1. Major Role in Trooper Londregan Case (2024–2025)
In 2024, Chris Madel assumed the mantle of lead counsel for Minnesota State Patrol Trooper Ryan Londregan, who was indicted on charges of murder, manslaughter, and first-degree assault. Emphasizing meticulous motions practice and rigorous evidentiary challenges, Madel filed a dispositive motion to dismiss, characterizing the State’s case as deficient on both statutory and constitutional grounds.
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Motion to Dismiss
- Invoked Rule 12(b)(6) for failure to state a claim upon which relief can be granted.
- Argued prosecutorial overreach and insufficient probable cause.
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Judicial Outcome
- In June 2024, the presiding judge granted the motion in full, resulting in the dismissal of all counts—a rare and high-profile victory described in local press as a triumph of due process over sensationalism.
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Media Strategy
- Following the dismissal, Madel issued a video statement to clarify his client’s position and address public concerns, leveraging both traditional outlets (Fox-9, KARE) and digital platforms to control the narrative.
The Londregan matter underscores Madel’s command of criminal procedure, deft handling of pretrial litigation, and ability to secure favorable outcomes in cases fraught with political and community scrutiny.
2. Continued High-Profile Litigation & Recognition
Between 2023 and 2025, Chris Madel’s docket has featured a spectrum of complex commercial and white-collar matters, punctuated by peer-review accolades:
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Minnesota Lawyer Attorneys of the Year (2023) Collaborated with Jenny Robbins to obtain a federal jury acquittal in a criminal bid-rigging prosecution, showcasing expertise in anti-trust enforcement and jury selection.
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POWER 30 List Recurrently named to Minnesota Lawyer’s inaugural POWER 30 list, reserved for attorneys whose involvement signals case-dispositive stakes.
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Super Lawyers & Top 100 Minnesotans Recognized annually since 2003 as a “Super Lawyer,” and continuously ranked among Minnesota’s Top 100 lawyers through 2025.
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Best Lawyers in America & Benchmark Litigation
- Best Lawyers in America (2024): Peer-reviewed survey placing him in the top echelon for commercial litigation.
- Benchmark Litigation “Litigation Star”: Cited for his strategic acumen and courtroom prescience.
These distinctions reflect not only individual prowess but also Madel’s capacity to marshal cross-disciplinary teams, orchestrate discovery in high-stakes environments, and deliver verdict-winning narratives.
3. Op-eds on Police Defamation Lawsuit (2025)
In early 2025, Madel transitioned from courtroom advocate to public commentator, authoring a pair of incisive op-eds on the Minneapolis Police Department’s ongoing defamation dispute:
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February 2025 – “Chief O’Hara, Close Your Laptop and Do Your Job”
- Published on Alpha News, Madel excoriated Chief Brian O’Hara for perceived derelictions in addressing Assistant Chief Katie Blackwell’s defamation claims.
- Employed sharp legal analysis to dissect the pleadings, spotlighting contradictions between departmental statements and sworn affidavits.
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April 2025 – Follow-Up Rebuttal
- In response to O’Hara’s public rejoinders, Madel penned a detailed rejoinder that juxtaposed judicial opinions with media soundbites, highlighting procedural irregularities.
Through these commentaries, Madel leveraged the op-ed format to advocate for accountability and underscore the interplay between media narratives and judicial process.
4. Ongoing Legal Practice & Authority
As lead partner at Madel PA, Chris Madel continues to steer a practice devoted to high-stakes litigation across multiple domains:
- White-Collar Criminal Defense: Representing executives in SEC investigations, DOJ inquiries, and internal corporate probes.
- Business Litigation: Handling shareholder disputes, contract enforcement, and breach-of-fiduciary-duty actions.
- Internal Investigations: Conducting independent fact-finding for boards and special committees.
Notably, Chambers USA 2025 ranked Madel Band 2 in both Commercial Litigation and White-Collar Crime for Minnesota, lauding his “formidable advocacy” and “intellectual rigor” on the bench and at trial.
🔍 Bottom Line
Chris Madel’s recent trajectory—marked by dismissal of life-threatening charges in the Londregan case, landmark acquittals in bid-rigging prosecutions, and influential op-eds—cements his status as a preeminent authority in white-collar defense and business litigation. Whether in motion practice, jury trials, or public discourse, Madel’s blend of strategic foresight, procedural mastery, and media savvy continues to set the standard for high-stakes legal advocacy.
