Tony Novak is a seasoned trial attorney with more than 20 years of experience representing clients in complex litigation across the country. He regularly serves as lead trial counsel in high exposure matters, and brings deep expertise in product liability, professional liability, and commercial matters. Tony is licensed in Minnesota, Wisconsin and North Dakota, but also appears regularly on behalf of clients in venues nationwide. Known for his strategic approach and client-focused practice, Tony has an ability to distill complex issues for judges and juries. Tony is regularly recognized by his peers as a Super Lawyer and among The Best Lawyers in America. Prior to practicing law, Tony worked in public accounting with a major international accounting firm and still puts that background to use when providing strategic counseling to his business clients.
Outside the courtroom, Tony and his wife spend most of their time keeping up with their three teenagers, traveling to hockey rinks, volleyball courts, and dance competitions. When he’s not preparing a case or cheering from the sidelines, Tony is a long-suffering Minnesota sports fan.
Law School
University of Minnesota, J.D., cum laude, 2005
College
University of St. Thomas, B.A., Accounting, magna cum laude, 2001
Member
American Bar Association
Minnesota State Bar Association
Ramsey County Bar Association
Minnesota Defense Lawyers Association (2021-2022 President; Executive Committee; Board of Directors; Past Chair, Products Liability Committee)
Association of Defense Trial Attorneys
Defense Research Institute (Steering Committee, Products Liability; Minnesota State Representative; Annual Meeting Steering Committee)
Admitted
Minnesota, North Dakota, and Wisconsin, U.S. District Court: Minnesota, Eastern Wisconsin, Western Wisconsin, North Dakota, Central Illinois, and Colorado
Honors & Awards
Recognized in The Best Lawyers in America (less than two percent of U.S. attorneys) (2022-2026)
Selected to the Minnesota Super Lawyers list, which represents the top five percent of attorneys who have attained a high degree of peer recognition and achievement (2023-2025)
Named to the Minnesota Super Lawyers Rising Star list, which recognizes no more than 2.5 percent of Minnesota attorneys (2008, 2010, 2011, 2013-2018)
Publications & Seminars
How Expert Witnesses Can Revolutionize Your Legal Strategy, ADTA Annual Meeting, Santa Fe, 2024
TBIs – Real or Just in Someone’s Head, DRI Products Liability, Denver, 2024
Evaluating PTSD Claims, Property and Liability Resource Bureau Webinar, Presenter, 2019
Hot Jurisdictions and Nuclear Verdicts, USLAW Seminar, London, Presenter, 2018
Evaluating and Defending the Worst of the Worst, Presenter, Chicago & New York, 2017
Taking a Technical Approach to Defending Products Claims, MDLA Trial Techniques Seminar, Presenter, 2016
The Effect of New Technology on Products Liability Cases, MDLA Mid-Winter Seminar, Presenter, January, 2016
Guide to Defense Practice, DRI Defense Library Series, Chapter Author, 2015
Evidentiary Issues in Trucking Cases, American Bar Association, The Brief, Summer Issue, 2014
The Current Status of Collateral Sources, MDLA Trial Techniques Seminar, Presenter, August, 2014
Evidentiary Issues in Trucking Cases, Presenter, ABA TIPS Fall Leadership Meeting (October, 2013)
New Lawyer Experience: Dealing with Difficult Counsel, Clients and Judges,Panel Speaker, Minnesota CLE (July, 2013)
New Developments in Minnesota Comparative Fault Law Panel Speaker, MDLA Products Liability Committee (July, 2013)
Beyond Beginner’s Luck: A Young Lawyer’s Guide to Effective Motion Practice, Presenter, DRI Young Lawyers Conference, Las Vegas (June, 2013)
Hot Topics in Lawyer and Accountants’ E&O, Panelist, PLUS Midwest Chapter, Chicago (May, 2013)
Proactive Defense of Professional Liability Claims: The Best Defense is a Good Offense, Author, ExecSense E-Book (2013)
The Collateral Source Rule: A Compendium of State Law, Author (MN) and Regional Editor, (2012)
Clearing the Weeds: Artful Expert Witness Depositions, Webcast Presenter, DRI Trial Tactics Committee, (May 2012)
How to Defend a Product with a “History”, presenter, DRI Product Liability Conference: Product Liability in the 21st Century, Las Vegas (April 2012)
Don’t Be That Guy (or Gal) – Avoiding Common Ethical Pitfalls, presenter, DRI Annual Meeting, Washington, D.C.(2011)
Evaluation of Economic Loss Claims, presenter, MDLA Trial Techniques Seminar, Duluth (2011)
Most Litigated Issues Pertaining to Industry Documentation and the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations, Defense Research Institute’s Trucking Law Seminar (Winter 2010)
Taking Control of the Wheel: Navigating Litigation Your Way on a Road of Difficult Witnesses and Opposing Counsel, MDLA Mid-Winter Conference (February, 2009)
Navigating Seller’s Exception Statutes, For the Defense (February 2009)
Class Action Shake Out: CAFA and the Defense of Products Liability Actions, For the Defense (December, 2005)
Motion Practice Tips: Helpful Hints to Assist Your Client and Stay in the Good Graces of the Court, Barrister (December 2004)
A Bump In The Road: Ascertaining Damages in Transportation Law Cases, Minnesota Defense (Fall 2004)
