Joseph P. Ceronsky
Partner
Overview
Joe Ceronsky focuses his practice primarily on product liability litigation, successfully defending medical device and pharmaceutical manufacturers in all stages of dispute resolution and litigation. Joe has particularly significant experience with federal preemption of claims involving drugs and medical devices and testing and analysis of products subject to litigation. He also represents clients in complex business, intellectual property, and insurance coverage litigation.
In addition, Joe devotes significant time to pro bono work, most recently representing victims of domestic abuse in contested order for protection trials.
Joe received his J.D., magna cum laude, from the University of Minnesota Law School, and his bachelor's degree, magna cum laude, from St. John's University in Collegeville, Minnesota.
Experience
- Successfully defended major medical device company in nationwide litigation involving PMA and 510k devices.
- Obtained default judgment for medical device company against foreign distributor.
- Indiezone, Inc. et al. v. Rooke et al. (N.D. Cal. 2013). Successfully defended technology company against 27-count complaint brought by domestic and international plaintiffs alleging over $1 billion in damages for trade secret misappropriation, civil RICO, copyright and trademark infringement. Obtained order dismissing one plaintiff for lack of standing and requiring remaining plaintiff to arbitrate against certain defendants. Prior to arbitration, successfully moved court to dismiss entire lawsuit with prejudice and award attorneys' fees, which was affirmed on appeal.
- Select Comfort Corporation v. John Baxter et al., Civil No. 12-2899 (DWF/SER) (D. Minn.). Successfully represented defendants in trademark infringement/false advertising action involving specialty retail mattresses.
- Avon State Bank v. BancInsure, Inc., 787 F.3d 952 (8th Cir. 2015). Counsel for Avon State Bank in successful federal district court case and Eighth Circuit appeal involving coverage dispute under a fidelity bond for the bank's liability to third parties arising from an employee's misappropriation of bank funds in furtherance of a Liberian advance-money scheme.
Honors
Recognized on Minnesota Rising Stars list as part of the Super Lawyers® selection process, 2020-2021 (Minnesota Rising Stars is a designation given to only 2.5% of Minnesota attorneys each year, based on a selection process that includes the recommendation of peers in the legal profession.)
Selected for inclusion in Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch, 2021-2022 (These awards recognize attorneys, who are earlier in their careers, for outstanding professional excellence in private practice in the United States.)
North Star Lawyer, Minnesota State Bar Association, 2012-2014, 2018, 2022 (North Star Lawyer is a designation that recognizes members who provide 50 hours or more of pro bono legal services in a calendar year.)