. Zhongrong Intern. Resources Co., Ltd., No. 654192/2022, 2024 WL 3597136, at *1 (N.Y. Sup. Ct. July 31, 2024)., 2024
- Won on appeal to the U.S. Court of Appeals, Second Circuit, in affirming order granting discovery in the U.S. under 28 U.S.C. s. 1782 for use in a foreign criminal investigation. See In re B&C Kb Holding GmbH, No. 23-1014, 2024 WL 3170983, at *1 (2d Cir. June 26, 2024)., 2024
- Won in arguing motion seeking civil contempt sanctions against directors of judgment creditors for non-compliance with Turnover Order, including fine of $114+ million against one of the contemnors, 2024
- Won motion for criminal contempt sanctions against founder and senior executive of corporate judgment debtor in judgment enforcement case. , 2024
- Won motion to confirm international arbitration award under the New York Convention and Chapter 2 of the Federal Arbitration Act. , 2024
- Won motion for contempt sanctions in the amount of $187 million+ against founder and senior executive of corporate judgment debtor in judgment enforcement matter. See Pala Assets Holdings Ltd v. Rolta, LLC, No. 652798/2018, 2023 WL 3386774, at *1 (N.Y. Sup. Ct. May 11, 2023)., 2023
- Won application seeking discovery in the U.S. under 28 U.S.C. s. 1782 for evidence for use in a foreign criminal investigation. See In re B&C KB Holding GmbH, No. 22-MC-180 (LAK) (VF), 2023 WL 4544775, at *1 (S.D.N.Y. June 8, 2023), aff'd sub nom. In re B&C Kb Holding GmbH, No. 23-1014, 2024 WL 3170983 (2d Cir. June 26, 2024), 2023
- Won motion seeking turnover of bank account and various assets in enforcing judgment under New York law. See Major League Baseball Properties, Inc. v. Corporacion de Television y Microonda Rafa, S.A., No. 1:19-CV-8669-MKV-GWG, 2023 WL 2625794, at *1 (S.D.N.Y. Mar. 24, 2023)., 2023
- Won in arguing appeal in New York's Appellate Division, affirming dismissal of claims asserting violations of New York's False Claims Act. See State ex rel. Grabcheski v. Am. Int'l Grp., Inc., 203 A.D.3d 638, 166 N.Y.S.3d 13, leave to appeal denied, 39 N.Y.3d 903, 198 N.E.3d 492 (2022), 2022
- Won motion seeking imposition of contempt sanctions against senior executive of judgment creditor in judgment enforcement matter. See Pala Assets Holdings Ltd. v. Rolta, LLC, 205 A.D.3d 457, 457–58, 165 N.Y.S.3d 700, (Mem)–701 (2022)., 2021
- Won motion to appoint a receiver over judgment creditors' ownership interest in various subsidiaries in judgment enforcement matter. , 2021
- Won motion for turnover of judgment debtors' ownership interests in various companies in judgment enforcement matter., 2020
- Won motion to confirm international arbitration award under the New York Convention and Chapter 2 of the Federal Arbitration Act., 2020
Special Licenses / Certifications
- Admitted to practice law in New York in 2003 (in addition to being admitted to practice law in Minnesota since 2009)., 2003
Pro bono / Community Service
- Performed more than 500 hours of pro bono service representing a death penalty inmate in post-conviction proceedings in Alabama. See Benjamin v. State, 156 So. 3d 424 (Ala. Crim. App. 2013)., 2011
Educational Background
- Harvard Law School, graduated magna cum laude , 1999-2002
- Harvard College, graduated magna cum laude, 1989-1993
Scholarly Lectures / Writings
- Organized and presented as speaker in panel on recognition and enforcement of judgments, as part of International Litigation Conference, ABA Section of International Law., Speaker and moderator, Recognition and Enforcement of Judgments, ABA Section of International Law, International Litigation Conference, 2021
- Spoke on panel concerning freezing of assets in cross-border matters, presented by ThoughtLeaders 4 FIRE., Speaker, Fire & Ice: Freezing the Un-Freezable, ThoughtLeaders 4 FIRE, 2021
- Published chapter in book on Obtaining Evidence for Use in International Tribunals under 28 U.S.C. s. 1782, published by Juris., Author, Obtaining Evidence for Use in International Tribunals under 28 U.S.C. s. 1782, Juris Publishing, 2020
- Presented on panel concerning interim remedies in international arbitration as part of ABA Disputes Resolution conference, Speaker, Interim Remedies, ABA, Section of Dispute Resolution, Annual Conference, 2019
- Organized and presented on panel concerning working with investigators as part of enforcement of judgments and asset recovery, as part of ABA Section of International Law Annual Conference, Speaker and moderator, Hot on the Trail - How Lawyers Can Work Effectively With Investigators and Forensic Accountants to Enhance International Judgment Enforcement and Asset Recovery Efforts, ABA, Section of International Law, Annual Conference, 2019
- Organized and moderated panel on advice to civil lawyers upon their client's encounters with law enforcement for the 2012 annual Federal Practice Seminar, FBA Minnesota Chapter. , Moderator, The First 24 Hours: Advice to Civil Lawyers Upon Their Client's Surprise Encounters With Law Enforcement, FBA Minnesota Chapter Annual Federal Practice Seminar, 2012
Honors
- Received a Litigator of the Week Shout-Out in The American Lawyer after securing a summary judgment win for bondholders of Chinese property developer Glory Health. https://www.linkedin.com/feed/update/urn:li:activity:7321614060700000256/, "Litigators of the Week", The American Lawyer, 2025
- SuperLawyers - New York Metro SuperLawyer, SuperLawyers, 2023
- Rising Star - Minnesota, Super Lawyers Minnesota, 2013
- Rising Star - Minnesota, Super Lawyers Minnesota, 2012
Office location for Leif T. Simonson
400 South Fourth St
Suite 401
Minneapolis, MN 55415
Phone: 612-778-1539
Selections
- Super Lawyers: 2023, 2026
- Rising Stars: 2012 - 2013
