Kenneth W. Pearson
612.343.3285 Email VCard Secretary – Cyndee Krenos
BACKGROUND
 
Ken Pearson joined Blackwell Burke P.A. as special counsel in November 2011. Previously, Mr. Pearson defended commercial product
liability cases and handled other complex litigation as a partner in a Minneapolis firm. He also served as counsel to a litigation
boutique with a nationwide practice in complex automotive products liability defense. Mr. Pearson has extensive experience defending
products liability cases in both state and federal courts across the country. He is admitted to practice in the Minnesota state and federal
district courts, and has made numerous appearances in other states under clients’ regional and national litigation programs.
 
EDUCATION
 
• Harvard Law School (J.D., 1984)
• University of Minnesota (B.S., Economics, 1980), magna cum laude; President, University of Minnesota Economics Society
 
REPRESENTATIVE CASES
 

• Martin v. General Motors Corporation (Illinois state court): Defended General Motors Corporation in single-vehicle accident case where plaintiff with spinal cord injury claimed vehicle’s airbags were defective because they did not deploy when vehicle overturned. Motion for summary judgment filed based on plaintiff’s failure to provide adequate expert support for theory of defect. Plaintiff voluntarily dismissed

all claims before motion was heard, and did not re-file within time permitted under Illinois law.

 

• Schick Tube-Veyor Corp. v. Whirl-Air-Flow Corp. (Western District of Missouri): Defended Whirl-Air-Flow in commercial product liability

action here plaintiff alleged that dense-phase pneumatic conveyor system purchased from Whirl-Air-Flow was defective. Whirl-Air-Flow

prevailed on ll claims at day-long non-binding arbitration, demonstrating through expert testimony that plaintiff had failed to follow

specifications for conveyor system installation, and that improper installation was cause of plaintiff’s alleged difficulties with conveyor

system. Plaintiff then voluntarily dismissed all claims.

 

• Archer v. General Motors Corporation (Ohio state court): Defended General Motors Corporation against claim that defective brake

transmission safety interlock caused van to roll over plaintiff, who was working beneath the vehicle. Motion for summary judgment

granted as to all claims, based on plaintiff’s voluntary assumption of risk.