Tara D. Sutton, a longtime Minneapolis attorney, trial lawyer and leader at Robins Kaplan, died on September 20, 2026, after a brief illness.
Her death was announced by Robins Kaplan, where Sutton spent her entire legal career. The firm remembered her as a partner, colleague, mentor and friend whose influence extended across major litigation, professional organizations and generations of younger lawyers.
Sutton’s death has prompted tributes from the legal community in Minnesota and beyond, particularly from colleagues who worked alongside her during a career spanning more than three decades.
Tara Sutton Died After Brief Illness
Robins Kaplan confirmed that Sutton died on September 20, 2026, following a brief illness.
The firm’s memorial did not publicly disclose her age or provide additional medical details about the illness.
Her death came after a long and distinguished legal career at Robins Kaplan, where she began as a summer associate and ultimately became one of the firm’s senior leaders.
A Career Spanning More Than Three Decades
Sutton spent her entire legal career with Robins Kaplan.
She became known nationally for her work as a plaintiffs’ trial lawyer, particularly in complex mass-tort, product-liability and public-health litigation.
Early in her career, Sutton was part of the Robins Kaplan team representing the State of Minnesota and Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota in major litigation against the tobacco industry.
That case culminated in a landmark settlement in 1998 and became an important early chapter in Sutton’s career as a trial lawyer.
Leadership in Mass Tort Litigation
In 2006, Sutton took on leadership of Robins Kaplan’s Mass Tort practice.
Over the years, she became involved in major litigation involving pharmaceutical products, medical devices, public health and consumer issues.
Among her later work was representation of the State of Minnesota in litigation against JUUL and Altria. That case resulted in a $60.5 million settlement, according to Robins Kaplan.
She also played a significant role in national opioid litigation involving Tribal Nations, working on cases seeking accountability and settlements for communities affected by the opioid crisis.
Most recently, Sutton had been reappointed to the Plaintiffs’ Executive Committee in the national Depo-Provera multidistrict litigation.
Tara Sutton’s Approach to the Law
Colleagues remembered Sutton not only for the size of the cases she handled but also for the people behind those cases.
Robins Kaplan described her as someone who believed that quality legal representation should not be reserved for powerful people or institutions.
That belief shaped her work with clients facing serious injuries, losses and other difficult circumstances.
She was known for extensive preparation, direct communication and a strong commitment to the people she represented.
Mentor and Leader at Robins Kaplan
Sutton’s influence extended beyond her courtroom work.
She served for a decade on the firm’s Executive Board and led the National Mass Tort Group. She also served as the firm’s Diversity Champion.
Her colleagues credited her with helping younger attorneys develop their careers, particularly women who were seeking opportunities to take on greater responsibility and leadership roles.
Sutton’s own career began at Robins Kaplan when she was given opportunities on major cases. She later worked to create similar opportunities for attorneys coming behind her.
Professional and Civic Contributions
Sutton’s work also extended beyond her law firm.
She was a longtime leader and former president of Public Justice, an organization focused on public-interest litigation.
In 2025, the University of Iowa College of Law honored her with its Alumni Achievement Award for her contributions to trial litigation and her commitment to justice, public health and advocacy.
She was also recognized by Super Lawyers, including being named among the Top 10 Minnesota Super Lawyers in 2025 and 2026 and among its Top 50 Women Super Lawyers on multiple occasions.
Tara Sutton Family and Loved Ones
Robins Kaplan’s memorial extended condolences to Sutton’s husband, Gary, and their children, as well as her wider family.
The firm also remembered the many friends, colleagues and clients whose lives she touched during her career.
Additional personal details about her family life have not been publicly provided in the firm’s memorial announcement.
Funeral and Memorial Arrangements
A public memorial listing at Lakewood Cemetery in Minneapolis includes Tara Sutton among upcoming services, with a scheduled service on Saturday, October 3, 2026, at 11 a.m.
Further family arrangements and details may be updated as relatives and organizations release additional information.
Remembering Tara Sutton
Tara Sutton leaves behind a professional legacy built around trial advocacy, public-health litigation, mentorship and leadership.
For more than 30 years, she remained at Robins Kaplan, progressing from summer associate to senior partner and firm leader.
Her work involved some of the most significant litigation of her generation, but colleagues have emphasized that her legacy cannot be measured only through settlements, verdicts or professional honors.
It is also reflected in the clients she represented, the attorneys she mentored and the colleagues who worked alongside her.
Tara Sutton Death and Obituary: Details at a Glance
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Full name | Tara D. Sutton |
| Profession | Attorney and trial lawyer |
| Location | Minneapolis, Minnesota |
| Law firm | Robins Kaplan |
| Career | More than three decades at Robins Kaplan |
| Date of death | September 20, 2026 |
| Age | Not publicly confirmed |
| Cause of death | Brief illness |
| Medical details | Not publicly disclosed |
| Spouse | Gary |
| Children | Yes; names not publicly provided in the memorial |
| Education | University of Iowa College of Law |
| Major practice areas | Mass tort, product liability and public-health litigation |
| Former leadership | National Mass Tort Group; Robins Kaplan Executive Board |
| Professional organization | Public Justice |
| 2025 honor | University of Iowa College of Law Alumni Achievement Award |
| Funeral/memorial | Lakewood Cemetery, Minneapolis |
| Scheduled memorial | October 3, 2026, at 11 a.m. |
A Lasting Minneapolis Legal Legacy
Sutton’s death marks the loss of a prominent figure in Minneapolis’ legal community and a longtime member of the Robins Kaplan organization.
Her career brought her into some of the country’s largest public-health and mass-tort cases, while her leadership helped shape the careers of attorneys who worked with her.
As colleagues, clients, friends and family remember her, Sutton’s legacy will continue through the people she represented and mentored throughout more than three decades in the legal profession.
Disclaimer
This article is based on publicly available memorial and professional information concerning Tara D. Sutton. Her death on September 20, 2026, following a brief illness, has been confirmed by Robins Kaplan. Her age and additional medical details have not been publicly confirmed in the information reviewed. Funeral and memorial information may be updated by the family or cemetery. Readers should rely on official family or funeral-home announcements for additional arrangements.