Similar personal injury attorneys in Minneapolis
Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome. Each case is unique and depends on its own facts.
About Peter Riley
Since 1977, Peter has dedicated himself exclusively to representing persons who have suffered serious injury or the death of family member. When he began practice in 1977, the first case which he worked on was representing families of two of the men who died in the sinking of the ore freighter Edmund Fitzgerald. Inspired by the success of that case, he has gone on to obtain many substantial settlements and verdicts. He recovered over $1,000,000 for a young woman struck and severely injured by an uninsured motorist, over $225,000 for a young man whose hand was injured by a farm auger, as well as over $11,000,000 for a young woman severely injured in a car crash.
He recovered a verdict of $450,000 for a victim of medical malpractice, and over $1,000,000 for the family of a man killed in a boat collision, as well as over $1,100,000 for the family of a construction worker killed in a building collapse. More recently he recovered over $8,000,000 for a family injured in a collision in a highway construction zone. Peter has been widely recognized for his abilities and skills as a trial lawyer. He has been awarded the “AV” rating by the nationally recognized Martindale - Hubbell Law Directory - this is the highest rating achievable for legal ability and for faithful adherence to ethical standards, professional reliability, and diligence.
He has also been named a Leading Minnesota Attorney and “Super Lawyer” in handling personal injury claims. In 2017, Peter received the award for personal injury attorney of the year by Best Lawyers in America©. In addition, he is a member of the American Board of Trial Advocates (ABOTA), an invitation-only organization of skilled and experienced trial lawyers. Elected as the 2026 Secretary, he will serve on the Executive Committee continuing a long record of leadership that includes terms as President of the Minnesota Chapter in 2007 and President of the ABOTA Foundation in 2020.
He has been elected a Trustee of the ABOTA Foundation, named to its National Executive Committee, and awarded the Masters in Trial Award. Peter has since been elected Vice-President of the foundation and in 2020 will be serving as President. Peter is listed in the book “Best Lawyers in America” by Woodward/White in the area of Personal Injury practice, and was named an Attorney of the Year in 2004 by the Minnesota Lawyer newspaper. He has been a member of the Minnesota Association for Justice since 1977 and served as its president in 2004.
“The individuals and families I represent are facing difficult challenges in recovering from their injuries or the loss of a loved one. In addition, the insurance companies and corporations responsible for compensating the injury victims I represent are powerful and represented by skilled lawyers. It is an honor to be asked to represent individuals and family members and to level the playing field so that my clients are fully and fairly compensated for their losses.”
Proven verdicts and settlements at Schwebel, Goetz & Sieben, P.A.
These results are credited to Schwebel, Goetz & Sieben, P.A.. A result appears under an attorney's own name only when a published source names them as counsel on the case.
James Schwebel represented 34 victims in a three-year lawsuit against engineering firm URS Corp, whose negligent inspection of the Minneapolis I-35W bridge preceded its August 2007 collapse, killing 13 people and injuring 145 others.
A six-week Anoka County trial ended with a $24 million jury verdict against BNSF Railway after four young people died at a malfunctioning Ferry Street grade crossing in September 2003.
Following a $24 million wrongful-death jury verdict, Anoka County District Court Judge Ellen Maas imposed more than $4.2 million in additional sanctions against BNSF Railway for destroying evidence, fabricating records, and obstructing the investigation of a crash that killed four young people.
A Hennepin County jury awarded $5.33 million after a Metro Transit bus driver closed the doors and pulled away while Christopher Swickard was approaching, causing the rear wheels to run over him and require amputation of his left leg below the knee.
After Galaxy Airlines Flight 203 crashed on takeoff from Reno killing 70 of 71 aboard in January 1985, James Schwebel of Schwebel, Goetz, Sieben and Hanson served as counsel to the court-appointed Plaintiffs' Liability Committee, which coordinated liability discovery on behalf of all plaintiffs and was entitled to a percentage of each individual settlement.
Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome. Each case is unique and depends on its own facts.
Practice areas
Education
Other attorneys at Schwebel, Goetz & Sieben, P.A.
View firm →
Proven verdicts and settlements from other Minneapolis firms
Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome. Each case is unique and depends on its own facts.