Russell S. Ponessa
Russell S. Ponessa
Partner
He/Him
"Grit, empathy, and attention to detail are the hallmarks of a successful trial lawyer."

Russell S. Ponessa
Partner
He/Him
"Grit, empathy, and attention to detail are the hallmarks of a successful trial lawyer."
About Russ
A trial lawyer with more than three decades of experience, Russ represents companies whose products or business practices are under attack. He has a wide-ranging civil litigation practice with substantial experience in product and professional liability, medical devices, toxic torts, construction, business and other commercial disputes, and consumer claims.
Russ has tried numerous cases to verdict and handles single and multiple-claim lawsuits in state and federal courts from coast to coast. His clients are manufacturers and sellers of consumer, industrial, and healthcare products, legal, medical, and construction professionals, construction companies and contractors, insurers, banks, and other businesses.
Areas of Focus
Experience
- Oien v. Home Depot U.S.A., Inc., et al., 69 F. 4th 487 (8th Cir. 2023)
- Withrow v. General Motors, et al., 2021 Cal. Super. LEXIS 7065
- Markel v. Douglas Techs. Grp., Inc., No. 19-2637, 2020 U.S. App. LEXIS 24786 (8th Cir. Aug. 6, 2020)
- Stewart v. Norcold, Inc., et al., 2020 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 45087 (D. Minn. Mar. 16, 2020)
- Mickelson v. County of Ramsey, 823 F.3d 918 (8th Cir. 2016), cert. denied sub nom., Mickelson v. County of Ramsey, Minn., 137 S. Ct. 1578 (2017)
Recognition
- Martindale-Hubbell, AV® Peer Review Rating
- American College of Trial Lawyers (ACTL), Fellow
- National Board of Trial Advocacy and Minnesota Civil Trial Certification Council, Certification, Civil Trial Specialist
- The Best Lawyers in America®, Personal Injury Litigation – Defendants, 2017 – 2026; Product Liability Litigation – Defendants, 2017 – 2026
- Minnesota Monthly, Top Lawyer, Personal Injury Law, 2023; Mass Tort Litigation/Class Actions, 2024; Product Liability, 2025
- Minnesota Super Lawyers, 1998 – present; Top 100 Super Lawyers, 2012 – 2015, 2017
Credentials
Education
- University of Minnesota Law School, JD, cum laude, 1985
- University of Minnesota, BA, 1981
Bar Admissions
- Minnesota
Court Admissions
- US Supreme Court
- US Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit
- US Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit
- US Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit
- US Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit
- US District Court for the District of Colorado
- US District Court for the District of Minnesota
- US District Court for the District of North Dakota
Thought Leadership
Event
Hinshaw Newsletter
Press Releases
- 102 Hinshaw Lawyers Recognized in 2026 Editions of The Best Lawyers in America® and Ones to Watch™, Aug 21, 2025
- Three Hinshaw Partners Named to Minnesota Monthly's 2025 Top Lawyers in Minnesota, Jul 10, 2025
- 105 Hinshaw Lawyers Recognized in 2025 Editions of Best Lawyers in America and Ones to Watch, Aug 15, 2024
- Three Hinshaw Partners Named to Minnesota Monthly's Top Lawyers of 2024, Jul 9, 2024
- 101 Hinshaw Lawyers Recognized in 2024 Editions of Best Lawyers in America and Ones to Watch, Aug 17, 2023
Thought Leadership
Event
Hinshaw Newsletter
Press Releases
- 102 Hinshaw Lawyers Recognized in 2026 Editions of The Best Lawyers in America® and Ones to Watch™, Aug 21, 2025
- Three Hinshaw Partners Named to Minnesota Monthly's 2025 Top Lawyers in Minnesota, Jul 10, 2025
- 105 Hinshaw Lawyers Recognized in 2025 Editions of Best Lawyers in America and Ones to Watch, Aug 15, 2024
- Three Hinshaw Partners Named to Minnesota Monthly's Top Lawyers of 2024, Jul 9, 2024
- 101 Hinshaw Lawyers Recognized in 2024 Editions of Best Lawyers in America and Ones to Watch, Aug 17, 2023
Russ's Insights

Press Release
Aug 21, 2025
102 Hinshaw Lawyers Recognized in 2026 Editions of The Best Lawyers in America® and Ones to Watch™

Press Release
Jul 10, 2025
Three Hinshaw Partners Named to Minnesota Monthly's 2025 Top Lawyers in Minnesota

Press Release
Aug 15, 2024
105 Hinshaw Lawyers Recognized in 2025 Editions of Best Lawyers in America and Ones to Watch

Press Release
Jul 9, 2024
Three Hinshaw Partners Named to Minnesota Monthly's Top Lawyers of 2024

Press Release
Aug 17, 2023
101 Hinshaw Lawyers Recognized in 2024 Editions of Best Lawyers in America and Ones to Watch

Press Release
Jul 31, 2023
Amy DuMond Kottke and Russell Ponessa Named to Minnesota Monthly's Top Lawyers of 2023

Press Release
Mar 2, 2022
Hinshaw Partner Russell S. Ponessa Admitted to American College of Trial Lawyers

Press Release
Aug 19, 2021
Sixty-Seven Hinshaw Lawyers Recognized in 2022 Edition of Best Lawyers

Press Release
Aug 15, 2019
40 Hinshaw Lawyers Recognized in the 2020 Edition of The Best Lawyers in America©

Press Release
Aug 15, 2018
43 Hinshaw Lawyers Recognized in 2019 Edition of Best Lawyers in America®