Alert
Idea Exchange
Turning 125: Nelson Mullins Celebrating 125 Years of Legal Service in 2022
In January 1897, attorney P.H. Nelson left his position as solicitor of the Fifth Judicial Circuit to set up a private law practice in Columbia, S.C. The State newspaper contained a short but prescient news item on Jan. 26 about the endeavor, which noted that "the new firm should meet with great success."
And they were right. Today, Nelson Mullins Riley & Scarborough LLP offers legal services in 15 states and the District of Columbia from 31 offices with 930+ attorneys, policy advisors, and professionals. It is the 71st largest law firm in the nation based on 2021 gross revenues, according to The American Lawyer’s Am Law 100, a legal news organization that tracks law firm growth.
Throughout 2022, Nelson Mullins will be sharing seminal events from its history that highlight its growth from a one-man firm in 1897 to where we are today. Click here to learn more.
The LatestView All
December 8, 2022
Informa Connect will present its annual Cryptoassets Regulation & Compliance Conference, which will examine the regulation of crypto and blockchain, and explore how to leverage new technologies. During the conference, Nelson Mullins FinTech and Regulation Practice chair Richard Levin will moderate a panel on the future of stablecoins and Central Bank Digital Currencies (“CBDCs”).
The Future Use of Stablecoins and CBDCs
Alana K. Bassin
Partner
Suite 750
Minneapolis, MN 55416
Alana has represented Fortune 500 companies in products liability, commercial litigation, and general liability defense. She has defended individual and mass-tort actions across the country involving high-exposure catastrophic injury and wrongful death cases.
Alana has served as national counsel for a global medical device manufacturer. She also served as lead counsel in a mass tort involving...
Alana has represented Fortune 500 companies in products liability, commercial litigation, and general liability defense. She has defended individual and mass-tort actions across the country involving high-exposure catastrophic injury and wrongful death cases.
Alana has served as national counsel for a global medical device manufacturer. She also served as lead counsel in a mass tort involving an alleged contaminated product, representing the company amidst a recall, FDA raid, and unprecedented media campaign, and as counsel for a compounding pharmacy in high-profile litigation following a meningitis outbreak.
Alana has served as national counsel for a global energy powerhouse for whom she has first-chaired several trials, including a multimillion-dollar catastrophic injury gas explosion case in Texas. Likewise, she has tried numerous cases before juries and arbitrators around the country, including defending a chemical manufacturer in a wrongful death case before a jury in Texas and several commercial matters and wrongful death medical negligence cases.
Alana frequently speaks on the professional development of women in the legal community
an alleged contaminated product, representing the company amidst a recall, FDA raid, and unprecedented media campaign, and as counsel for a compounding pharmacy in high-profile litigation following a meningitis outbreak.
Alana has served as national counsel for a global energy powerhouse for whom she has first-chaired several trials, including a multimillion-dollar catastrophic injury gas explosion case in Texas. Likewise, she has tried numerous cases before juries and arbitrators around the country, including defending a chemical manufacturer in a wrongful death case before a jury in Texas and several commercial matters and wrongful death medical negligence cases.
Alana frequently speaks on the professional development of women in the legal community
Experience
Representative Matters
Trial and Arbitrations
- Four-week catastrophic injury trial with five plaintiffs involving electric shock and burn injuries to minor children, along with an alleged neurological disorder (2022)
- Complex, multimillion-dollar commercial arbitration involving alleged underpaid commissions related to foreign power-generation facilities (January 2019)
- Wrongful death trial to a field technician’s accident (May 2018)
- Product defect and breach of warranty arbitration related to the failure of gas turbine at a power plant (June 2017)
- Catastrophic injury trial involving a 2011 plant explosion (November 2014)
- Wrongful death arbitration related to a long-term care facility (August 2013)
- Wrongful death arbitration related to a long-term care facility (October 2010)
- Wrongful death trial involving claims of properly administered pest control service (March 2004)
- Non-binding summary jury trial related to allegations of product defect of a siding manufacturer held by a real judge in front of a real jury (March 2002)
- First-chaired commercial trial (December 2000)
- First-chaired bench trial (as plaintiff counsel) in commercial matter (March 2000)
- Second-chaired commercial matter at trial, settled before verdict (July 1998)
Other
- Served as lead counsel in medical device and pharmaceutical cases, including mass torts, related to IVC filters, spinal fusion products, spinal cord stimulators, ambulation devices, defibrillators, heart pumps, dialysis cases, hearing aids, skin and hair products, implantable catheters, and men's health implants
- Served as national product liability counsel for a global energy powerhouse
- Served as national counsel for a child sleeping product under CPSC recall and congressional investigation
- Nationally represented a Fortune 100 company for building products, climate control solutions, HVAC, and security systems
- Represented clients in numerous commercial and contract disputes
- Served as defense counsel for a large chemical, cleaner, and pesticide company on the national level
- Served as lead counsel for major long-term care providers and other medical care companies
- First-chair role in a multi-day mock trial included opening statement and multiple witnesses (including experts and plaintiff) in cigarette/smoking personal-injury claim (November 2019).
