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Michael D. Madigan

Michael D. Madigan

Attorney

Biography

Mike Madigan is a founding shareholder of Madigan, Dahl & Harlan, P.A., bringing more than 40 years of experience in administrative, alcohol beverage, antitrust, business, commercial, distributor, dealer, franchise, construction, employment, and environmental law. For over thirty-five (35) years, Mike has been AV-rated by Martindale Hubbell and recognized as a "Super Lawyer" for twenty-one (21) years. Mike has also been selected for inclusion in the Best Lawyers in America in the practice area of Franchise Law. For the last thirty (30) years, he has served as an Arbitrator and Mediator on the Complex Commercial Panel of the American Arbitration Association and served as a Neutral on the Minnesota ADR Neutrals Roster. In addition, Mike has been inducted as a Senior Fellow, Litigation Counsel of America (a trial lawyer honorary society composed of less than one-half of one percent of American lawyers).

Currently, Mike serves on the Board of Minnesota Trout Unlimited (as Chair); and the Wild Rivers Conservancy of the St. Croix and Namekagon. Throughout Mike’s career, he has earned many distinctions, awards and has been recognized for his commitment and leadership which is reflected in his many appointments and board service: appointed by Governor Dayton to the Metropolitan Airports Commission (2011-2019), appointed by the Washington County Commissioners to serve on the Board of Managers, South Washington Watershed District (2011 - 2016), served eight (8) years on the Woodbury City Council, three (3) years as Chair of the Woodbury Planning Commission, and eleven (11) years on the Board of Minnesota Center for Environmental Advocacy. He is a recipient of the Alumni Student Award of Merit and Editor of William Mitchell Law Review, and a former adjunct Professor at William Mitchell College of Law. Mike is also an instrument rated Private Pilot.

Rated By Super Lawyers | Michael D. Madigan | 2026
Recognized By Best Lawyers | 2026 | Michael D. Madigan
American Arbitration Association | International Centre for Dispute Resolution | Panel Member 2025

Practice Areas

  • Alcohol Beverage Law and Litigation
  • Alternative Dispute Resolution
  • Administrative Law Proceedings
  • Business/Civil/Commercial Law and Litigation
  • Construction Law and Litigation
  • Distribution and Franchise Law and Litigation
  • Environmental Litigation

Professional Associations

  • American Bar Association, Litigation Section, Member
  • Hennepin County Bar Association, Member
  • Minnesota Bar Association, Litigation, Member
  • Franchising and Environmental Law Sections
  • Complex Commercial Panel, American Arbitration Association, Arbitrator & Mediator, 1995 to Present
  • Minnesota Statewide ADR Neutrals Roster, 1995 to Present
  • Trial Law Institute, Member
  • Diversity Law Institute, Member
  • Order of Justitia, Barrister
  • Order of Certus, Advocate

Classes & Seminars

  • Numerous Franchise Seminars, National Beer Wholesalers Association and State Beer Wholesalers Associations
  • Numerous Alcohol Beverage Law Seminars, Center for Alcohol Policy, National Beer Wholesalers Association, and many State Beer Wholesalers Associations

Bar Admissions

  • Minnesota, 1981
  • Wisconsin, 1997
  • U.S. District Court District of Minnesota, 1981
  • U.S. Court of Appeals 1st Circuit, 2009
  • U.S. Court of Appeals 4th Circuit, 2008
  • U.S. Court of Appeals 6th Circuit, 2013
  • U.S. Court of Appeals 7th Circuit, 2011
  • U.S. Court of Appeals 8th Circuit, 1984
  • U.S. Court of Appeals 9th Circuit, 2008
  • U.S. Supreme Court, 2004
  • U.S. Court of Appeals 5th Circuit, 2018

Published Works

  • Michael D. Madigan, Control versus Competition: The Courts' Enigmatic Journey in the Obscure Borderland Between the Twenty-First Amendment and Commerce Clause, Mitchell Hamline L. Rev. Vol.44-S (Apr. 6, 2018)

Honors

  • AV rated lawyer by Martindale-Hubbell
  • "Super Lawyer" by Minnesota Law & Politics, Minneapolis St. Paul Magazine, and Twin Cities Business Monthly
  • Senior Fellow, Litigation Counsel of America, 2012 - Present
  • Selected for inclusion in the 20th Edition of the Best Lawyers in America, in the practice area of Franchise Law

Past Positions

  • Dunkley, Bennett, Christensen & Madigan, P.A., Shareholder, 2000 to 2004
  • Johnson & Madigan P.L.L.P, Partner, 1985 to 2000
  • Dunkley & Bennett, P.A., Associate, 1983 to 1985
  • William Mitchell College of Law, Adjunct Faculty Member, 1981 to 1984
  • Hadlick & Hoedeman, P.A., Associate, 1981 to 1983

Education

  • William Mitchell College of Law, St. Paul, Minnesota
    • J.D. - 1981
    • Honors: Alumni Student Award of Merit
    • Law Review, William Mitchell Law Review, Editor
  • Hampshire College, Amherst, Massachusetts
    • B.A. - 1976
    • Major: Political Science

Representative Cases

  • Tennessee Wine & Spirits Association vs Thomas, 2019, US Supreme Ct.
  • Granholm vs Heald, 544 U.S. 460, 489 (2005), US Supreme Ct.
  • Costco vs Hoen, 407 F. Supp. 2d 1247, 1256 (W.D. Wa. 2005), 9th Cir.
  • TFWS vs Franchot, 572 F.3d 186 (4th Cir. 2009), 4th Cir.
  • Blackstar Farms, LLC. v. Oliver, 600 F.3d 1225 (9th Cir. 2010), 9th Cir.
  • Family Winemakers of California vs. Jenkins, 592 F.3d 1 (1st Cir. 2010), 1st Cir.
  • Arneson Distributing vs Miller Brewing Company, 117 F.Supp.2d 905 (D. Minn. 2000), US Dist. Ct. MA
  • Crowley Beverage Co vs. Miller Brewing Company, 862 F.2d 688, 691 (8th Cir.1988), 8th Cir.
  • Southern Wine & Spirits of America. Inc. v. Missouri, 731F.3d 799 (8th Cir. 2013)