Robert W. Vaccaro
Of Counsel33 S. Sixth Street
Suite 4400
Minneapolis, MN 55402
Rob’s litigation practice includes the trial and appeal of commercial, insurance coverage, and product liability disputes. He represents large corporations, small businesses, non-profit organizations, and individuals in state and federal courts throughout the country.
Rob represents sophisticated parties in the energy, financial and manufacturing industries. He has defended product liability cases arising out of various products, including:
- Aviation
- Chemicals
- Construction
- Consumer and commercial heating
- Industrial controls
- Dairy equipment
- Medical devices
Rob also represents insurers and insureds in litigation involving Commercial General Liability (CGL) policies, Errors and Omissions (E&O) policies, Directors and Officers Liability (D&O) policies, and Homeowners policies, among others. Finally, Rob has handled a variety of other litigation—including cases involving clergy misconduct, privacy, real estate, and securities matters—as well as significant local counsel assignments statewide.
- Georgetown University Law Center, J.D., 2001
- Boston University, B.A., Phi Beta Kappa, summa cum laude, 1997
- Rule 12 dismissal of $37M commercial business interruption claims on behalf of Fortune 50 industrial conglomerate.
- Defense verdict in insurance coverage dispute. Previously obtained favorable summary judgment ruling dismissing claims of bad faith, misrepresentation and violation of Unfair Claims Practices Act. Briefed and argued appeal, securing affirmance.
- Partial summary judgment for valve manufacturer as to strict liability and breach of warranty claims, followed by dismissal of remaining failure to warn claim on the first day of trial.
- Summary judgment for gas control manufacturer in wrongful death case stemming from explosion and fire.
- Summary judgment for insurer in Miller v. Shugart coverage dispute involving Professional Services Liability Policy.
- Defense Research Institute
- Hennepin County Bar Association
- Minnesota State Bar Association
- Named to the Rising Stars list, Thomson Reuters, 2006-2014