- First-chair role in a multi-day mock trial benzene/toxic tort claim, including opening statements, multiple witnesses (including experts and company witnesses), and closing arguments (March 2014).
Education
-
University of North Dakota School of Law,
JD,
with distinction
(1996)
- Regional Moot Court Competition
- Board of Editors, North Dakota Law Review
- Queen's University, BCom, with honors (1993)
- Queen's University, BA, Political Science (1993)
Admissions
- Minnesota
- North Dakota
- Montana
- U.S. District Court for the District of Minnesota
- U.S. District Court for the District of Colorado
- U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan
- U.S. District Court for the District of North Dakota
Clerkships
- Law Clerk, the Honorable William Neumann, Supreme Court of North Dakota
Practice Areas
Representative Matters
Trial and Arbitrations
- Four-week catastrophic injury trial with five plaintiffs involving electric shock and burn injuries to minor children, along with an alleged neurological disorder (2022)
- Complex, multimillion-dollar commercial arbitration involving alleged underpaid commissions related to foreign power-generation facilities (January 2019)
- Wrongful death trial to a field technician’s accident (May 2018)
- Product defect and breach of warranty arbitration related to the failure of gas turbine at a power plant (June 2017)
- Catastrophic injury trial involving a 2011 plant explosion (November 2014)
- Wrongful death arbitration related to a long-term care facility (August 2013)
- Wrongful death arbitration related to a long-term care facility (October 2010)
- Wrongful death trial involving claims of properly administered pest control service (March 2004)
- Non-binding summary jury trial related to allegations of product defect of a siding manufacturer held by a real judge in front of a real jury (March 2002)
- First-chaired commercial trial (December 2000)
- First-chaired bench trial (as plaintiff counsel) in commercial matter (March 2000)
- Second-chaired commercial matter at trial, settled before verdict (July 1998)
Other
- Served as lead counsel in medical device and pharmaceutical cases, including mass torts, related to IVC filters, spinal fusion products, spinal cord stimulators, ambulation devices, defibrillators, heart pumps, dialysis cases, hearing aids, skin and hair products, implantable catheters, and men's health implants
- Served as national product liability counsel for a global energy powerhouse
- Served as national counsel for a child sleeping product under CPSC recall and congressional investigation
- Nationally represented a Fortune 100 company for building products, climate control solutions, HVAC, and security systems
- Represented clients in numerous commercial and contract disputes
- Served as defense counsel for a large chemical, cleaner, and pesticide company on the national level
- Served as lead counsel for major long-term care providers and other medical care companies
- First-chair role in a multi-day mock trial included opening statement and multiple witnesses (including experts and plaintiff) in cigarette/smoking personal-injury claim (November 2019).
- First-chair role in a multi-day mock trial benzene/toxic tort claim, including opening statements, multiple witnesses (including experts and company witnesses), and closing arguments (March 2014).
Media
Recognitions
- Benchmark Litigation
- Local Litigation Star, General Commercial, Product Liability (2016, 2020–2023)
- Future Star (2014–2015, 2019)
- The Best Lawyers in America®, Litigation -- Labor and Employment (2023), Mass Tort Litigation/Class Actions -- Defense (2023), Product Liability Litigation -- Defense (2023)
- Minnesota Lawyer, Attorney of the Year (2015)
- Legal 500 United States, Litigation: Product Liability, Mass Tort and Class Action - Defense: Pharmaceuticals and Medical Devices (2014–2015, 2020–2022)
- Minnesota Monthly, Best Lawyers in Minnesota (2022)
- Twin Cities Business, Notable Women in Law (2020)
- Minneapolis/St. Paul Business Journal, 40 Under 40 (2010)
- Super Lawyers Magazine, Top Woman Attorney in Minnesota (2015, 2017)
- Minnesota Super Lawyers (2014–2020)
- Minnesota Super Lawyers Rising Star (2004–2010)
Professional Activities
- Leadership Counsel on Legal Diversity, Fellow (2011)
- Defense Research Institute
- ABA Litigation Section
- Trial Practice Subcommittee (2008–2011)
- Trial Practice Subcommittee Vice Chair (2011)
- Co-Chair of Program Development
- Women Advocate Subcommittee (2007–2008)
Community
- Women Winning, Board of Directors (2013–2018)
Alana has represented Fortune 500 companies in products liability, commercial litigation, and general liability defense. She has defended individual and mass-tort actions across the country involving high-exposure catastrophic injury and wrongful death cases.
Alana has served as national counsel for a global medical device manufacturer. She also served as lead counsel in a mass tort involving... an alleged contaminated product, representing the company amidst a recall, FDA raid, and unprecedented media campaign, and as counsel for a compounding pharmacy in high-profile litigation following a meningitis outbreak.
