George is a founding and managing partner of Flynn, Gaskins & Bennett, LLP, engaged in general trial and appellate practice for corporations and insurers specialized in the field of product liability. He represents nationally manufacturers of control and heating products including class action cases. George's local and regional practice involves representation of a variety of defendants on claims involving commercial disputes, contracts and product performance.

Tried in excess of 400 cases in 28 states to verdict. Argued appeals in 3 federal circuits and 7 state appellate courts.

Significant trials:

Balder v. Honeywell, State Court, Minnesota
Plaintiff suffered the loss of an eye and burns over 80% of his body while lighting a water heater. After sixteen weeks of trial, the jury returned a verdict against the co-defendants of $2,400,000 but found Honeywell not liable. (This was the only case in which a civil action for violation of the Consumer Product Safety Commission reporting rules was tried and sent to a jury.) Appealed to the Court of Appeals and Supreme Court of Minnesota where Honeywell’s verdict was affirmed.

Loomis v. Honeywell, Federal Court, Wisconsin
Plaintiff in this case was the subject of a “20/20” interview by Geraldo Rivera. After twelve days of trial, the jury found the Honeywell V8280 furnace valve was not defective and Honeywell was not liable.

Oakhurst v. Celotex, State Court, Minnesota
Nine month trial involving flammability of polyurethane and styrofoam building materials. Test case of product liability for fire spread.

Jendro v. Honeywell, State Court, Minnesota
Honeywell settled the underlying plaintiff case and tried a contribution case against the delivering gas company obtaining contribution. The verdict was sustained on appeal.

Feyers v. Honeywell, State Court, Michigan
Five family members were severely burned in an LP gas explosion. Case tried for over nine weeks in Michigan State Court with a verdict exonerating Honeywell and holding the delivering gas company liable for plaintiffs’ damages.

Parsons v. Honeywell, Federal Court, Rochester, New York
Gas explosion. The trial court granted summary judgment which the Second Circuit reversed. (929 F.2d 901 (1991)). The jury found some fault on Honeywell, but more against Parsons. The gas company settled prior to trial. Honeywell was entitled to a credit for that settlement. As a result, no monetary payment was made by Honeywell in this case.

Ruff v. Honeywell, State Court, Minnesota
Eight people were killed in a house fire allegedly because the Honeywell smoke detector was not operating. After a three week trial, the jury returned a verdict for Honeywell.

Mashburn v. Honeywell, State Court, Ft. Worth, Texas
A claim that a Honeywell V8280 valve on a furnace malfunctioned causing a house fire and severe injuries to a twelve year old girl. The jury found Honeywell not liable.

Sidebottom v. Honeywell, State Court, Redding, California
A Duracraft fan was claimed to have caused a house fire destroying plaintiffs’ property. After a three week trial, the jury found the fan was not defective and did not cause the fire.

Orth v. White-Rodgers, Federal Court, Kansas
Claim that gas valve caused explosion and burn injury. Verdict for plaintiff sustained on appeal to 10^th Circuit.

Van De Gejuchte v. Emerson, State Court, Illinois
Death case tried in State Court in Illinois with verdict for defendant.

Litzell v. Emerson, State Court, Wisconsin
Claim that electric meter caused shock and serious injury. Verdict for defendant.

Bitler v. Emerson, Federal Court, Colorado
Burn injury case tried for three weeks. Verdict for plaintiff.

Smith v Den-Tal-Ez, State Court, Minnesota
Plaintiff claimed a dental chair motor started a fire which destroyed an office building. Verdict for defendant.

Anderson v. Louisville Ladder, State Court, Wisconsin
Ladder injury. After two week trial verdict for defendant Louisville Ladder.

Smith v. Bordens, State Court, Minnesota
Claim that fumes from wrapping material caused lung injury. Verdict for defendant.

Jansa v. A.O. Smith, State Court, Iowa
Claim that infant scalded due to condition of hot water heater. Verdict for defendant.

