Joshua A. Newville

Partner | Civil Rights Attorney

Office: 612.349.2729
Fax: 612.235.3357
E-mail Blog
Legal Assistant: Sara Ion 612.349.2721

Joshua Newville is a civil trial and appellate attorney focusing on constitutional and employment law protections in state and federal courts. Newville is a passionate advocate, dedicated to representing individuals who were treated unfairly by governments and corporations.

Legal Experience & Recognition

Newville has won victories at the Minnesota Supreme Court, the United States Court of Appeals, and various state and federal trial courts. He led the successful fight for marriage equality in two states, secured protections for vulnerable Minnesota workers, and has emerged as a respected advocate in civil rights litigation. Newville is a frequent speaker at civil rights events, community forums, colleges, and law schools. He has taught numerous continuing legal education courses, has been published in legal publications, and often appears in the media.

For six consecutive years, Thompson Reuters has recognized Newville as a Super Lawyers Rising Star, a rare distinction awarded to attorneys under 40 based on a combination of peer nominations and objective criteria. In 2016, the Minnesota Lavender Bar Association awarded Newville The Equality and Justice Award. He was also one of 25 attorneys recognized nationally by The Advocate.

Newville serves on the Federal Practice Committee for the United States District Court for the District of Minnesota, a committee that works to improve the administration of justice in Minnesota’s federal courts. Newville also serves as an investigator on the Hennepin County (4th District) Ethics Committee, has served on the board of the Minnesota chapter of the National Employment Lawyers Association, and regularly volunteers as a judge for national and regional mock trial and moot court competitions.

Personal Background

The first person in his extended family to attend college, Newville was born and raised in rural Wisconsin and completed his undergraduate and law school educations at the University of Minnesota. Prior to law school, Newville owned an exterior residential painting business and worked for corporate retailers investigating asset loss resulting from fraud, theft, and organized crime.

An active member in the community, Newville has taught in various capacities, has served as a volunteer for Big Brothers/Big Sisters, and variously works with political campaigns and community organizations. In his spare time, he enjoys running, hiking, live music, baseball, and traveling.

Joshua Newville

Rated by Super Lawyers

loading …

Education

Juris Doctor (J.D.), 2012
University of Minnesota Law School, cum laude
—Lindquist & Vennum Merit Scholar
—Dean’s List of Academic Excellence

Bachelor of Arts (B.A.), 2009
University of Minnesota—Twin Cities
—Dean’s List of Academic Excellence
—National Honors Society

High School Diploma, 2003
New Richmond Senior High School
—Class and Student Body President
—Outstanding Athlete Scholastic Achievement Award

State & Court Admissions

Minnesota Supreme Court
Wisconsin Supreme Court
United States District Court – District of Minnesota
United States District Court – Western District of Wisconsin
United States District Court – Eastern District of Wisconsin
United States District Court – District of North Dakota
United States District Court – District of Colorado
United States Court of Appeals – Eighth Circuit

Professional Associations

Practice Areas

Employment Law
Civil Rights & Constitutional Law
Class Actions and Collective Actions
Business Litigation
Whistleblowers & False Claims Act (including qui tam actions)
Retaliation and Reprisal
Employee Wages (including Fair Labor Standards Act, overtime wages, minimum wage, unpaid wages, and employees improperly classified as independent contractors or exempt/salaried instead of non-exempt/hourly employees)
Discrimination in the workplace and by public and private entities (Race, Color, Creed, Sex/Gender, Age, Disability, Sexual Orientation, Gender Identity, National Origin and Citizenship, Familial and Martial Status, Religion, Veteran Status, Public Assistance Status, Genetic information, Retaliation)
Sexual Harassment and Hostile Work Environment
Employment Contracts; Executive Compensation and Severance; Non-Compete Agreements; Confidentiality Agreements; Restrictive Covenants
Police Misconduct (including excessive force, unlawful arrest, and unreasonable search and seizure)

Legal Education Courses Taught

E-Discovery for the Plaintiff’s Employment Lawyer, National Employment Lawyers Association: MN Chapter, November 2014
Civil Rights Litigation: Police Misconduct and Brutality, National Business Institute, January 2015
Honeymoon Litigation: Preparing for Constitutional Issues Post Marriage Equality, Minnesota Lavender Bar Association, January 2015
Police Liability, National Business Institute, June 2015
The Collateral Legal Consequences of Obergefell v. Hodges, Minnesota State Bar Association, August 2015
Top 7 Civil Litigation Mistakes, National Business Institute, September 2015
Employment Law Matters Involving Undocumented Workers, National Employment Lawyers Association: MN Chapter, December 2015
Police Liability, National Business Institute, April 2016

Speaking Events

The Supreme Court & Marriage Equality, The American Constitution Society, May 2015
Fighting for Civil Rights, The Black Hills Center for Equality, May 2015
Understanding The Supreme Court, Hudson High School, May 2015
What to Expect at the Supreme Court, MEUSA National Community Call, April 2015
Handling Large Scale Civil Rights Cases, University of Minnesota Law School, March 2015
What We Can Learn From Matthew Shepard, Dakotas’ Equality Summit, January 2015
Civil Rights: How Far Have We Come? An Update for MLK Jr. Day, Hennepin County Technical College, January 2015
The Supreme Court Grants Cert!, MEUSA National Community Call, January 2015
Marriage Equality in South Dakota, Sioux Falls Pride, June 2014
Marriage Equality in North Dakota, Fargo-Moorhead Pride, August 2014
Protecting Employee Rights in Private Schools, Argument of the Month Club – Men’s Forum for Catholic Apologetics, May 2014
The Road to Law School, University of St. Thomas, October 2012, October 2013, October 2014
Planning for Law School, University of Minnesota, February 2013, February 2015, April 2016

Publications

Marriage Equality LitigationThe Hennepin Lawyer, May 2015