Steven R. Kluz
Experience
Steve Kluz is a partner of the firm who represents clients involved in complex
insurance litigation and regulatory matters with a focus on problems unique to the
property damage insurance claims industry. Steve defends insurance companies and
their insureds in transportation liability matters, personal injury and wrongful death
cases, bad faith claims, coverage disputes, claims practices cases, and valuation
disputes. In products liability cases, Steve has defended claims of negligence and
strict products liability for alleged manufacturing and design defects, as well as
allegations of inadequate warnings, failure to warn, and breaches in warranty. Steve
also represents and counsels clients in a variety of commercial litigation and business
matters, including breach of contract, trade secrets, trade regulation, tortious
interference with business relations and contracts, defamation, and unfair
competition claims. He has experience trying cases to a jury and serving as lead
counsel in complex, binding arbitrations. Steve currently serves on the firm’s Coaching
and Mentoring Committee.
Representative Work
Steve has wide-ranging experience arbitrating and trying large cases, including
complex multiclaim commercial cases. He handles pretrial discovery issues, motion
practice and appeals. His experience includes:

Secured summary judgment for insurance company clients in case involving tens
Partner
Minneapolis, MN
(612) 373-8824 direct
(612) 373-8881 fax
steve.kluz@stoel.com
Education

cum laude
of thousands of breach of contract property damage claims arising in 16 states;
obtained successful confidential settlement of all claims.



Settled two-phase auction rate securities case against broker-dealer on behalf of
Admissions
Lead counsel for two Minnesota counties in binding arbitration involving eight-

Minnesota
figure valuation of facility that produces refuse-derived fuel as part of waste-to-

U.S. District Court for the District of
Minnesota

U.S. District Court for the Western
Obtained transfer of seven-figure breach of supply agreement case from
District of Michigan
plaintiff's backyard in Michigan to defendant co-op's home in Wisconsin and
obtained summary judgment on statute of frauds theory.

Obtained transfer of complex interest rates swap case from New York federal
court to Missouri, concluding with favorable confidential settlement for biodiesel
fuel company.

Carleton College, B.A. History, 1993,
cum laude
biodiesel fuel company for over $5 million.
energy process.

University of Minnesota, J.D., 1998,
Obtained district court order vacating arbitration award for auto glass business
and network of shops. Prevailed on appeal at the Minnesota Court of Appeals,
and was lead counsel for client at the Minnesota Supreme Court.

U.S. District Court for the Western
District of Wisconsin

U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eighth
Circuit
Steven R. Kluz

Lead counsel for estate in complicated, multiparty litigation, involving issues of equitable mortgage, negotiable instruments,
and receivership law, that culminated in transfer to estate of multiple businesses and parcels of real estate.

Obtained dismissal of seven-figure loss of prospective profit claim brought against food production and packaging company.

Successfully defeated consolidation of hundreds of property damage claims and obtained summary judgment for insurance
company clients in U.S. District Court.

Lead counsel for insurance companies in numerous multiclaim binding arbitrations.

Represented victims in Tom Petters fraud and Bernard Madoff fraud.

Co-counsel in obtaining multimillion-dollar wrongful-death judgment against trucker and trucking company, and judgment
against insurer in related declaratory judgment trial.

Obtained summary judgment for automobile dealership in case concerning misappropriation of trade secrets and tortious
interference with contract.

Successfully represented victims of terrorist attacks in obtaining benefits from September 11th Victim Compensation Fund of
2001.
Professional Honors and Activities

Member, Minnesota State Bar Association

Member, American Bar Association

Member, Federal Bar Association
Publications

"Products Liability," The Law of Outdoor Industries, Stoel Rives LLP, 2012
Civic Activities

Board Member, North Oaks Home Owners' Association 2014-present.