Storms Dworak LLC

04/13/2026

The new firm mural is 🔥 🔥 🔥 !!! Awesome work by Dan Espeseth. We could not recommend his services more strongly. Very talented and great guy to work with. Visit his site at: https://danespeseth.com/

04/02/2026

In January 2025, Paul Dworak and Storms Dworak teamed up with Dillon White and Messerli Kramer in the Depo-Provera litigation—an injectable birth control that has been linked by the FDA to meningioma brain tumors. Although often classified as benign, these tumors can cause devastating harm—frequently requiring brain surgery and resulting in lasting complications such as chronic migraines, memory loss, blindness, seizures, and, in some cases, death.

From the outset, our firms committed the time and resources necessary to pursue justice and accountability for these brave women. For us, that means meeting with clients, filing lawsuits on their behalf, and actively litigating their claims so their stories are heard through the legal process.

Last week, we filed our 100th federal lawsuit against Pfizer—and we are just getting started.

About the Depo-Provera Litigation:

The Depo-Provera litigation involves claims brought by women who allege they developed meningioma brain tumors after using the injectable contraceptive Depo-Provera. These lawsuits assert that Pfizer failed to adequately warn patients and healthcare providers about potential risks associated with long-term use of the drug. Pfizer has denied wrongdoing, and the claims remain contested.

In February 2025, the Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation centralized federal cases into MDL No. 3140 in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Florida before Judge M. Casey Rodgers. The MDL consolidates cases with common factual questions—such as causation, knowledge of risk, and adequacy of warnings—to streamline pretrial proceedings while allowing each plaintiff to maintain an individual claim.

As of December 2025, the FDA requires Pfizer to include warnings about meningiomas.

The litigation is ongoing, with courts overseeing coordinated discovery, motion practice, and other pretrial matters to evaluate the parties’ claims and defenses.

02/28/2026

Paul Dworak recently secured a $1.75 million settlement in a school s*x abuse case, delivering meaningful accountability and financial security for a survivor who deserved to be heard. At Storms Dworak, we are honored to stand with abused children and their families. These cases are about more than results—they are about courage, truth, and ensuring institutions protect the vulnerable. We are proud to fight for those who cannot fight alone.

02/28/2026

Following dual clerkships with the Minnesota Court of Appeals and a highly respected federal magistrate judge, Naomi Martin joined our firm three years ago. In that short time, she has been named a Rising Star, an Up and Coming Attorney, and an Attorney of the Year.

She has helped build a thriving employment practice where we litigate with the same intensity and precision we bring to our s*x abuse, medical malpractice, and civil rights cases. Either employers pay fair value, or it’s a fight.

In light of the results she has achieved for our clients — and her broader contributions to the firm — Storms Dworak is proud to announce Naomi’s promotion to Senior Associate.

02/28/2026

Timothy O'Connor brings 35 years of trial experience to the firm, including 50+ jury trials across Minnesota and Wisconsin. For decades, he represented insurers, corporations, and governmental entities in high-stakes civil litigation.

Now he brings that defense-side experience to advocate for the injured.

Having spent years inside the defense playbook, Tim understands how cases are evaluated, how risk is assessed, and how trial strategies are built. That perspective strengthens our firm's trial readiness and leverage from day one.

Learn more about Tim’s background here: https://www.stormsdworak.com/attorneys/tim-o-connor/

02/28/2026

We are happy to introduce our newest associate, Allison Andersen!

The bulk of Allison's practice is focused on plaintiffs-side employment litigation, representing employees who have experienced discrimination, retaliation, s*xual harassment, and other violations of workplace rights. She works closely with clients from investigation through litigation, helping develop thoughtful strategies and advocating for meaningful results.

Allison first joined the firm as a law clerk before transitioning to associate attorney. A graduate of the University of St. Thomas School of Law, she distinguished herself in advocacy competitions and policy-driven civil rights work. Her commitment to protecting the rights of Minnesotans strengthens our employment practice and our fight for justice!

You can learn more about Allison here: https://www.stormsdworak.com/attorneys/allison-andersen/

02/28/2026

Storms Dworak is proud to welcome James Lowe, M.D., J.D., as Of Counsel to the firm.

Jim brings a rare and formidable combination to our litigation team — years of experience as a practicing neurosurgeon and a summa cm laude legal education. When a witness is deposed in a medically complex case, precision matters. Having a former practicing neurosurgeon who is also a lawyer in the room changes the dynamic. We can dissect imaging, challenge clinical judgment in real time, and cut through evasive or imprecise testimony to get to the truth. Across all of our personal injury cases, Jim’s ability to quickly analyze complicated medical issues strengthens how we frame our clients’ injuries and suffering.

Jim enhances our ability to rigorously investigate, pressure-test, and prepare cases at the highest level before they ever reach a jury. We look forward to working with Jim as we continue expanding our thriving medical negligence practice.

You can learn more about Dr. Lowe here: https://www.stormsdworak.com/attorneys/james-lowe/

02/28/2026

Storms Dworak is proud to announce that three of its attorneys have been named Attorneys of the Year by Minnesota Lawyer. Paul Dworak and Naomi Martin received the honor for their work on a pregnancy discrimination case that resulted in a reversal by the Minnesota Court of Appeals after dismissal by the trial court. This marks the third time Paul Dworak has received this prestigious award. Ryan Vettleson was recognized for his work on a case involving the mistreatment of an incarcerated man with serious mental illness and medical needs. We are proud of their work and of our firm’s commitment to helping real people vindicate their rights at some of the most difficult moments of their lives.

06/03/2025

Great coverage of yesterday's victory at the Court of Appeals. “No mother should be forced out of her job in the eighth month of pregnancy merely because it’s convenient for an employer,” Dworak said. “Working mothers deserve to spend their child’s first months focused on bonding and caregiving, not job hunting. Minnesotans should expect more from their largest employers. Ms. Wakasugi looks forward to sharing her story and holding 3M accountable.” - Paul Dworak

Samantha Wakasugi was fired one month before giving birth to a baby girl; she alleges the company made that decision because it was convenient.

07/19/2024

Yesterday, Storms Dworak partner Ryan Vettleson filed an important civil rights lawsuit, alleging that correctional officers at the Dakota County Jail and its private medical staff from Advanced Correctional Healthcare, Inc., left a seriously ill inmate to nearly die while covered in his own blood, f***s, vomit, and urine for hours. You can view Ryan's interview in this matter at: https://www.kare11.com/article/news/investigations/kare-11-investigates-lawsuit-claims-medical-neglect-at-dakota-county-jail-caleb-duffy-diabetic-mental-illness/89-285f0115-abfe-425d-b44f-236e767c8ff6

05/05/2024

In addition to our high-profile civil rights and personal injury work, our firm also aggressively represents employees who are victims of unlawful workplace conduct. Naomi Martin took the lead in prosecuting whistleblower and related claims against Lake Superior Community College ("LSC") and Minnesota State Colleges and Universities. The case involved an administrator at LSC, who alleged he was terminated in retaliation for raising concerns about potential contamination from hexavalent chromium. Naomi recently secured a $400,000 settlement on the administrator's behalf to resolve these claims.