Leah C. Janus

Leah’s practice includes all areas of complex commercial litigation in state and federal courts throughout the country.

Leah leads winning trial teams, taking on multibillion-dollar and multimillion-dollar cases for clients across many industries and subject-matters, including all aspects of retail law, class action defense, insurance, contract and licensing disputes, shareholder disputes, and business torts. Leah has tried cases to jury verdict and the bench in state and federal courts throughout the country. Leah also advises industry-leading companies on complex and high reputational risk issues.

Leah’s excellence in these areas is recognized by her peers and clients. She is recognized as a top business litigator by Minnesota Super Lawyers and Best Lawyers in America, and clients describe Leah as an excellent partner, who is strategic, practical, and achieves outstanding results.

Within Fredrikson, Leah is the Co-Chair of the Business Litigation Department and is the Chair of the firm’s Attorney Development and Retention Committee.

• Trial counsel for one of the largest multi-national insurers in 3-week jury trial on complex breach of contract and copyright claims in federal court; successfully defended $21 billion disgorgement claim.
• Trial counsel for one of the largest multi-national insurers in successful trial of damages claim in federal court, obtaining verdict awarding less than 10% of compensatory damages sought.
• Lead counsel in successful trial representing major retailer in the federal court on issues relating to enforceability of vendor contract.
• Lead counsel for major retailer in federal consumer class action relating to gift card laws, obtaining complete voluntary dismissal of action.
• Lead counsel for major retailer in consumer class action involving claims relating to email marketing and pixel tracking, obtaining complete dismissal of complaint.
• Lead counsel for major retailer in consumer class action involving claims of false advertising.
• Lead counsel defending the Minnesota State Fair against claims seeking to allow individuals to carry guns on the fairgrounds. Defeated motion for preliminary injunction on the eve of the 2021 fair, and obtained dismissal with prejudice on the merits under Rule 12(b)(6) prior to the 2022 fair. 
• Defended industry-leading medical device company and its Directors and Officers in significant putative class action alleging state securities claims relating to the largest inversion transaction of its time, obtaining denial of class certification on the grounds that the case involved individual questions regarding fact of injury, causation, and amount of damages. Case subsequently dismissed by stipulation.
• Defended putative class action alleging misstatements and omissions in violation of the anti-fraud provisions of Section 10(b) of the Exchange Act and SEC Rule 10b-5, and control person liability under Section 20(a). Prevailed on Motion to Dismiss the original Complaint, and on Motion to Dismiss the Amended Complaint.
• Defended third-party defendant in ERISA case against contractual and equitable indemnification claims brought by company and directors. Obtained complete dismissal of claims on motion to dismiss.
• Defended transmission company in lawsuit challenging actions as unconstitutional. Prevailed on Rule 12 Motion to Dismiss dormant commerce clause claims.
• Defended public company against putative class action claims against the company, and its directors and officers, obtaining complete dismissal of claims after appointment of a special litigation committee. Plaintiffs asserted state securities claims and common law claims.
• Defended companies in multi-billion dollar lawsuit asserting claims of fraudulent transfer, alter ego, piercing the corporate veil, and agency liability. Obtained Rule 12 dismissal with prejudice of all claims.
• Defended bank against fraud and breach of contract claims brought by former account holders, obtaining a favorable resolution for the bank after discovery and motion practice.
• Defended public company in a putative class action alleging that a tender offer undervalued the company’s stock. After the Court denied the plaintiff’s motion for expedited discovery, the plaintiff’s claims were dismissed with prejudice.
• Defended a Bank against breach of contract and fiduciary duty claims by a former customer associated with a participation agreement and complex loan transaction. The case was dismissed on summary judgment and the decision upheld at the court of appeals.
• Represented the general partner of a limited partnership in a putative class action by the limited partners. The plaintiffs’ motion for class certification was denied, and the case was resolved on favorable terms.
• Represented a mail/rebate-processing company against its former customer in a breach of contract action. Obtained a favorable award of damages after an arbitration of the matter.
• Defended several public company clients in shareholder class actions lawsuits, including expedited pre-closing/merger proceedings.

Education

• University of Minnesota Law School, J.D., 2004, magna cum laude
• Carleton College, B.A., 1999, magna cum laude

Admissions

• Minnesota, 2004
• U.S. District Court for the District of Minnesota, 2005

Clerkships

• Judicial Clerkship, Honorable Richard H. Kyle, U.S. District Court for the District of Minnesota, 2004-2006

• Best Lawyers in America, Commercial Litigation, 2020-2025
• Minnesota Super Lawyers, Business Litigation, 2024
• North Star Lawyer, Minnesota State Bar Association, 2017-2021
• Minnesota Super Lawyers Rising Star, Business Litigation, 2014
• Order of the Coif

Professional Activities

• Federal Bar Association, Minnesota Chapter
• Minnesota State Bar Association