Dan Emerson//December 12, 2019//
After finishing law school, Carlson became the seventh lawyer to join a fledgling firm that would grow into one of the Twin Cities’ most successful: Merchant & Gould. Carlson eventually rose to become chairman of Merchant & Gould’s management committee, but after three decades with the firm, he was looking for new challenges. In 2003, he and three colleagues founded Minneapolis-based Carlson Caspers.
In considering the reasons for his successful legal career, Carlson cites “competitiveness and drive. In business there are a lot of smart people — everyone thinks they’re the smartest — but that’s not what sets us apart. It’s the willingness to work extra hours to figure out what is going to happen” in a case.
Over the years, Carlson has successfully litigated a number of major IP cases. In one, he represented Insignia Systems, a manufacturer of in-store signage and promotional materials, in a case involving a stolen customer list. By studying phone records and cross-examination, Carlson proved that the defendants were being untruthful about when and how they acquired Insignia’s proprietary list. In other memorable cases, he helped high-profile clients Calvin Klein and John Deere win major IP litigation.
What is something most people don’t know about you?
One of my uncles was Vince Bugliosi (a Hibbing native who was the prosecutor in the Manson Family case). He encouraged me to go to law school.
What is the best advice you’ve received?
“There is a very fine line between success and failure. That’s been my theme: to make sure I do what I need to do to get over that line.”
Which achievement are you most proud of?
I was the first IP lawyer from Minnesota inducted into the American College of Trial Lawyers.