A practice focused on consumer claims
Peterson previously led the Minneapolis office of Hecht Partners LLP as a partner. Her work spans greenwashing, product liability and data privacy, areas she said fit Hagens Berman's record of "pursuing cutting-edge cases in these areas and not backing down against the biggest offenders."
A separate Minnesota Lawyer profile detailed several cases she handled in the preceding year. In a lawsuit alleging that a major toothpaste manufacturer had not disclosed heavy-metal risks in its products, Peterson led the briefing that overcame a motion to dismiss. She also obtained one of the first national classwide settlements in litigation over heavy metals in baby food.
Other recent filings targeted a leading berry producer over allegedly undisclosed PFAS-related compounds and a major manufacturer of outdoor apparel materials over its use of "forever chemicals."
Minnesota Lawyer named Peterson among its 2026 Top Women in Law. Her other honors include a place on The National Trial Lawyers Top 100 list, multiple selections as a Minnesota Super Lawyer and Minnesota Lawyer's Attorney of the Year recognition for representing U.S. farmers in major agricultural litigation.
Minnesota's consumer litigation docket
Peterson said she and Steve Berman, Hagens Berman's managing partner and co-founder, viewed the region as an "important battleground" for consumer protection. She pointed to federal litigation in Minnesota over firefighter turnout gear containing so-called "forever chemicals" and allegations of meat industry price fixing.
"Complex consumer rights litigation has only become more relevant and important," Peterson said. "I've been inspired to make real change in my community and even more broadly."
The firefighter gear cases became a federal multidistrict litigation proceeding, MDL 3191, on Aug. 18, 2026, according to The Legal Examiner. Assigned to U.S. District Judge Jeffrey M. Bryan in Minnesota, the proceeding includes only turnout gear cases that do not also allege exposure to firefighting foam. The state's selection as the venue reflected, in part, the location of 3M's headquarters.
The Legal Examiner also reported that 28 cities, counties, townships, fire districts and fire departments across more than a dozen states filed suit on Sept. 12, 2026, in the U.S. District Court for the District of Minnesota. Their claims against 3M, DuPont, Honeywell and Fire-Dex seek compensation for the costs of testing, removing and replacing PFAS-contaminated turnout gear.
The firm's history
The Bloomington opening gives Hagens Berman a Minnesota location among its 11 offices. The firm's consumer litigation history began in 1993, when Steve Berman and Carl Hagens founded it to take an E. coli outbreak case against Jack in the Box that their previous firm had declined, according to Wikipedia. The case ended in a $12 million settlement two years later.
Washington state's attorney general retained Hagens Berman in 1996 to sue tobacco companies. The firm eventually represented 13 of the 46 states participating in the litigation, which produced a $206 billion settlement in 1998, according to Wikipedia.
Beyond the briefs
Before law school, Peterson worked at a government relations firm, where exposure to legislative and regulatory work showed her how the law could serve the common good, including "the small guys" rather than only particular companies or individuals. She considered pursuing a Ph.D. to teach before choosing law.
Reading judicial opinions and writing briefs remain among the parts of litigation she enjoys most; she said the work keeps her mentally sharp. The harder side is losing a case she deeply believes in, particularly one involving policy after years of effort. "But that's part of being a litigator," she said.
Peterson said people meeting a lawyer sometimes expect someone difficult, unfriendly or confrontational. Away from work, her interests include caring for her three rescue dogs and fostering dogs at least twice a year. She walks around Lake Harriet with friends on Sundays and enjoys skiing.
A Minneapolis native who spent a decade in California, Peterson is reading Berman's newly published legal thriller, "Poison in the System." She also named Justice Alan Page as someone she admires for both his legal career and his community work. She previously served on the Page Education Foundation's board.
