Randi J. Winter, Spencer Fane

Minneapolis Managing Partner 

What are the biggest challenges you currently see in business litigation?

Managing client expectations arising from the significant length of time it typically takes to secure judicial rulings on dispositive motions that are likely to narrow the issues in a case and put the parties on a path toward resolution.

And having an early and effective game plan for handling electronic discovery.

What are the biggest misconceptions about the field of business litigation?

That it is somehow easier than other types of litigation because “all we are fighting about is money.” Whether a client is a massive global entity or a small family-owned business, the client representatives involved in the litigation are likely to take the allegations very personally. It causes them to lose sleep and anxiety, even when they have not personally been accused of any wrongdoing.

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

A noncompete and contract dispute relating to the manufacturing of manure spreaders. While I will zealously stand behind my client’s product in a figurative sense, I may not be so willing to literally stand behind it while in operation.

How do you manage work/life balance?

Setting reasonable and healthy boundaries. Do our jobs require us to work nights and weekends sometimes? Absolutely. Should we have to work every night and every weekend? No. This makes me a better lawyer, better spouse, and better mom.

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

I have a huge passion for the Minnesota State Fair … so much so that we took our wedding photos there, live across the street, and I enter some of the baking and canned goods contests each year. Opening Day of the Minnesota State Fair is the one day blocked off on my work calendar at least one year in advance, and yes, I do believe it constitutes good cause for postponing trial.