James H. Kaster

James Kaster has been widely recognized by the legal community for his abilities as both a trial lawyer and an employment lawyer. He was ranked by Chambers USA as number one among plaintiff’s employment lawyers in the state of Minnesota. He has also been named to the Super Lawyers list in Minnesota year after year and was selected as one of the Top 100 Lawyers in the state by the Minnesota Journal of Law and Politics.

Jim was also selected as a Fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers, the premier professional trial organization in America whose membership is limited to 1% of the trial lawyers in any state or province. Finally, he was selected to be a Fellow in the prestigious National College of Labor and Employment Lawyers, an organization with an exclusive membership of leading labor and employment lawyers nationwide.

Jim is an eloquent and persuasive speaker, with the unique ability to present his arguments in a manner that is easily understood by juries and judges. He has tried well over 100 cases to verdict or decision, earning many million dollar and multi-million dollar recoveries. He has also lectured frequently in front of local, state, and national organizations on damage recovery and trial skills, as well as many other legal topics.

Jim has been involved in a wide variety of individual and class action cases. His remarkable combination of skills as a trial lawyer gives him a unique edge in effectively representing individuals and groups of employees.

Email: James H. Kaster
Phone: 612.256.3202
FAX: 612.338.4878

Admissions

United States Supreme Court

Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals

Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals

U.S. District Court for Minnesota

Minnesota Supreme Court

Wisconsin Supreme Court

California Supreme Court

U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California

U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of California

U.S. District Court for the Southern District of California

U.S. District Court for the Central District of California

U.S. District Court for the Western District of Wisconsin

Education

J.D. 1979, Marquette University

B.A. 1976, Marquette University

Publications/Speaking Engagements

2010 NELA Annual Convention: Discovery in a Plaintiff’s Employment Practice

2010 Upper Midwest ELI: Strategic Case and Trial Planning

2010 New Lawyers Experience Keynote Speaker: Making and Building Your Reputation in the Practice of Law

2009 Upper Midwest ELI: Planning the Case, Choosing the Theme

2009 Upper Midwest ELI: Closing the Deal

2008 Labor & Employment Law Institute: Negotiating and Litigating with the EEOC

2008 Upper Midwest ELI: Bringing and Defending Age Discrimination Claims

2008 Upper Midwest ELI: Advanced Trial Practice: Plaintiff’s Panel on Winning the Retaliation Case

2008 NELA Trial Practice Seminar: Opening Statements

2007 NELA Annual Convention: A View from the Bench: Trial & Appellate Advocacy

2007 NELA Annual Convention: The Discovery Exchange

2007 Lorman Education Services: Everyday Ethics

2007 Upper Midwest ELI: Confessions of a Plaintiffs' Lawyer

United We Stand: Immigrant Labor and the Law, Minnesota Trial Lawyer, Vol. 31, No. 3, Summer 2006 (co-author)

Rule 35 Mental Health Evaluation in Sexual Harassment Cases, Minnesota Trial Lawyer, Vol. 31, No. 2, Spring 2006 (author)

2006 17th Annual National NELA Convention: Employment Rights Section, Getting and Keeping Punitive Damages, Association of Trial Lawyers of America

2006 Upper Midwest Employment Law Institute: Advanced Trial Practice-Impact Litigation

2006 Upper Midwest Employment Law Institute: Advanced Trial Practice—The Strategic Litigator

2006 NELA Spring Seminar, Accommodating Disabilities & Family and Medical Leaves in the Workplace: Setting the Stage and Closing the Deal: Opening & Closing Statements, National Employment Lawyers Association

2005 Upper Midwest Employment Law Institute: Advanced Trial Practice—Focusing on the Secrets for Winning or Losing at Trial

2005 Upper Midwest Employment Law Institute: Advanced Trial Practice—Focus on how the Harassment Case is Won or Lost

Titles/Awards/Memberships

Named one of "The Best Lawyers in America"
Named one of “Top 40 Employment Law Lawyers”
Named to the Super Lawyers list, Minnesota Law and Politics (2nd Top Point Getter in 2008)
Named a “Top Lawyer,” Mpls./St. Paul Magazine
Named in “Who’s Who in Employment Law,” Minnesota Law and Politics
Certified Civil Trial Specialist
Received Martindale Hubbell, A.V. rating
College of Labor and Employment Lawyers
Law and Leading Attorneys
American College of Trial Lawyers Member
Academy of Certified Trial Lawyers Association Member
National Employment Lawyers Association (NELA) Board Member
National Board of Trial Advocacy Member
Minnesota National Employment Lawyers Association (MNELA) Member
Minnesota Trial Lawyers Association, Board of Governors and Executive Committee Member
Minnesota State Bar Association Member
Hennepin County State Bar Association Member
Wisconsin State Bar Association Member
Fellow, College of Labor & Employment Law
The Top 100 Lawyers in the State of Minnesota
California State Bar Association Member