Joel T. Wiegert

Joel Wiegert handles virtually all manner of first and third party commercial insurance coverage disputes. While a majority of his practice focuses on fidelity coverage such as commercial crime and financial institution bonds, his extensive experience ranges from general coverage issues—including those involving primary, umbrella, and excess coverage—to defending clients in complex coverage litigation. He also represents insurance agents and brokers, helping them navigate challenging liability claims and disputes.

In recent years as technology has continued develop at a rapid pace, Joel has expanded his practice to include advising on cyber insurance matters. Over the course of his career, he has also handled cases involving errors and omissions, directors and officers, bonds, surety, subrogation, reinsurance, environmental liability, commercial property, and general liability.

Before joining Hinshaw, Joel focused his practiced on insurance coverage and defense matters at a Minneapolis-based firm. An active member of several local and national bar associations, Joel also serves as the Associate Editor of The Fidelity Law Journal.

• American Bar Association
  • Tort and Insurance Practice Section
    • Fidelity & Surety Law Committee
• Hennepin County Bar Association
• Minnesota State Bar Association

• Professional
  • Selected by his peers for inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America© for Insurance Law, 2024 – 2025
  • Recognized on the Rising Stars list by Minnesota Super Lawyers magazine, 2004, 2008 – 2009, 2011 – 2015
• Academic
  • Drake University Law School
    • Morris A. Haft Award
    • Order of the Coif

Joel speaks extensively on coverage and liability issues confronting the insurance industry. Recent presentations include:

• Co-Presenter, "Contractual and Evidentiary Requirements to Demonstrate Coverage," 30th Annual Conference, Fidelity Law Association, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, September 25, 2024
• "The Claim Handler's Initial Analysis and Response to the Claim," 2019 ABA Fidelity & Surety Law Fall Conference, Boston, Massachusetts, November 7, 2019
• Panelist, "Framework of a Cyber Breach," MMA Cyber Seminar 2018, Minneapolis, Minnesota, October 25, 2018
• "Social Engineering Insuring Agreements: Development Limits and Exclusions," 2018 ABA Fidelity & Surety Law Midwinter Conference, Washington, D.C., January 26, 2018
• Co-Chair, ABA Fidelity & Surety Law Fall Meeting, November 10 – 11, 2016, Chicago, Illinois
• "The Ownership Condition in the Crime Policy," CE Presentation, Hartford, Connecticut, March 18, 2015

His additional presentations include:

• "The Economic Loss Doctrine," CLE Presentation, St. Paul, MN
• "Exhaustion of Coverage: Practical, Legal and Ethical Issues Arising in Claims Involving Multiple Insureds," Surety & Fidelity Claims Institute, Galloway, New Jersey
• "Claims Processing Guidelines for Insureds and Insurers," HB Fidelity Bond & Crime Coverage Conference, New York, New York

Joel writes extensively on a variety of insurance-related topics. He is a regular contributor to a number of publications authored by the Fidelity & Surety Law Committee of the American Bar Association's (ABA) Tort Trial & Insurance Practice Section (TIPS). His recent publications include:

• Chapter Author, "The Claim Handler's Initial Analysis and Response to the Claim," ABA TIPS Fidelity & Surety Law Committee's Handling Fidelity Bond Claims Third Edition, October 29, 2019
• Chapter Author, "Notice, Proof of Loss, and Legal Proceedings Against the Insurer—The Financial Institution Bond’s Procedural Conditions for Coverage," ABA TIPS Fidelity & Surety Law Committee's Financial Institution Bonds Fourth Edition, November 14, 2016
• "The Worthless-Collateral Rule," The Fidelity Law Journal, 2015
• Chapter Author, "Compensability of Third-Party Losses," ABA TIPS Fidelity & Surety Law Committee's Commercial Crime Insurance Coverage, December 19, 2014

In his spare time Joel enjoys doing anything outdoors. In the few times he is not watching his sons play baseball, you will find him hunting, fishing, boating, or more likely, doing yardwork.

• Eden Prairie Baseball Association, Coach