Breaking the Ice: Wrongful death verdict ‘fulfilling on different level’

Listen to this article

St. Paul attorney Megan Curtis acknowledges she may never have another result like the $17 million wrongful death verdict she helped win in March for a woman murdered by her boyfriend. But she wants other lawyers to accomplish a similar achievement.

The verdict, which Curtis secured with attorney Paul Applebaum, was on behalf of the family and trustee of Phanny Phay, who was killed in 2017 by Andre Duprey. Charged with second-degree murder, he was found not guilty by reason of insanity.

The matter was challenging because little case law exists on wrongful death cases against people found not guilty by reason of insanity, and lawyers don’t typically pursue such claims unless the individual has a lot of assets.

“I have a lot of cases where I’ll make money in my career,” Curtis said. “This was fulfilling on a whole different level. I hope more lawyers get to experience something like this.”

A solo practitioner, Curtis focuses on personal injury, medical malpractice, civil rights and sexual assault cases.

Name: Megan Curtis

Title: Owner/partner at Megan Curtis Law

Education: B.A., legal studies, Hamline University; J.D., Mitchell Hamline School of Law

Q: Best way to start a conversation with you?

A: Probably with a joke. We all need more humor.

Q: Why law school?

A: In undergrad at Hamline, I liked the legal studies course and majored in legal studies. At the same time, I got my paralegal certificate, because law school is expensive, and I wanted to make sure I liked the field. I moved to Boston for a couple years between undergrad and law school. My sister lived out there. I worked in a big firm there as a paralegal. I was going to go to law school there but I missed Minnesota, so I came back.

Q: What are you reading?

A: If I had time to read a book, it would be great but I have a 7-month-old-baby. The only book I’m reading now is on taking corporate depositions. I read it every time before I do one.

Q: Pet peeve?

A: I’m a big-picture thinker when it comes to the law, and I hate when opposing counsel will just cite the law and have no common sense or bigger-picture arguments.

Q: Best part of your work?

A: The people, the clients and the lawyers I work with. Being a solo allows me to co-counsel with different legal personalities I like or want to learn from.

Q: Most challenging?

A: The people. It’s taught me a lot about empathy and patience. I’ve learned a lot about being an advocate from working with difficult clients.

Q: Favorite activity away from work?

A: Video gaming. Spending time with my family. Gardening. We have a huge cat, a Maine Coon.

Q: Where would you take someone visiting your hometown?

A: I’m from Red Wing. It’s really beautiful, walking down the main street. There’s a great bakery, Hanisch Bakery. I’d probably drive them out to where I grew up, which is called Hay Creek. Probably bring them to the little salon there to get a drink or experience it.

Q: Legal figure you admire?

A: Ruth Bader Ginsburg. She had a case, Weinberger v. Weisenfeld, about a man who was denied Social Security benefits, and was facing sexism. She thought, if I can prove that sexism shouldn’t exist against him, that will help women, too. That was brilliant, and I’ve tried to look at the opposite side ever since I read about that case.

Q: Misconception about your work?

A: I get a lot of misconceptions about what personal injury lawyers do. We’re not “Better Call Saul,” even though I love that show. It’s much more technical. You have a lot of adversary issues in personal injury cases. You’re dealing with claim adjusters and eventually attorneys. There are two, sometimes three cases in one with all the claims. It’s a lot harder than people think.

Q: Favorite book, movie or TV show about lawyers?

A: “Damages,” with Glenn Close. My ringtone on my cell phone is “Law & Order.” I’ve always loved that show.