Katie Bennett, Robins Kaplan LLP

What are the biggest challenges you currently see in personal injury law?

One of the biggest challenges is holding institutions accountable when they fail to provide basic care or uphold constitutional rights, especially in cases involving incarcerated individuals.

In 2023, I represented a man who suffered catastrophic injuries — including the amputation of both arms — after jail staff ignored clear signs of a life-threatening infection. The case resulted in a $12.2 million settlement, but it also highlighted systemic failures — like the deletion of critical video evidence and the issue of not reporting the incident in the time frame required by law. These cases reveal the hurdles of breaking through deep-rooted problems and securing meaningful accountability.

What advice would you give a client to avoid legal complications in a personal injury case?

Stay off social media. You’ll thank me when it comes time to exchange written discovery (which will be less embarrassing) and your deposition (which will be much shorter).

Without revealing the names of a client, what is the most interesting case you’ve worked on lately?

I recently obtained a $2.75 million settlement for a client who was denied critical medical care while incarcerated. Despite this person having a valid prescription for his medication, he was denied access to it, which led to severe and avoidable health consequences. The case involved a deep dive into entrenched disfunction within a privately contracted jail health care provider, which has since gone bankrupt.

How do you manage work/life balance?

I came across this idea about “glass vs. plastic balls” when juggling the never-ending balance of work and life. In essence, some things bounce back if you drop them, like a plastic ball. But other responsibilities are like glass which you don’t want to shatter. So, for me, it’s about having the discernment to identify my biggest priorities and giving that my full attention.

What’s something most people don’t know about you?

I’m a lifelong hockey player! During my time at St. Olaf College, I was honored to serve as captain of the women’s hockey team and was also named to the MIAC All-Conference Team.