Page 15 - Minnesota Vol 8 No 2

Who decides? Who bene ts? Who pays? — just compromise and good public policy were sure to be the result. I continue to believe this is sage wisdom for our current political troubles, particularly as an an- tidote for curing the arti cial divisions brought about by those who seek to divide Americans instead of uniting us as the one people we actually are.”
Hill went on to Georgetown University, where he earned both his J.D. and M.S.F.S. in international nance. ere, he was mentored by yet another professor who would challenge business as usual in Washington D.C., Madeleine Albright. “ e most important thing she taught her students was to check your ego at the door. If you don’t, you’ll never be able to solve a problem. I think that became her most important ingredient in diplomacy. Never show disrespect. e mo- ment you let your ego get in the way of your ability to manage your opponents, you’ve lost.”
“Nobody at the time would have said she’d get a job at the State De- partment, much less become Secretary of State. But she continued to solve problems and demonstrate her ability to play as a teammate. No- body then knew what her contribution could be. But now everyone knows Secretary Albright as a shining example of what happens when a person lives passionately and enthusiastically, and always maintains personal and professional integrity in the heat of the political moment. Good things happen because you make them happen.”
While attending Georgetown, Hill also had the privilege of mak- ing regular visits to the U.S. Supreme Court to observe the justices presiding over oral arguments. He recalled a particular anecdote that remains vivid in his memory: “It was funny, because the justices would sit pretty much as they are viewed — with urgood Marshall over on the le , and Antonin Scalia on the right. So, one day, Scalia was just torching this lawyer, peppering him with sarcastic questions and expressing his personal dismay at the ‘lack of coherent argument’ asso- ciated with the lawyer’s case. We were all watching and feeling for the guy, when we hear a thump from the other side of the Supreme Court bench. Justice Marshall had fallen asleep on the bench, and a clerk pulled him back up by the back the neck. I learned they’re just simple humans like the rest of us.”
JUSTICE IN ACTION
When others have been unable or afraid to act, Hill has boldly taken on government entities which have assessed unreasonable, and some- times unlawful, taxes against businesses in numerous states, claiming victories for Fortune 500 companies, manufacturers, hotels, national retail chains, local mom and pop convenience stores, and even bowl- ing alleys. He has achieved decisive wins at the Minnesota Supreme Court for taxpayers, including McNeilus Truck & Manufacturing and the Southern Minnesota Beet Sugar Cooperative. He has also negotiated large settlements for such notable companies as Hormel, United Health Group, Medtronic, Gander Mountain, Coborns, CVS, Walmart, and Walgreens.
While the primary focus of his rm is property tax law, Hill says that his successes in the tax arena made it possible for him to pick up the banner on public interest cases close to his heart. He has brought un- expected victories for his clients in matters from sexual discrimination and EEO retaliation to government whistleblower and anti-SLAPP protections. Outspoken, a maverick, a crusader, Hill has made it his life’s work to cause justice.
“A er 33 years, all I know is it’s been one hell of a journey, but at the end of the day, I’m always proud of the fact that I haven’t wavered one jot from the attitude I adopted while in law school: at ‘Equal Justice Under Law’ rings hollow unless an advocate makes these four words real in people’s lives. I always saw myself as just such an advo- cate, which is why it never gets old to ght for underdogs no matter what the odds. It’s the very lifeblood of the law.”
At a Glance
Robert Hill Law Ltd.
1161 Wayzata Boulevard East, #399 Wayzata, MN 55391
(952) 426-7373
roberthilllaw.com
Practice Areas
Property Tax
Public Interest
Education
Master of Science in Financial
Services, Georgetown University,
1990
Juris Doctor, Georgetown University
Law Center 1986
Bachelor of Arts in Political Science,
University of Minnesota, 1982
Honors
AV Preeminent 5.0 out of 5
Select Clients
McNeilus Truck & Manufacturing Southern Minnesota Beet Sugar
Cooperative Hormel
United Health Group Medtronic
Gander Mountain Coborns
CVS Walmart
Walgreens
Public Interest Cases
Nielsen v. Bohnen, a case involving anti-SLAPP protections.
Jane Turner v. Alberto Gonzales, a case involving EEO retaliation.
Sletten v. Ramsey County, a case involving mold contamination.
Programmed Land v. O’Connor, a case about illegal property taxation.
Lindgren v. MCTO, involving a government whistleblower.
Greiner v. City of Champlin, a police brutality case