Anderson v. Celotex, Federal Court, Missouri
Claim that building insulation was unreasonably flammable causing additional fire damage. After two week trial, directed verdict for defendant.

Akens v. A.O. Smith, Tallahassee, Florida
Claim water heater caused fire damage. Verdict for defendant.

Morton v. Celotex, State Court, Florida
Fire destroyed chicken processing plant. Verdict for plaintiff.

Khair v. SCI,
Claim of improper funeral arrangement. Verdict for plaintiff.

Appellate Work:

American Mutual Insurance Company v. Honeywell , 422 N.W.2d 274 (Minn.Ct.App. 1988)

Anderson v. Honeywell , 123 Wis.2d 545, 368 N.W.2d 847, 1985 WL 18057 (Wis.App.)

Avery v. MAPCO , 848 F.Supp. 1388 (N.D.Ind. 1991)

Avery v. MAPCO , 18 F.3d 448 (7thCir. 1994)

Balder v. Haley , 390 N.W.2d 855 (Minn.Ct.App. 1986)

Balder v. Haley , 399 N.W.2d 77) (Minn. 1987)

Berthiaume v. Honeywell , 1992 WL 77535 (Minn.Ct.App. 1992)

Copley v. Heil-Quaker , 818 F.2d 866 (6thCir. 1987)

DeHaven v. Getty Refining , 150 Wis.2d 946, 444 N.W.2d 65, 1989 WL 80340 (Wis.App. 1989)

Drake v. Lochinvar , 618 F.Supp. 549 (D.Minn. 1985)

Drake v. Honeywell , 797 F.2d 603 (8thCir. 1986)

Gregory v. Honeywell , 835 F.2d 181 (8thCir. 1987)

Honeywell v. Consumer Product Safety Commission , 566 F.Supp. 500 (D.Minn. 1983)

Jendro v. Honeywell , 392 N.W.2d 688 (Minn.Ct.App. 1986)

Krull v. Thermogas , 522 N.W.2d 607 (Iowa 1994)

Mowen v. Illinois Valley , 257 Ill.App.3d 712, 629 N.E.2d176, 195 Ill.Dec.868 (1994)

Orth v. Emerson Electric , 1991 WL 46659 (D.Kan. 1991)

Orth v. Emerson Electric , 1991 WL 172918 (D.Kan. 1991)

Orth v. Emerson Electric , 980 F.2d 632 (10thCir. 1992)

Parsons v. Honeywell , 929 F.2d 901 (2dCir. 1991)

Patton v. Yarrington , 472 N.W.2d 157 (Minn.Ct.App. 1991)

Peile v. Skelgas , 163 Ill.2d 323, 645 N.E.2d 184 (1994)

Reimers v. Honeywell , 457 N.W.2d 336 (Iowa 1990)

Smith v. Den-Tal-Ez , 491 N.W.2d 11 (Minn. 1992)

Troy v. Kampgrounds of America , 399 Pa.Super. 41, 581 A.2d 665 (1990)

Witherbee v. Honeywell , 151 F.R.D. 27 (N.D.NY 1993)

Articles and Presentations:

Co-author with John J. Laravuso, “The Existence of a Duty to Warn: A Question for the Court or the Jury,” 27 Wm. Mitchell L. Rev. 633 (2000).

Instructor Appellate Advocacy, U of M Law School

Fellow, American College of Trial Lawyers since 1987
Fellow, American Bar Foundation
Listed Best Lawyers in America, 1993 - Present
Listed Best Lawyers in Minnesota, 1995 - Present
Listed 100 Best Lawyers in Minnesota, 2002 - Present
Member Lawyers Board of Professional Responsibility, 1987 - 1989
State Chair American College of Trial Lawyers, 1999 - 2000

Hennepin County, Minnesota State and American Bar Associations

Minnesota
U.S. District Court, District of Minnesota
U.S. Court of Appeals, Second, Seventh, Eighth and Tenth Circuits