Molly R. Hamilton Cawley

Attorney

Minneapolis

612-387-2928

mhamilton@messerlikramer.com

Assistant: Bridget Killing Funches

612-672-3615

Profile

Molly Hamilton Cawley is an attorney in the Business Litigation group. She has been advising clients and litigating cases — representing both plaintiffs and defendants in state and federal courts — for nearly 20 years. She began her practice as a judicial law clerk for the Minnesota Court of Appeals, where she developed a strong interest in appellate work and honed her legal writing skills. Since clerking, Molly has been a business litigator whose practice is marked by a depth and breadth in many areas of the law, including contract matters, employment law, fraud and business torts, shareholder/partner/member disputes, and insurance law and ERISA. In addition, Molly has an active appellate practice, arguing in both state and federal appellate courts. Molly is known for her strategic and creative approach to litigation and appeals. 

She has been recognized as a “Rising Star” by Minnesota Super Lawyers and South Carolina Super Lawyers. In 2011, Molly was named an “Attorney of the Year” by Minnesota Lawyer for her work representing 136 plaintiffs in a fraudulent investment case that uncovered one of the largest Ponzi schemes in Minnesota history.

Molly has a multi-jurisdictional practice — she is licensed in South Carolina, Minnesota, Iowa and Wisconsin, and admitted in the following federal courts: District of South Carolina, District of Minnesota, Southern and Northern Districts of Iowa, Eastern and Western Districts of Wisconsin and District of Nebraska. Molly continues to practice in these jurisdictions and enjoys the opportunity to advise and co-counsel with attorneys in other states.

Publications & Presentations

Publications

  • Contributor, The ERISA Survey of Federal Circuits – 2016-2026 Editions

  • Co-Author, “Sex Appeal: Appellate Courts Take on Gender Discrimination under Title VII” – In-House Defense Quarterly, Spring 2015

  • Co-Author, “Ladies Who Launch: Reflections on Marketing” – The Woman Advocate, Vol, 19, No. 4, Summer 2014

  • Co-Author, “Co-Borrower or Guarantor? A Distinction with a Difference” – ICBM News, July 2014

  • Co-Author, “You Can Reduce Fraud in Any Business ‘Marriage'” – Upsize Magazine, August/September 2011

Presentations

  • Course Planner, Moderator & Presenter, “Avoiding Bad Business” – South Carolina CLE on Business Torts, February 2024

  • Course Planner & Presenter, “Business Torts Update” – South Carolina Tort Law Update, February 2020
  • Webinar Host, “Feds and Reds: Understanding and Using the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure with Wine Recommendations” – South Carolina Bar Association

  • Webinar Host, “Transgender Legal Issues in Employment and Education” – South Carolina Bar Association

  • Course Planner & Presenter, “Emerging Trends in Business Torts: The Good, the Bad and the Ugly” – South Carolina Business Torts CLE, October 2014

Professional & Community

Admissions

  • Minnesota
  • Iowa
  • South Carolina
  • Wisconsin
  • U.S. District Court, District of Iowa
  • U.S. District Court, District of Minnesota
  • U.S. District Court, District of Nebraska
  • U.S. District Court, District of South Carolina
  • U.S. District Court, District of Wisconsin
  • U.S. Court of Appeals, Fourth Circuit
  • U.S. Court of Appeals, Seventh Circuit
  • U.S. Court of Appeals, Eighth Circuit

Associations

  • Minnesota State Bar Association, Member
  • South Carolina State Bar Association, Member
  • Iowa State Bar Association, Member
  • Wisconsin State Bar Association, Member
  • South Carolina CLE Committee, Former President

Community Involvement

  • Ecusta Football Club Academy Soccer Coach
  • “Connestee Falls Kids Club,” Board Member