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Bard D. Borkon

Bowman and Brooke LLP

Managing PartnerMinneapolis, MN
Product LiabilityMinneapolis, MN

Recognized for

Product Liability

The Elite Counsel Perspective

In product liability, Bard’s first-chair advocacy is formidable: trials across eight states reflect deep command of automotive technology and injury mechanisms.

In product liability, Bard’s first-chair advocacy is formidable: trials across eight states reflect deep command of automotive technology and injury mechanisms.

— Elite Counsel
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Overview

Bard Borkon is a first-chair trial attorney whose product liability practice focuses on defending high-exposure catastrophic injury cases. His automotive litigation work includes trials for some of the world’s largest automobile manufacturers in Arizona, California, Colorado, Minnesota, Nevada, South Carolina, Texas and Wisconsin, as well as participation in trials in six other states. He has also argued before the Missouri Supreme Court on behalf of a major automobile client.

Bard serves as lead counsel for national automotive litigation programs and coordinates discovery. His matters involve allegations concerning negligence, rollovers, seat belts, airbags, unintended acceleration and electronic stability control, along with emerging technologies such as advanced driver assistance systems. The technical questions in many of these cases require close examination of injury mechanisms, accident reconstruction and statistical analysis. He has also represented automotive clients in class actions involving product-based allegations.

Beyond automotive litigation, Bard has defended corporate clients nationwide in personal injury cases involving computer keyboards, construction equipment, wood finishing materials, farm machinery, power tools and bicycles.

Education

  • University of Minnesota Law School, J.D., 1993
    cum laude

    Minnesota Law Review, Associate Managing Editor, 1992 - 1993

  • University of Michigan, B.A., 1990
    with distinction

Admissions

Bar Admissions

  • Minnesota, 1993
  • Nevada, 2005
  • Arizona, 2026

Court Admissions

  • U.S. Court of Appeals, Eighth Circuit
  • U.S. Court of Appeals, Eleventh Circuit
  • U.S. District Court, District of Minnesota
  • U.S. District Court, District of Nevada
  • U.S. District Court, Western District of Wisconsin
  • U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Wisconsin

Honors & Recognition

  • The Legal 500
    —Named in Litigation: Product Liability Defense, Automotive/Transport, 2015, 2020 – 2021, 2023 – 2024
  • Benchmark Litigation
    —Local Litigation Star, 2016, 2025
    —Future Star, 2019, 2025
  • Super Lawyers Magazine
    —Minnesota Rising Star, 2006 – 2007 
  • American College of Trial Lawyers
    —Fellow, 2026

Professional Associations

  • Leland-Johnson Common Vision Program
    — Pro-Bono Attorney
  • American Bar Association
  • Minnesota Bar Association
  • Hennepin County Bar Association

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