International law firm Dorsey & Whitney LLP announced today that Ben Kappelman, a lawyer in the Firm’s Intellectual Property Litigation Group in Minneapolis, has been elected to the board of directors of PAI, Inc. (formerly known as Phoenix Alternatives, Inc.).  PAI is a Minnesota-based, non-profit day training and habilitation program that empowers the individual choices of adults with disabilities to achieve meaningful participation in and connection to the community.  Since 1990, its partnerships with businesses, schools, and recreational resources have generated strong support and enhanced job opportunities for its clients.  Mr. Kappelman will serve a term of three years on the nine-member PAI board of directors.

Mr. Kappelman routinely serves clients in the health care, manufacturing, construction, and energy industries as well as Native American tribes.  Mr. Kappelman’s expertise includes patent infringement and invalidity claims, contract interpretation matters, trade secrets and employee competition disputes, and health litigation.  He routinely practices before federal and state courts in Minnesota and his home state of Montana.

Mr. Kappelman has a J.D. degree from Suffolk University Law School, and received the Law Faculty Outstanding Student Award, the Daniel J. Fern Award, and the Academic Leadership Scholarship. He was also an editor for the Suffolk University Law Review. He regularly performs 100+ hours of pro bono work yearly in the community. 

“I am deeply honored to serve on PAI’s board,” said Mr. Kappelman. “I’m excited to contribute to PAI’s important work empowering people with disabilities to participate in their communities and enabling employers to welcome all people to their workforces.”