Erica Holzer and Tom Pack Selected as 2018 "Up & Coming Attorneys" by Minnesota Lawyer

Maslon is pleased to announce that Erica Holzer and Tom Pack, attorneys in Maslon's Litigation Group, have been named 2018 "Up & Coming Attorneys" by Minnesota Lawyer. The recognition highlights lawyers in their first 10 years of practice who have already distinguished themselves by their achievements. The criteria for selection includes professional accomplishment and leadership service to the community and the profession.

Erica is a rising star in Maslon's litigation group and represents clients in complex commercial disputes, product liability litigation, and appeals. She was recently appointed by the Chief Justice of the Minnesota Supreme Court to serve as a member of the Supreme Court Advisory Committee on the Minnesota Rules of Civil Appellate Procedure, and she also serves on the Governing Council of the Minnesota State Bar Association's Appellate Practice Section, the MSBA's Ad Hoc Judicial Elections Committee, and the Board of Directors of the Minnesota Supreme Court Historical Society.

Erica has taken on significant leadership roles for several major clients over the past few years. Maslon clients regularly comment that they view Erica not only as a sophisticated lawyer and trusted legal advisor, but also as a valuable business partner. Her strategic instincts and exceptional writing abilities have secured key wins for Maslon clients, both at the trial level and on appeal.

Erica is also deeply committed to pro bono service and has provided representation on several high-profile and important matters. Of particular note:

• Erica represented the American Civil Liberties Union of Minnesota in its lawsuit, and subsequent appeal, against the City of St. Anthony and the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension to force the release of squad camera videos documenting the police killing of Philando Castile in July 2016.
• Erica played a central role on the team of Maslon attorneys working with the Innocence Project of Minnesota that successfully obtained Terry Olson's early release from prison in 2016. She currently serves as Mr. Olson's lead attorney in a civil rights lawsuit seeking damages for his wrongful conviction and incarceration.

Tom is a dynamic young leader at Maslon with a swiftly growing litigation practice. He represents businesses in product liability matters and in other complex business litigation. He helps clients navigate all stages of the litigation process throughout many forums, including federal and state courts, mediation, and arbitration.

Tom is committed to serving the profession and broader community through fierce advocacy for the LGBTQ+ and Native American communities, including the following efforts:

• Tom is a member of the Board of Directors of RECLAIM, a St. Paul-based nonprofit organization that provides mental health services and support for queer and trans youth in the Twin Cities, so they can reclaim their lives from oppression in all of its forms. 
• Tom has successfully obtained grants of asylum for LGBTQ+ immigrants and has several pending cases with LGBTQ+ people from around the world seeking protection in the United States.
• Tom is a citizen of the Cherokee Nation of Oklahoma and is on the Young Lawyers Committee of the National Native American Bar Association, which aims to advance diversity and increased understanding of the communities' unique cultural and legal issues—and share the communal responsibility of protecting the governmental sovereignty of the more than 560 independent Native American tribal governments in the United States.

At Maslon, both Erica and Tom are active members of the Diversity & Inclusion Committee and founding members of Maslon's Diverse Attorneys Resource Group, which provides resources, mentoring, support, community, and engagement opportunities to attorneys of color and LGBTQ+ attorneys at Maslon.

To read the full list of honorees, go to: 2018 Up & Coming Attorneys, Unsung Legal Heroes.