When it comes to major litigation, Byron is the attorney clients want in their corner to resolve complex environmental, regulatory and business disputes.
Overview
A seasoned trial lawyer, Byron handles major litigation and administrative proceedings for clients in mining, energy and other regulated industries, as well as business clients faced with environmental issues. Byron thrives on solving hard fought, hotly contested complex disputes. He excels at navigating complex regulations, finding the facts, leading teams of experts and attorneys, and developing strategies needed to resolve lengthy and complex environmental and business disputes, often in related cases in multiple jurisdictions.
Byron's cases with the Minnesota Attorney General's Office and in private practice attest to the litigation strengths clients need to resolve complex and difficult cases, when the going gets rough. His deep experience encompasses environmental enforcement and cost recovery suits, contested utility and energy matters, major facility permitting proceedings, consumer protection and business regulation enforcement proceedings before state and federal agencies, construction and design professional liability cases, commercial and intellectual property disputes, antitrust class actions, product liability cases and condemnation proceedings.
Experience
As deputy attorney general for the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency, Byron was the state's lead trial lawyer in what became the longest environmental enforcement trial in state history, U.S. v. Reserve Mining Co. The case was tried daily in U.S. District Court from August 1973 through May 1974, followed by a one-month remand trial on remedy in the summer of 1974. Byron argued 11 appeals in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit in this landmark case.
As Minnesota's chief deputy attorney general, Byron handled two cases that were briefed and argued in the U.S. Supreme Court (involving contract clause and equal protection clause issues respectively).
He served as national counsel in major products liability defense cases arising in multiple states (1991-2001).
Byron led a trial over the disputed valuation of the site for the new Minnesota Twins Ballpark before condemnation commissioner panel (2007).
Since 2008 Byron led a major Superfund cleanup effort and offensive and defensive cost recovery litigation for a major client.
Since 2012, Byron has co-led trials, appeals, and remand proceedings to require state regulation of groundwater appropriations to protect water levels in aquifers and connected surface waters for pro bono clients.
News & Insights
News
Recognitions
Recognitions
Recognized with the "Minnesota ICON Award" by Finance & Commerce and Minnesota Lawyer, 2021
Named an "Attorney of the Year" by Minnesota Lawyer, 2018
Recognized in The Best Lawyers in America® list in commercial litigation, energy law, environmental law, water law, mining law and personal injury litigation defense
Listed as a “litigation leader” in Benchmark Litigation
Selected for inclusion in Super Lawyers®
Recognized by Best Lawyers with the “Lawyer of the Year” award in the following categories:
- Administrative, 2011
- Litigation – Regulatory Enforcement, 2012
- Energy, 2014, 2025
- Litigation – Environmental, 2025
Professional & Civic Activities
Professional & Civic Activities
St. Paul Academy and Summit School, Trustee, Secretary of Board of Trustees, 1999–2011
Minnesota Center for Environmental Advocacy, Board of Directors, 2007–2009
University of Minnesota Joint Degree Program in Law, Health and the Life Sciences, Advisory Board, 2004–2012
Town & Country Club, Saint Paul, Minnesota, Board of Directors, Vice President and President, 2000–2006
Rocky Mountain Mineral Law Foundation
Minnesota Hazardous Substances Injury Compensation Board, Chair
Practices & Industries
Admissions
- Minnesota
- Illinois
- U.S. District Court for the District of Minnesota
- U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit
- U.S. Supreme Court
Education
University of Chicago Law School, J.D., 1969
- National Honor Scholar
- Rugby Club, President
Duke University, B.A., 1966
- Angier B. Duke Scholar
- Lacrosse Team, Captain
