Sybil L. Dunlop
Attorney
Overview
Sybil Dunlop is a lead trial attorney in Minneapolis, Minnesota who represents companies in high-stakes business disputes, commercial litigation, and intellectual property litigation. She has extensive first-chair trial and arbitration experience and a record of successful outcomes in complex commercial cases across jurisdictions nationwide.
Chambers USA describes Sybil as "brilliant, responsive" and "a go-to solution for complex disputes.” One client recently described her as “really smart and talented, and knows us well as a company.” Minnesota Lawyer has named her "Attorney of the Year" three times and, in 2026, named her to the Minnesota Legal 250, its premier recognition of the most influential attorneys in the state.
Business and Commercial Litigation
Sybil handles breach of contract claims, complex business torts, post-acquisition disputes, indemnification disputes, and construction disputes — the last grounded in her strength with contract-driven litigation. She has recently led several indemnification matters for large corporations. Companies also bring her in shortly before trial to serve as lead trial counsel, where she partners closely with existing teams and tries cases nationwide.
Intellectual Property Litigation
Sybil's intellectual property litigation practice complements her commercial work, and she is known for explaining technical concepts clearly to judges and juries. She led the first complete defense victory in a Covered Business Method (CBM) proceeding before the Patent Trial and Appeal Board (PTAB), and she has resolved copyright and trademark disputes for clients.
Speaking and Training
Sybil is a nationally recognized educator and public speaker. She speaks across the country on trial practice, depositions, the psychology of persuasion, elimination of bias, and legal writing. Her award-winning training programs have earned acclaim from Fortune 100 companies, government institutions, and law firms.
EDUCATION
- J.D., Vanderbilt University Law School, Order of the Coif; Senior Notes Editor, Vanderbilt Law Review
- B.A., Smith College
EXPERIENCE
- Law Clerk, U.S. District Court for the District of Minnesota, The Honorable James M. Rosenbaum
- EMILY’s List, Political Research Deputy
ADMISSIONS
- U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit
- U.S. District Court for the District of Minnesota
- State Bar of Minnesota
AFFILIATIONS
- Federal Bar Association
- Hennepin County Bar Association
- Minnesota State Bar Association
- Minnesota Women Lawyers
Sybil's Practice Areas
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Elections and Redistricting
Explore Practice AreaGreene Espel takes on attacks to voting rights and democratic institutions—and wins. We take on lawsuits to tackle voter suppression, election subversion, and districting issues.
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Commercial Litigation
Explore Practice AreaOur business litigation practice embraces the wide variety of commercial disputes facing private and public companies today. Areas of particular expertise include intellectual property, antitrust, securities, employment, professional liability, and construction disputes.
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Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
Explore Practice AreaOrganizations regularly call on Greene Espel to help comprehensively assess their workplaces’ Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) programs and craft strategic, legally compliant solutions to address their goals and objectives.
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Copyright Litigation
Explore Practice AreaGreene Espel is frequently called upon to protect copyright interests as well as defend against claims of copyright infringement.
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Patent Litigation
Explore Practice AreaFrom lead medical-device companies to major high-tech manufacturers, clients turn to Greene Espel to represent them in significant disputes involving patents and other intellectual property rights.
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Trademark Litigation
Explore Practice AreaFrom premier brand-owners to niche device manufacturers, clients seek Greene Espel’s counsel in complex disputes involving trademarks.
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Mediation
Explore Practice AreaThe Greene Espel mediation team leverages decades of high-stakes litigation experience to deliver efficient, practical dispute resolution—understanding what drives successful outcomes because we've fought these battles in court. As Minnesota Rule 114 Qualified Neutrals, we also meet the state's certification requirements for alternative dispute resolution.
Sybil's Recognition & Awards
- 2023 Attorney of the Year, Minnesota Lawyer
- 2021 Attorney of the Year, Minnesota Lawyer
- Listed in POWER 30: Business Litigation by Minnesota Lawyer (2021)
- 2020 Attorney of the Year, Minnesota Lawyer
- Selected to Super Lawyers list, Minnesota Super Lawyers (2022-2025)
- Listed in The Best Lawyers in America (2021-2025)
- Listed in Chambers USA, America's Leading Lawyers for Business-The Client's Guide (2020-2025)
- Hennepin County Bar Association Excellence Award for Advancing Diversity and Inclusion (2019)
- Selected to Rising Stars list, Minnesota Super Lawyers (2013-2019)
- 2018 Diversity & Inclusion Honoree, Minnesota Lawyer
- Recognized as Minnesota State Bar Association North Star Lawyer for pro bono service (2016)
- Recognized as Up and Coming Attorney, Minnesota Lawyer (2015)
- Vanderbilt University Law School
- 2L Mock Trial Champion and Top Litigator Award Recipient
- Best Brief Award 2006
- Scholastic Achievement Awards: Conflicts of Law, Professional Responsibility, and Legal Writing
- Smith College
- Andrew C. Slater Prize for Excellence in Debate
Sybil's Community Involvement
Sybil serves on the board of the Infinity Project and the board of the Smith Jewish Academy. Her leadership in advancing diversity and inclusion has been recognized by the Hennepin County Bar Association and Minnesota Lawyer.
Additional Community Involvement:
- Collaborative Community Law Initiative, Board Member (2017 - present)
- Infinity Project, Board Member (2012-2015)
- Smith College Alumni Association, Member