John, a partner with Larson • King, focuses his practice on the construction industry, assisting a wide variety of clients with their legal needs, including contract drafting and negotiation, payment claims, delay claims, defective design litigation, as well as property damage and personal injury claims. His clients include contractors, subcontractors, designers, developers and suppliers. Prior to joining Larson • King, John spent 16 years in the construction industry, working for a general contractor in both the field and the office. John’s experience affords him the ability to understand his client’s business and quickly grasp the technical aspects of claims. This background, along with his legal experience, allows John to provide “real world” advice and practical, proactive steps to avoid claims or effectively manage them if they cannot be avoided.
John represents clients in both offensive and defensive claims in multiple forums, including state and federal court, arbitration and administrative hearings. He also serves as a mediator for construction disputes. Specific areas of litigation expertise include the following: payment disputes, including mechanic’s liens and bond claims; design defect claims; delay and cumulative impact claims; warranty claims; insurance coverage disputes; defense of wrongful death and catastrophic injury claims; and administrative board actions. John has been recognized on the Minnesota Super Lawyers list annually since 2014 and he was included on the Minnesota Rising Stars lists from 2004-2011.
Law School
William Mitchell College of Law, J.D., (2001)
College
University of Minnesota, B.A., (1996)
Member
American Bar Association – Construction Law Forum
Minnesota State Bar Association – Construction Law Section
Minnesota Defense Lawyers Association – Construction Section Co-Chair
Ramsey County Bar Association
DRI Construction Practice Group
Construction Financial Management Association
Minnesota Construction Association
Admitted
Minnesota, North Dakota, U.S. District Court – Minnesota, U. S. Court of Appeals – 8th Circuit. Admitted pro-hac vice in Wisconsin and Colorado.
Awards
Named to Minnesota Super Lawyers 2014-2020; named to Minnesota Rising Stars 2004-2011
Seminars & Publications
Instructor: “Construction Law – Ultimate Bootcamp,” NBI, February 2018
Instructor: “Legal Issues,” MN-AGC Leadership Blueprint Series, 2017
Presenter: “Legal Issues for Civil Engineers,” Half Moon Seminars, August 2014
Co-Author: “What You Don’t Know Can Hurt You,” The Construction Lawyer, Winter 2010
Co-Author: “Lessons Learned: How 1997 Revisions to A201 Have Fared After 10 Years,” ABA Forum on the Construction Industry’s Joint Midwinter Meeting, January 2008
Reported Decisions
Eckert/Wordell Architects, Inc. v. FJM Properties of Willmar, LLC, 756 F.3d 1098 (8th Cir. 2014)
Minn. Pipe & Equip. Co. v. Ameron Int.’l Corp., 938 F.Supp. 2d 862 (Minn. D. Ct. 2013)
Slindee v. Fritch Invs., LLC, 760 N.W.2d 903 (Minn. Ct. App. 2009)
Lake Superior Ctr. Auth. V. Hammel, Green & Abrahamson, Inc., 715 N.W.2d 458 (Minn. Ct. App. 2006)
