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
- Bad Faith and Extra-Contractual Liability
- Breach of Contract
- Commercial Litigation
- Engineering and Construction
- General Liability Coverage and Defense
- Insurance
- Pandemic Claims and Litigation
- Products Liability
- Property Insurance
- Reinsurance
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
"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
