Minneapolis, Minnesota – Tara Sutton, a partner at Robins Kaplan in Minneapolis, has established herself as an accomplished mass tort litigator. With a background in high-profile cases against Big Tobacco, she now leads the firm’s Mass Tort Group. Sutton’s dedication and legal expertise have led to significant victories in her career.
One such victory occurred in 1998 when Sutton was part of a trial team representing the State of Minnesota and Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota in the Big Tobacco litigation. The team successfully alleged antitrust and consumer fraud claims against cigarette makers such as Philip Morris Cos. and R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Co., resulting in a groundbreaking $6.6 billion settlement.
Since then, Sutton has taken on a variety of high-stakes mass tort cases. In a products liability trial involving the Parkinson’s drug Mirapex, she secured a jury verdict of $8.2 million in July 2008. Sutton also played a crucial role in negotiating $590 million in settlements for Native American tribes in a national opioid litigation against Johnson & Johnson and the three largest U.S. drug distributors.
Recently, Sutton tried a case for the State of Minnesota concerning the marketing practices of e-cigarette maker Juul. The case settled for $60.5 million just before closing arguments. Additionally, she is currently handling a lawsuit involving a fatal auto accident allegedly caused by a driver losing control of his vehicle after inhaling compressed gas from a canister of CRC Industries’ “Duster” product.
In an interview with Lawdragon, Sutton discussed her career and the passion that drives her work. She expressed her satisfaction in being able to help people facing difficult situations and provide them with resources for a fresh start or to meet their needs. Sutton also reflected on her early experiences as a young lawyer working on the Big Tobacco case against significant odds, including the battle to overcome attorney-client privilege and expose critical scientific research hidden by the tobacco companies.
Sutton’s dedication to seeking justice extends beyond her notable cases. She was instrumental in bringing the first trial against Juul and highlighted the importance of bringing cases to trial to expose information and hold corporations accountable. Sutton emphasized the need for transparency and fairness in her style as a lawyer, earning a reputation for being straightforward and not playing games.
As the mass tort landscape evolves, Sutton has observed a trend of cases becoming more fiercely contested and lengthy. She expressed concern over the increasing use of bankruptcy techniques to evade liability and the growing inefficiency of resolving cases promptly. Throughout her career, Sutton has remained loyal to Robins Kaplan due to the firm’s commitment to providing the best legal services and its belief that everyone, not just companies, deserves the best lawyers.
In her continued pursuit of justice, Sutton is currently focused on a unique but devastating problem: challenges posed by the misuse of electronic dusting spray. She has been litigating cases involving accidents caused by individuals inhaling the product to experience a cheap high, leading to tragedies on the roads. By utilizing accepted tort law principles, Sutton aims to address this public health epidemic and hold manufacturers accountable.
Tara Sutton’s impressive track record and unwavering dedication make her a force to be reckoned with in the realm of mass tort litigation. Her commitment to helping those who have suffered while seeking accountability and justice is an inspiration to her peers and clients alike.