Alana has served as national counsel for a global energy powerhouse for whom she has first-chaired several trials, including a multimillion-dollar catastrophic injury gas explosion case in Texas. Likewise, she has tried numerous cases before juries and arbitrators around the country, including defending a chemical manufacturer in a wrongful death case before a jury in Texas and several commercial matters and wrongful death medical negligence cases.
Alana frequently speaks on the professional development of women in the legal community
Experience
Following is a selected sampling of matters and is provided for informational purposes only. Past success does not indicate the likelihood of success in any future matter.Representative Matters
Trial and Arbitrations
- Four-week catastrophic injury trial with five plaintiffs involving electric shock and burn injuries to minor children, along with an alleged neurological disorder (2022)
- Complex, multimillion-dollar commercial arbitration involving alleged underpaid commissions related to foreign power-generation facilities (January 2019)
- Wrongful death trial to a field technician’s accident (May 2018)
- Product defect and breach of warranty arbitration related to the failure of gas turbine at a power plant (June 2017)
- Catastrophic injury trial involving a 2011 plant explosion (November 2014)
- Wrongful death arbitration related to a long-term care facility (August 2013)
- Wrongful death arbitration related to a long-term care facility (October 2010)
- Wrongful death trial involving claims of properly administered pest control service (March 2004)
- Non-binding summary jury trial related to allegations of product defect of a siding manufacturer held by a real judge in front of a real jury (March 2002)
- First-chaired commercial trial (December 2000)
- First-chaired bench trial (as plaintiff counsel) in commercial matter (March 2000)
- Second-chaired commercial matter at trial, settled before verdict (July 1998)
Other
- Served as lead counsel in medical device and pharmaceutical cases, including mass torts, related to IVC filters, spinal fusion products, spinal cord stimulators, ambulation devices, defibrillators, heart pumps, dialysis cases, hearing aids, skin and hair products, implantable catheters, and men's health implants
- Served as national product liability counsel for a global energy powerhouse
- Served as national counsel for a child sleeping product under CPSC recall and congressional investigation
- Nationally represented a Fortune 100 company for building products, climate control solutions, HVAC, and security systems
- Represented clients in numerous commercial and contract disputes
- Served as defense counsel for a large chemical, cleaner, and pesticide company on the national level
- Served as lead counsel for major long-term care providers and other medical care companies
- First-chair role in a multi-day mock trial included opening statement and multiple witnesses (including experts and plaintiff) in cigarette/smoking personal-injury claim (November 2019).
- First-chair role in a multi-day mock trial benzene/toxic tort claim, including opening statements, multiple witnesses (including experts and company witnesses), and closing arguments (March 2014).
Education
-
University of North Dakota School of Law,
JD,
with distinction
(1996)
- Regional Moot Court Competition
- Board of Editors, North Dakota Law Review
- Queen's University, BCom, with honors (1993)
- Queen's University, BA, Political Science (1993)
Admissions
- Minnesota
- North Dakota
- Montana
- U.S. District Court for the District of Minnesota
- U.S. District Court for the District of Colorado
- U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan
- U.S. District Court for the District of North Dakota
Clerkships
- Law Clerk, The Honorable William Neumann, Supreme Court of North Dakota
Practice Areas
- Commercial Litigation & Business Torts
- Litigation
- Products Liability - Pharmaceuticals & Medical Devices
Industries
- Benchmark Litigation
- Local Litigation Star, General Commercial, Product Liability (2016, 2020–2023)
- Future Star (2014–2015, 2019)
- The Best Lawyers in America®, Litigation -- Labor and Employment (2023), Mass Tort Litigation/Class Actions -- Defense (2023), Product Liability Litigation -- Defense (2023)
- Minnesota Lawyer, Attorney of the Year (2015)
- Legal 500 United States, Litigation: Product Liability, Mass Tort and Class Action - Defense: Pharmaceuticals and Medical Devices (2014–2015, 2020–2022)
- Minnesota Monthly, Best Lawyers in Minnesota (2022)
- Twin Cities Business, Notable Women in Law (2020)
- Minneapolis/St. Paul Business Journal, 40 Under 40 (2010)
- Super Lawyers Magazine, Top Woman Attorney in Minnesota (2015, 2017)
- Minnesota Super Lawyers (2014–2020)
- Minnesota Super Lawyers Rising Star (2004–2010)
- Leadership Counsel on Legal Diversity, Fellow (2011)
- Defense Research Institute
- ABA Litigation Section
- Trial Practice Subcommittee (2008–2011)
- Trial Practice Subcommittee Vice Chair (2011)
- Co-Chair of Program Development
- Women Advocate Subcommittee (2007–2008)
- Women Winning, Board of Directors (2013–2018)
Highlights from the Firm’s Idea Exchange
