Counsel

Minneapolis
500 Washington Avenue South
Suite 4000
Minneapolis MN 55415
TEL: (612) 336-9125
FAX: (612) 339-9100

acespedes@zellelaw.com

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Practice Areas

Bar and Court Admissions

State Court: Minnesota
U.S. District Court: District of Minnesota
U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals: Eighth Circuit

Education

University of Minnesota Law School, J.D., 2016
University of Minnesota Center for Bioethics, M.A., 2018
Hampshire College, B.A., 2010

Akira Céspedes Gilheany

Akira’s practice focuses on insurance coverage and defense, commercial and business litigation, and reinsurance disputes.

She represents global insurance companies in jurisdictions around the world, including the U.S., Latin America, and Europe, in property coverage, liability insurance, business interruption, claims handling, insurance bad faith allegations, statutory violation allegations, fraudulent claims, and other matters. From storm damage to cyber breaches to Covid-19 claims and litigation, Akira counsels clients from the moment a dispute arises until the matter is resolved, be it through mediation or by securing a favorable decision in court.

Prior to joining Zelle, Akira was a law clerk for the Honorable Patrick D. Robben, Hennepin County District Court. Before developing an interest for litigation, Akira worked in the healthcare industry, primarily working with over a dozen pharmaceutical and biotechnology corporations to conduct national and international clinical studies. She later became an educator and now continues advocating for community-building initiatives throughout the Twin Cities.

Akira is actively engaged in various community initiatives including:

Collective Power for Reproductive Justice, board member
Teach for America Alumni Group, Twin Cities and Greater Tulsa member
Feed My Starving Children, volunteer

languages

Spanish (Native Fluency)

English (Native Fluency)

Articles & Presentations

Profiled in Member Spotlight in the Summer 2024 issue of "With Equal Right", the official journal of Minnesota Women Lawyers (MWL)

Case Review: Property Insurance - Schnell v. State Farm Lloyds, 98 F.4th 150 (5th Cir. 2024), Insurance Litigation Reporter, May 20, 2024, author

Case Review: Property Insurance/Duty to Cooperate - Philadelphia Indemnity Insurance Co. v. BAS Holding Corp., 78 F.4th 53 (1st Cir. 2023), Insurance Litigation Reporter, November 10, 2023, author

"PFAS: What Liability Insurers Need to Know," Zelle webinar, October 4, 2022, presenter

"Recent Developments in Property Insurance Coverage Litigation," Tort Trial & Insurance Practice Law Journal, Spring 2020, co-author

"New Appraisal Rules for Puerto Rico Property Insurers ," Insurance Law360, February 7, 2019, author

Professional Affiliations

Twin Cities Diversity in Practice (Emerging Leader’s Group)
Minnesota Women Lawyers
Minnesota State Bar Association
American Bar Association
Federal Bar Association