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Sam Diehl Recognized as 2017 Up & Coming Attorney

6/29/2017

MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. (June 29, 2017) — The law firm of Gray Plant Mooty is pleased to announce that GPM attorney Sam Diehl has been named a 2017 Up & Coming Attorney by Minnesota Lawyer. The annual listing honors attorneys who distinguish themselves in their first 10 years of practice. In addition, two Gray Plant Mooty staff were recognized as 2017 Unsung Legal Heroes.

Selection for the Up & Coming Attorney recognition is based on professional accomplishment, leadership service to the community and the profession. Minnesota Lawyer’s editorial staff selected the honorees based on nominations from law firms, legal associations, previous award recipients, and other members of the bar.

Minnesota Lawyer will publish a special section in mid-July with the complete list of 2017 “Up & Coming Attorneys” honorees, and will host a celebration for the honorees on September 7, 2017 at the Hyatt Regency in downtown Minneapolis.

As a principal and shareholder in Gray Plant Mooty’s Labor, Employment & Higher Education Practice Group, Diehl represents and advises employers in all areas of labor and employment law and litigation. Diehl regularly advises on all aspects of employment, from hiring to termination. He has significant experience litigating non-compete and trade secret cases as well as defending employers in discrimination, whistleblower, and other wrongful termination claims. 

Diehl has developed particular expertise representing religious organizations. He has successfully asserted First Amendment claims on behalf of churches against Minnesota cities that unlawfully refused to allow religious use at desirable properties. Most recently, Judge Donovan Frank awarded a church client of Diehl’s more than $1.35 million, plus attorneys’ fees, after a nine-day bench trial as a result of the city’s violation of the church’s First Amendment rights. In addition to his billable work, Diehl has performed more than 1,500 hours of pro bono work over his 10-year career at Gray Plant Mooty.

GPM also congratulates Jessica Heck, the firm’s meetings and events planner, and Emily Conde, the firm’s accounting supervisor, for their recognition as 2017 Unsung Legal Heroes. This award is reserved for the most talented and dedicated legal support professionals in the state of Minnesota, and honorees will also be celebrated at the reception on September 7.

About Gray Plant Mooty

Gray Plant Mooty is recognized as one of the leading corporate law firms in Minnesota and one of the top franchise firms in the world. Our roots go back to 1866. Today, we are a full-service firm with nearly 180 attorneys and offices in Minneapolis and St. Cloud, Minn., Fargo, N.D., and Washington, D.C. Our attorneys and staff provide exceptional client service and value to our clients, and directly or with our global affiliations, we provide comprehensive legal services on a regional, national and global basis. Learn more at www.gpmlaw.com.