Joseph F. Leoni
Attorney-at-Law
225 First Street North, P.O. Box 958
Virginia, MN 55792
(218)749-1962 Fax(218)749-4308
jleoni@trentilaw.com
Websites: JOELEONI.COM, trentilaw.com, trentiinjury.com
EDUCATION
| YEAR | AREA | SCHOOL | DEGREE |
| 2000 | EMERGENCYMEDICAL TECH-PARAMEDIC |
LAURENTIAN COMM/ TECH COLLEGE |
EMT-P |
| 1984 | LAW | WILLIAM MITCHELL COLLEGE OF LAW |
J.D. |
| 1981 | SPEECH COMMUNICATION | UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA, MINNEAPOLIS |
B.A. |
EMPLOYMENT
| 1991 – PRESENT | TRIAL LAWYER | TRENTI LAW FIRM |
| 1984- 1990 | ATTORNEY | CLOUTIER & MUSECH |
| 1987 – 1989 | ADJUNCT PROFESSOR BUSINESS LAW |
INVER HILLS COMMUNITY COLLEGE, MN |
LEGAL ACCOMPLISHMENTS & COMMITTEES
| 2013 | TOP RATED LAWYER IN PERSONAL INJURY LAW | AMERICAN LAWYER MEDIA AND MARTINDALE-HUBBLE |
| 2012 | ACTLM BOARD OF GOVERNORS | ACADEMY CERTIFIED TRIAL LAWYERS |
| 2012 | CIVIL PRETRIAL SPECIALIST | NATIONAL BOARD OF CIVIL PRETRIAL PRACTIVE ADVOCACY (not accredited by the MBLC/MSBA) |
| 2010 – 2011 | MNAJ EXECUTIVE COMM. BOARD OF GOVERNORS |
MN ASSOCIATION OF JUSTICE MNAJ |
| 2002 - Present | SUPER LAWYER DESIGNATION | MN LAW POLITICS |
| 2002 – Present | AV ATTORNEY RATING | MARTINDALE HUBBEL |
| 1998 - Present | CIVIL TRIAL SPECIALIST | CERTIFIED BY THE |
| 2000 - Present | EMT – PARAMEDIC | NATIONALLY AND STATE CERTIFIED PARAMEDIC |
| 2010 | MERIT JUDICIAL SELECTION COMMITTEE | UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT |
| 2000 – 2010 | BOARD OF GOVERNORS | MNAJ |
| 2002 - 2010 | MNAJ MAGAZINE CRIMINAL LAW EDITOR | MNAJ MAGAZINE |
| 2009 | WHO’S WHO IN PLAINTIFF’S PERSONAL INJURY | |
| 1999 - 2007 | STANDING COMMITTEE NO-FAULT |
MN SUPREME COURT |
| 1998 | RISING YOUNG STAR | MN LAW POLITICS |
JUDICIAL EXPERIENCE
| 1991 – Present | AMERICAN ARBITRATION ASSOCIATION; ARBITRATOR | A.A.A. |
| 1991 - 1999 | CONCILIATION COURT JUDGE | HENNEPIN COUNTY DISTRICT COURT MINNEAPOLIS, MN |
| 1994 - 1999 | HENNEPIN COUNTY COURT ARBITRATOR | HENNEPIN COUNTY DISTRICT COURT |
| 1995 - 1999 | AD-HOC SELECTION COMMITTEE CONCILIATION JUDGE PANEL | HENNEPIN COUNTY DISTRICT COURT |
APPELLATE EXPERIENCE
| Raze vs. Mueller | 587 NW 2d 645 | (Minn, 1999) |
| Klapmeier vs. Ebel | 2010 WL 2732049 | (MN App. 2010) |
| Jane Doe vs. IDS 2154 | 2010 WL 3545585 | (MN App. 2010) |
CURRENT AWARDS AND COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT
- IRON MINING ASSOCIATION BOARD OF DIRECTORS 2010-PRESENT
- UNITED WAY BOARD OF DIRECTORS (NE MINNESOTA) 2010 –PRESENT
EXECUTIVE BOARD BOY SCOUTS OF AMERICA 2008 - Present - PARAMEDIC GUEST LECTURER, MESABI COMMUNITY COLLEGE 2000-PRESENT
- FIRST RESPONDER BIWABIK TOWNSHIP, 2000 – PRESENT
PAST AWARDS AND COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT
- PRESIDENT – VIRGINIA REGIONAL HOSPITAL COMMISION – 2011 - 2012
- VIRGINIA HOSPITAL COMMISSION, 2007 - 2012
- VRMC HOSPITAL FINANCE CHAIRMAN, VIRGINIA, MN 2009- 2011
- NORTHERN DIAGNOSTIC SERVICES INC., LIAISON 2009 – 2011
- TROOP 114 TROOP COMMITTEE, 2007 – 2011
