  Kim M. Ruckdaschel-Haley Attorney kruckdaschelhaley@bestlaw.com connect here Thank you for adding my contact information. It's a great way for us to keep in touch. Best & Flanagan provides a platform where I can provide thoughtful and effective representation for clients to advance their interests. It feels great to be surrounded by a team of smart and practical attorneys who work together toward this common goal.
Kim Ruckdaschel-Haley is an experienced litigator who regularly represents institutions and individuals in complex commercial litigation and arbitration matters, including trust and probate, securities, contract, fiduciary duty, corporate governance, and other disputes. She also provides advice in an effort to find efficient solutions short of the courtroom where doing so meets clients' goals.
Kim has extensive experience litigating in both federal and state courts, as well as in resolving matters through arbitration, including AAA, FINRA (formerly NASD), and other arbitration forums. Active in pro bono work, Kim serves as a conciliation court referee for the First Judicial District Court, and has received awards for her work in representing indigent clients in immigration and expungement matters. Experience
- Obtained early dismissal of loan originator in ResCap Liquidating Trust Litigation (Minnesota Federal District Court -- consolidated action of over 60 cases involving mortgage-backed securities).
- In Minnesota State Court, represented trust company in litigation involving claims of first impression under the Tax Relief, Unemployment Insurance Reauthorization, and Job Creation Act of 2010 -- obtained requested Court ruling on declaratory relief sought.
- Summary judgment in favor of Fortune 100 client binding Fortune 100 adversary to lease terms, finding adversary to be in breach of lease restrictions, and determining that client's claims were not barred by statute of limitations, laches, and waiver.
- Represented corporate trustee of South Dakota dynasty trust through multi-jurisdictional dispute involving federal courts and state court, securing approval of fiduciary fees, preservation of South Dakota situs, and no liability for corporate trustee caught in the middle of a familial dispute.
- Represented credit card issuer against class action claims under the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA) and California FDCPA – resulted in resolution for defense costs, with settlement paid 100 percent by the other defendant debt collector.
- Defended securities issuer against federal and state securities fraud claims involving multi-million dollar bond offering; early-stage motions to dismiss resulted in dismissal of securities fraud claims, as well as various common law claims.
- Represented credit card issuer in multiple complex litigation actions alleging wrongful practice in connection with the marketing, sale and administration of ancillary products – achieved early resolution for defense costs.
- Represented corporate fiduciary in defense of breach of fiduciary duty claims – result was dismissal of all claims against client and allowance of its fees incurred.
- Represented financial services institution against claims alleging breach of fiduciary duty in multi-million dollar conservatorship -- result included resolution of all claims with no payment by institution.
- Multiple arbitration awards in favor of Fortune 100 client for monetary damages and attorneys' fees against retailers for amounts owed by contract for products and services.
- Defended several related companies against claims brought by a minority shareholder. Motion practice resulted in early dismissal of several of the companies from the litigation, defeat of the minority shareholder's receivership motion, and dismissal of the majority of the shareholder's claims, resulting in favorable settlement for clients of remaining claims.
- Defended individual directors and owners of a limited-liability company against claims brought by a disgruntled member seeking over $3 million in alleged damages. Motion practice resulted in dismissal of the claims against several of the individuals, followed by arbitration which resulted in a favorable award for the remaining corporate defendants.
University of South Dakota, 1993, Masters of Public Administration, with highest honors University of South Dakota School of Law, 1991, J.D. First in Class, Editor-in-Chief South Dakota Law Review South Dakota State University, 1987, B.A., with highest honors State of Minnesota State of California U.S. District Court, District of Minnesota U.S. District Court, Southern District of California U.S. District Court, Eastern District of California Professional Associations
- Minnesota State Bar Association
- Civil Litigation Council, 2018 to present
- Member, Probate and Trust Section, 2008-present
- Minnesota Women Lawyers, Member
- Hennepin County Bar Association
- American Bar Association
- Federal Bar Association
- Conciliation Court Referee, Minnesota First Judicial District Court
- Dartmouth Women’s Rugby Advisory Council
- Volunteer Lawyers Network (VLN), volunteer for pro bono matters
- Minnesota Youth Rugby, volunteer and former Board member
- Hopkins Royals RFC, volunteer and former officer
- Westwood Lutheran Church, former Secretary, Congregation Council
- Life’s Missing Link, former Board Member
- BRAVO music volunteer for elementary students
- Best Lawyers in America®, 2020-present
- Trusts and Estates Litigation
- Top Lawyers in Minnesota, Minnesota Monthly, 2022-present
- Trusts and Estates Litigation
- Thomson Reuters Stand-out Lawyers, 2022
- Alan J. Davis Award, Ballard Spahr LLP, 2019
- North Star Lawyer, Minnesota State Bar Association, 2013-2023
- Pro Bono All Star, 2020-2021
- Leonard E. Lindquist Pro Bono Award, Lindquist & Vennum LLP, 2008
- Minnesota 100 Leadership Program
I enjoy watching my adult children play rugby, including traveling to see my daughter play NCAA rugby on the East Coast and my son play rugby for Metropolis RFC locally. jlammers@bestlaw.com P 612.349.5696 |
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