Overview

Alyssa Rebensdorf leverages her years of experience in the consumer packaged goods arena to help food industry clients solve litigation and regulatory challenges. A core member of the firm’s nationally recognized food litigation and regulatory practice, she provides strategic, client-centered counsel during post-recall litigation in state and federal courts nationwide and advises food industry clients on risk management and compliance to avoid litigation.

Food Company Litigation

Alyssa has represented food companies in product liability, consumer fraud/false advertising class actions and toxic torts. She focuses her practice on defending foodborne illness claims as well as guiding clients through other post-recall challenges, including root cause investigations, supply chain concerns, evidence preservation protocols, third-party claims for recall losses and claims resolutions strategy. With a facility in the world of science, she enjoys working with experts to translate complex medical and microbiological concepts and information for clients and fact finders alike.

As a former federal law clerk, she is comfortable in the courtroom and also has deep experience in alternative dispute resolution, having successfully mediated and settled hundreds of disputed matters.

Food Regulatory

Alyssa enjoys developing practical strategies to help clients comply with state and federal statutes, regulations and guidance documents, including those from FDA, USDA and OSHA. She has reviewed food and dietary supplements labels and websites for regulatory compliance, assessed product marketing claims, and counseled companies in best practices for avoiding FDA warning letters and consumer fraud actions.

Emerging Food Companies

Alyssa helps entrepreneurial natural and organic food companies sort through the many business issues faced by small and emerging companies, ranging from compliance with product labeling regulations to effective contracting with suppliers. She also drafts and reviews commercial agreements for the firm’s many food industry clients.

Credentials

Bar Admissions

Minnesota

Court Admissions

U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit
U.S. District Court for the District of Minnesota
U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois

Clerkships

U.S. District Court for the District of Minnesota, Hon. David S. Doty, 1999-2001

Languages

French

Education

University of Nebraska-Lincoln
B.A. in French and Political Science, with honors, Phi Beta Kappa

Duke University School of Law
J.D. with honors, Law & Contemporary Problems (articles editor)

University of Nebraska-Lincoln
M.A. in Anthropology

Insights & Events

Other Perspectives
  • A Little Knowledge Goes a Long Way: Prosecuting Food Companies and Their Officials for Food Safety Violations
    Author, Faegre Baker Daniels Update, October 2017
  • New Food Trends in a Complex Regulatory World
    Presenter, 2018 FMI Legal Conference, Washington, D.C., June 2018 
  • Business Case for Food Safety
    FaegreBD Iowa Food and Beverage Summit, Des Moines, October 2017
  • Business Case for Food Safety
    Products Liability Litigation in 2017, Minnesota CLE, Minneapolis, October 2017
  • Speed It Up: Emerging Issues in Food Delivery and Food Safety
    Presenter, 2017 FMI Legal Conference, Austin, Texas, April 2017  
  • From Peanuts to Prison: Criminal Liability for Food Contamination
    Moderator, 2016 Food & Agriculture National Conference, Faegre Baker Daniels, Indianapolis, May 2016
  • Food Recalls: Regulatory Requirements and Best Practices When a Suspected Outbreak Occurs
    Co-presenter, Food Litigation ExecuSummit, February 2016
  • A Year in Review for Food & Supplements
    Moderator, ABA Section of Litigation Food & Supplements Fifth Annual Workshop, June 2015

Leadership & Community

Pro Bono

  • Faegre Drinker — Pro Bono Honor Roll, 2022
  • Immigrant Law Center of Minnesota
  • Advocates for Human Rights

Professional Associations

  • Minnesota Women Lawyers
  • American Bar Association — Products Liability Committee and Food & Supplements Subcommittee

Civic Activities

  • West Summit Neighborhood Advisory Committee — Founding Member, 2004-07, 2016-present
  • Foundation for Essential Needs — Board of Directors, 2023-present

Honors

  • Minnesota Super Lawyers — Rising Star, 2006, 2008-09
  • Faegre Baker Daniels — Pro Bono Honor Roll, 2015
  • Minnesota State Bar Association — North Star Lawyer, 2015