- CHICAGAMI NON-PROFIT BOARD OF DIRECTORS, 2005 - 2011
- TROOP 114 BOY SCOUTMASTER, 2000 - 2007
- DISTRICT MERIT AWARD BOY SCOUTS OF AMERICA 2007
- COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT GRANT BOARD; ST. LOUIS COUNTY 2000 – 2006
- GILBERT H.S. ALUMNI ASSOCIATION PRESIDENT, 2000 - 2003
- YOUTH HOCKEY AND SOCCER COACH - 1997 - 2003
- VIRGINIA FOUNDATION VOLUNTEER AWARD, 2000 – 2001
- CUB SCOUT LEADER – 1997 – 2001
- STRATHMORE'S WHO'S WHO
- NATIONAL RUNNER-UP HOCKEY TEAM 1978; COMMUNITY COLLEGE
- WEST POINT ACADEMY APPOINTMENT; LEADERSHIP APPOINTMENT 1977
- EAGLE SCOUT 1976
- ORDER OF THE ARROW 1974
PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIPS
- AMERICAN BOARD OF TRIAL ADVOCATES (ABOTA)
- ACADEMY OF CERTIFIED TRIAL LAWYERS OF MN
- MN STATE BAR ASSOCIATION
- MN ITALIAN AMERICAN LAWYERS ASSOCIATION
- AMERICAN TRIAL LAWYERS ASSOCIATION
- ST. LOUIS COUNTY BAR ASSOCIATION
- HENNEPIN COUNTY SPEAKERS PANEL
- PUBLICATION COMMITTEE OF MTLA
- AMERICAN BAR ASSOCIATION
- ST. LOUIS COUNTY BAR ASSOCIATION
- HENNEPIN COUNTY SPEAKERS PANEL
- CRIMINAL DEFENSE LAWYERS
- PUBLICATION COMMITTEE OF MTLA
- FEDERAL PUBLIC DEFENDERS PANEL
PROFESSIONAL ARTICLES AND LECTURE
| EMS LIABILITY REFERENCE TABLE | ARROWHEAD EMS CONVENTION LECTURER 2013 |
| LEGAL ISSUES AND CONSIDERATIONS 2012 | MN EMS MEDICAL DIRECTORS CONF. LECTURER 2012 |
MSHA REGULATION VIOLATIONS |
SOCIETY FOR MINING, METALLURGY & EXPLORATION MN CONF. LECTURER 2012 |
MSHA & LITIGATION |
MNAJ MAGAZINE FALL 2011 – CO-AUTHOR |
EMS PRODUCT AND LIABILITY |
ARROWHEAD EMS CONVENTION LECTURER 2012 CONVENTION LECTURER 2011 |
EMS INSURANCE CLAIMS |
ARROWHEAD EMS CONVENTION LECTURER 2011 |
POST CONVICTION RELIEF |
MNAJ MAGAZINE |
ARROWHEAD EMS MEDICAL/LEGAL REFERENCES |
ARROWHEAD EMS CONVENTION LECTURER 2010 |
FELONY OFFENSE TO TAKE YOUR CHILD |
MNAJ MAGAZINE |
DOMESTIC ABUSE- IT’S A CRIME |
MNAJ MAGAZINE |
PAYABLE FINES. WHAT ARE THEY? |
MNAJ MAGAZINE SPRING 2009 |
WHAT’S NEW IN DRAM SHOP |
MNAJ WINTER LECTURER |
EMS – PIRATES CREED OF ETHICS |
ARROWHEAD EMS CONVENTION LECTURER 2009 |
CONFIDENTIAL RELIABLE INFORMANTS “WHAT & WHO ARE THEY?” |
MNAJ MAGAZINE |
PURSUING THE AUTO INJURY CLAIM |
NBI CLE LECTURE OCT. 2008 |
DUI & CRIMINAL LAW UPDATES |
MNAJ MAGAZINE FALL 2008 |
EMERGENCY HOLDS, COMMITMENTS & PATIENT'S RIGHTS |
MNAJ MAGAZINE |
DWI & SEARCH & SEIZURE 2008 |
MNAJ MAGAZINE |
AVOID MALPRACTICE CLAIMS |
ARROWHEAD EMS |
PRELITIGATION ATTACHMENT OF PROPERTY |
MNAJ MAGAZINE WINTER '08 |
MENTAL ILLNESS – RULE 20 |
MNAJ MAGAZINE |
EXCESSIVE POLICE FORCE |
MNAJ MAGAZINE SUMMER '07 |
MN SEXUAL OFFENDER 2007 LAWS |
MNAJ MAGAZINE |
EMS MEDICAL-LEGAL REFERENCE |
ARROWHEAD EMS |
DRAM SHOP VS. DUI: CHAIN OF CUSTODY |
MTLA MAGAZINE |
PRODUCT RULE: WHAT IS IT? |
MTLA MAGAZINE |
| CRIMINAL LAW EXPERTS/ FRYE MACK STANDARD | MTLA MAGAZINE |
| EXPUNGEMENTS MINN. STAT. 609A | MTLA MAGAZINE |
RESTRICTED RIGHT TO BEAR ARMS MINN. STAT. 624.713 |
MTLA MAGAZINE WINTER '06 |
| CIVIL LAWYER'S GUIDE TO MN DRUG LAWS | MTLA MAGAZINE |
| DRIVING & DUI LAWS 2005 | MTLA MAGAZINE |
