Robert J Milavetz founded the law firm now known as Milavetz, Law, P.A. in 1963. Prior to starting the law firm, Robert Milavetz was a graduate of U High and the University of Minnesota. He earned his Juris Doctor degree at William Mitchell College of Law.
Robert’s passion was growing his law firm. He was an innovator as a businessperson and saw his firm grow from a solo office to a law firm that is now into its third generation with multiple attorneys and staff. Robert was a champion of the First Amendment and all forms of freedom of expression. He would tenaciously represent anyone that he believed had been wronged. He was well known for winning many cases in the late 1960’s that involved the right to show objectionable films and represented many who claimed conscientious objector status during the Vietnam war.
Mr. Milavetz was a prominent voice and practician in the legal field. He appeared frequently on television and radio programs, was featured in magazine and newspaper articles, authored legal articles and instructed on legal topics at local law schools, colleges, and continuing legal education seminars. Robert was a certified trial lawyer specialist and successfully tried numerous cases, including winning many significant appellate court decisions. Robert was named as a super lawyer by his peers and was selected as Minnesota Attorney of the Year in 2009.
Later in his career as a lawyer, Robert Milavetz was a named Plaintiff in the case of Milavetz, Gallop & Milavetz, P.A. v. United States of America, 559 US 229 (2010) which was argued in front of the Supreme Court of the United States and centered around an attorney’s first amendment right to give lawful and ethical advice to their client related to incurring debt and bankruptcy.
Robert Milavetz was a fierce and hard-nosed litigator for 61 years and was always on the side of the underdog, fighting for people’s civil rights, free speech, and compensation for their injuries. He helped thousands of people and fought for his clients to the end. The attorneys at Milavetz Law, P.A. are dedicating to continuing Robert’s legacy advocating for people’s rights and fighting for a just outcome on their case with conviction and determination.
Areas Of Practice
- Adoption
- Advertising
- Affirmative Action — Employee
- Age Discrimination
- Alimony & Spousal Support
- Americans with Disabilities Act — Employee
- Animal Bites — Plaintiff
- Assault & Battery — Plaintiff
- Aviation Accidents — Plaintiff
- Bankruptcy
- Child Support
- Childrens’ Rights
- Collaborative Law
- Complex Litigation
- Custody & Visitation
- Defamation & Privacy — Plaintiff
- Disability & Illness Discrimination
- Discrimination
- Divorce
- Domestic Violence & Neglect
- DUI/DWI
- Employment Contracts — Employee
- Employment Discrimination — Employee
- Ethics
- Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA) — Employee
- Federal Claims Court
- Felonies
- Freedom of Press
- Freedom of Religion
- Freedom of Speech
- Juvenile Law
- Legal Malpractice
- Medical Malpractice
- Misdemeanor
- Motor Vehicle Accidents — Plaintiff
- Paternity
- Premises Liability — Plaintiff
- Prenuptial Agreements
- Professional Responsibility
- Property Damage — Plaintiff
- Qui Tam
- Race Discrimination
- Railroad Accidents — Plaintiff
- Religious Discrimination
- Sex Discrimination
- Sexual Harassment
- Sexual Harassment — Employee
- Slip and Fall — Plaintiff
- State & Municipal Employees
- Traffic Violations
- Wage & Hour Laws — Employee
- Wrongful Death — Plaintiff
- Wrongful Termination — Employee
Litigation Percentage
- 100% of Practice Devoted to Litigation
Bar Admissions
- Minnesota, 1963
- U.S. District Court District of Minnesota, 1966
- U.S. Supreme Court, 1971
Education
- William Mitchell College of Law, St Paul, Minnesota
- J.D.
- University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota
- B.A.
- Major: Psychology
Published Works
- Savchuk v. Rush Relating to Quasi-In-Rem Jurisdiction Obtained Through Garnishment of the Defendant’s Insured., Minnesota Trial Lawyer, December – January Vol. 4, No. 3, 1979
Classes & Seminars
- Milavetz v. U.S. – Implications for Practitioners, MCLE Webcast, 2010 to 2010
- Family Law Institute, Third Party Custody, Minnesota Bar, 2005 to 2005
- Guest Lecturer, Hamline Law School
- Guest Lecturer, William Mitchell Law School
- Speaker, First Amendment Rights
Representative Cases
- Oanes v. Allstae, 617 N.W.2d 401, 2000, Minn.
- Kayachith v. Athakhahn, 683 N.W.2d 325, 2004, Minn. App.
- In Re Carlson, 40 B.R.746, 1984, Bankruptcy
- Milavetz Injury Law, P.A., et. al. v. United States of America
Honors and Awards
- Top Personal Injury Recoveries Minn. Law & Politics
- Named as 2009 Attorney of the Year by Minnesota Lawyer
- Named as a Minnesota Superlawyer by his peers
Professional Associations and Memberships
- American Trial Lawyers Association
- Minnesota Bar Association, Member, Present
- American Bar Association, Member, Present
- Hennepin County Bar Association, Member, Present
- American Trial Lawyers Association, COX-2 Inhibitors, Section Member
- American Trial Lawyers Association, Defibrillator Section, Past Chairman
- Minnesota Trial Lawyers’ Association, Member, Present
Pro Bono Activities
- Director Minnesota Physician and Patient Alliance
- Guest Speaker, Chrysalis, 1999 to 2000
