George W. Kuehner

Areas of Practice

George Kuehner is a partner with Jardine, Logan & O’Brien, P.L.L.P. With more than 42 years of experience representing clients in civil and administrative litigation, George prides himself in developing both professional and personal relationships with his clients. He understands that effective representation requires not only extensive experience and detailed knowledge of the law, but a personal understanding of the client’s unique needs and goals in the litigation process. Practicing in the areas of:

Workers’ Compensation. George provides assistance and counseling to insurance companies, their insureds, self-insureds and self-insurance associations in avoiding, controlling, litigating and settling workers’ compensation claims. He defends insurance companies, business clients and public employers in all aspects of workers’ compensation litigation. George also has experience representing injured workers, giving him insight into litigation from all perspectives.

He serves as counsel for self-insured groups, as well as self-insured employers in industries such as medical technology, animal production, agriculture, and manufacturing. George represents numerous public employers in their workers’ compensation matters, including government agencies and school districts. He is a frequent speaker on workers’ compensation topics and related issues to trade organizations and other groups.

Civil Litigation. George’s work in civil litigation involves the defense of automobile, no-fault, dram shop, general liability/negligence, and other tort litigation. His knowledge and experience was recognized by the U.S. District Court, District of Minnesota, which appointed him as Special Master in the case of Conwed Company v. Union Carbide.

About

George joined Jardine, Logan & O’Brien in 1980. He has received an AV® Peer Review Rating in the distinguished legal directory, Martindale-Hubbell®.*

*AV® is a certification mark of Reed Elsevier Properties Inc., used in accordance with the Martindale-Hubbell certification procedures, standards and policies.

Recent Decision

• Allan. R.D. Offutt Co., 869 N.W.2d 31 (Minn. 2015). Supreme Court reversed 17 year old precedent of Workers’ Compensation Court of Appeals interpretation of the permanent total disability threshold. The Supreme Court held only vocationally limiting disabilities can be used to reach the permanent partial disability threshold for bringing a permanent total disability claim.

Representative Experience

• Todd v. Westwind Village (WCCA Feb. 5, 2013)
• Todd v. Westwind Village (WCCA Nov. 10, 2011)
• Williams v. Chisholm Heath Center, 67 WCD 551 (2007)
• Madden v. Prairie Community Services (WCCA Jan 5, 2007)
• Durkee v. Starkey Laboratories (WCCA Jun 23, 2006)
• Glasgow v. Franciscan Health (WCCA May 2, 2005)
• Murphy v. Dakota Electric Co. (WCCA Feb 23, 2004)
• Turek v. Northfield Freezing, 652 N.W.2d 265 (Minn. 2002)
• American Hardware Mutual v. Darv’s Motor Sports, 427 N.W.2d 715 (Minn. Ct. App. 1988)
• Wakefield v. Federated Mutual Ins. Co., 344 N.W.2d 849 (Minn. 1984)

Bar Admissions

• Minnesota (1979)
• U.S. District Court for the District of Minnesota (1979)

Education

• J.D. cum laude, Hamline University School of Law – St. Paul, Minnesota (1979); Member, Hamline University Law Review
• B.A. St. Olaf College – Northfield, Minnesota (1976)

Professional Appointments

• Special Master for U.S. District Court for the District of Minnesota – Conwed Corporation v Union Carbide Corp (United States District Court, District of Minnesota CIV. NO. 59288)

Honors

• AV® Peer Review Rating, Martindale-Hubbell®*
• Recipient of the American Jurisprudence Award, Hamline University, 1979
• Silver Gavel Honor Society, Hamline University

Professional Memberships

• Minnesota Self-Insurers Association, Member
• Minnesota Defense Lawyers Association (MDLA)
• Minnesota State Bar Association (MSBA)
• Ramsey County Bar Association (RCBA)

Community Involvement

• Concordia University – St. Paul, Board of Regents Committee on Finance and Operations (2002-2008)
• Messiah Lutheran Church Leadership Council; Assistant Director (2008-2011)
• Coach youth baseball and basketball