DRUG COURTS |
MTLA MAGAZINE |
| EMERGENCY MEDICAL LAWSUITS | ARROWHEAD EMS |
NO-FAULT ARBITRATION CERTIFICATION |
MTLA, CLE WINTER CONVENTION 2005 |
TORT REFORM – SMALL FIRM LITIGATION |
MTLA CLE SEMINAR JANUARY 2005 |
SEARCH, SEIZURE, STANDING IN MN |
MTLA MAGAZINE PUBLISHED ARTICLE WINTER '05 |
COMMENCEMENT SPEAKER, MAY 2004 |
MESABI RANGE COMMUNINITY AND TECHNICAL COLLEGE |
NATIONAL EDUCATORS EMS, LITIGATION |
NATIONAL EDUCATORS OF MN EMS CONFERENCE 2004 |
EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES "LEGAL ISSUES" |
ARROWHEAD EMS CONVENTION WINTER 2004 |
CRIMINAL LAW REPORT (ARTICLES) |
MTLA MAGAZINE |
TRIAL SKILLS – OPENING & CLOSING (SEMINAR) |
MTLA, CLE, SEMINAR, MARCH 2003 |
BEATING THE INSURANCE COMPANY (SEMINAR) |
MTLA, CLE, SEMINAR, |
D.U.I. CHARTED NEW LAWS (SEMINAR) |
MTLA ANNUAL CONVENTION |
D.U.I. CHARTED |
MTLA MAGAZINE |
SMALL FIRM TRIAL TACTICS (SEMINAR) |
MTLA, CLE, SEMINAR, |
DRAM SHOP CHARTED |
MTLA MAGAZINE SUMMER '01 |
CIVIL DAMAGES ACT/DRAMSHOP LITIGATION AND SETTLEMENT (SEMINAR) |
MTLA, CLE, CONVENTION LECTURER, WINTER 2001 |
WORKERS BEWARE; |
HENNEPIN LAWYER MAGAZINE ARTICLE 1999 |
D.U.I. BASICS |
MTLA MAGAZINE |
"PUNITIVE DAMAGES AND THE INTOXICATED STATUTORY STANDARDS" |
MTLA MAGAZINE SPRING '97 |
"CONCILIATION COURTS" |
HENNEPIN LAWYER MAGAZINE |
COURTS YOU SHOULD BE FAMILIAR WITH BUT AREN'T (SEMINAR) |
GUEST SPEAKER & CHAIR, '94 MTLA, CLE SEMINAR |
PREMISES LIABILITY IN LANDLORD/ TENANT LAW (SEMINAR) |
MTLA, CLE SEMINAR, GUEST SPEAKER, 1993 |
"ARBITRATION V. LITIGATION: ISSUES |
MTLA MAGAZINE WINTER '92 |
* MNAJ – MINNESOTA ASSOCIATION FOR JUSTICE |
|
AREAS OF PRACTICE
CIVIL PRACTICE
I have handled over 2,500 Federal & State Civil cases in the past 25 years. A sample of these cases are the following:
Automobile Accidents: Every kind possible.
Product Liability – G.M.; Chrysler; Propane Companies; Ladder Companies, playground equipment companies, car seat manufactures, bleacher construction, .
Medical Malpractice – Nursing home, physician, nursing, EMS, pharmaceutical and Hospitals.
Wrongful Death – Automobile accidents, all major insurance companies, underinsured, uninsured, commercial lines.
Dog Bites – Facial, head and limb scarring, emotional trauma.
Business Law – Represented clients against various public and private contractors, home builders and subcontractors.
Employment Law – Federal Labor and Wage Claims, unemployment; Union Representation Public and Private.
Police & Municipal Malpractice – Excessive police force, City & School District negligence.
Contract – Represented companies on contract claims & issues.
CRIMINAL PRACTICE
I have handled over 1500 Federal and State criminal cases in the past 25 years. A sample of these cases are the following:
Felony white collar crime, felony murder, felony drug, felony manslaughter, felony assault, felony theft, felony burglary, felony negligent vehicular homicide, felony negligent vehicular operation, felony DUI, gross misdemeanor assault, misdemeanor DUI, misdemeanor disorderly conduct.