Minneapolis welcomes a new litigator to Faegre Drinker's ranks.
New Hire Bolsters Faegre Drinker's Transatlantic Litigation Team
Published on 1st May, 2025
Faegre Drinker Biddle & Reath has added yet another formidable legal mind to its roster, with Berglind Halldórsdóttir Birkland taking up the role of litigation counsel at the Minneapolis office.
Birkland's impressive resume boasts over 15 years of experience in international disputes, making her a valuable asset to the transatlantic litigation growth strategy of the prestigious law firm.
Originally from Iceland, Birkland holds a Bachelor of Arts summa cum laude from the University of Minnesota and a Juris Doctor from the New York University School of Law.
Her expertise lies in high-stakes cross-border litigation and arbitration, particularly in industries such as mining, pharmaceuticals, telecommunications, and financial services. She has managed disputes worth billions of dollars and has led multidisciplinary teams throughout her career.
Recognized as a "Future Leader" in Who’s Who Legal: Arbitration (2024), Birkland brings crucial skills in witness preparation and advocacy to Faegre Drinker's team. Her capabilities in navigating complex technical facts and constructing compelling narratives are set to enhance the firm's performance in delivering stellar results for clients.
As an adjunct professor at the University of Minnesota Law School and the chair of the Minnesota State Bar Association’s International Business Law Section, Birkland's academic contributions and leadership roles further solidify the firm's commitment to integrating practical expertise and thought leadership in global disputes.
In a press release, Faegre Drinker lauded Birkland's "skills" in witness testimony and cross-examination preparation, which have "proven invaluable in high-pressure proceedings". The firm also noted the strength of her "clarity" in "written and oral advocacy".
The addition of Birkland to the firm's litigation team follows recent hires like Jeremy Andrews and Heather Burke, reinforcing Faegre Drinker's strategic focus on deepening its litigation bench.
Faegre Drinker's litigation head, William Connolly, expressed his excitement about Birkland joining the team: "Berglind's deep background in international disputes and her exceptional advocacy skills make her an invaluable addition to our litigation team. Her ability to navigate complex technical facts and construct compelling narratives will enhance our capabilities in delivering outstanding results for our clients. We are thrilled to welcome her to Faegre Drinker."
In terms of specific industries, Birkland's expertise spans the mining, pharmaceuticals, retail, telecommunications, and financial services sectors—areas where Faegre Drinker has been actively expanding its global presence.
- Berglind Halldórsdóttir Birkland, the new litigation counsel at Faegre Drinker Biddle & Reath, has a Juris Doctor from the New York University School of Law and a distinguished career in finance-related sectors such as financial services.
- In 2025, Faegre Drinker bolstered its finance team with the addition of Berglind Halldórsdóttir Birkland, a litigator recognized for her skills in managing high-stakes cross-border disputes in industries like banking and finance.
- With the recruitment of Berglind Halldórsdóttir Birkland, a renowned lawyer in finance-related litigation, Faegre Drinker is strengthening its position in the global financial services market.
- Faegre Drinker's strategic hiring of Berglind Halldórsdóttir Birkland, an experienced lawyer in the finance sector, highlights the firm's dedication to offering exceptional legal services to businesses in the banking and finance industries.
