Laura Hammargren, Greenberg Traurig, LLP

Going from an in-house practice to a private practice is not for the faint of heart, but Laura Hammargren has made that transition.

About a year ago, Hammargren left her position as assistant general counsel and director at 3M in order to join Greenberg Traurig, LLP as a shareholder. That’s not to say one spot was necessarily better than the other; at 3M she helped shape litigation strategies that effectively addressed corporate needs and mitigated business risks.

“Both ways of practicing are really interesting,” said Hammargren. “I’ve learned a lot from both sides. I was excited to take the knowledge I gained in-house and apply it to a new job.”

But in her new role, Hammargren has been able to make the most of her past experience. Her background in product liability, toxic and other mass torts, and environmental litigation has set the tone for her new role. 

She came on as administrative shareholder for the Minneapolis office late last year, and since then has taken on mentoring, associate development and growth of Greenberg Traurig’s litigation practice.

One adjustment for Hammargren in going into private practice is the varied nature of the matters she takes on.

“I do a lot with consumer product class actions and toxic torts, and similar product litigation,” she explained. “One moment you might be working on something to do with a smoke alarm, the next minute it might have to do with a face wash.”

A summa cum laude graduate of the University of St. Thomas School of Law, Hammargren also works in consumer fraud litigation, environmental litigation and corporate internal investigations and compliance.

Away from work, she’s a volunteer attorney for the Tubman Safety Project. There she provides pro bono representation to low-income victims and survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, and stalking, often helping them seek orders for protection.