Overview
John provides sophisticated estate planning, business succession, and trust and probate administration solutions for business owners, farmers, ranchers, executives and professionals.
John uses his educational background, experiences working with families and work ethic learned on his family’s farm to assist clients with estate planning, business succession, and probate and trust administration. John specializes in issues pertaining to family business succession, asset protection and tax issues. He and his team provide legal services to business owners, farmers, ranchers, mineral owners, executives and professionals in a comprehensive, organized and timely manner. They do this by listening to his client’s needs and providing solutions that not only provide positive financial outcomes but also emotionally satisfying results.
Services
Experience
Business Succession Planning
- Family Farming Operations
- Banks
- Oilfield Service
- Manufacturing Companies
- Ranchers
- Real Estate Development Companies
- Farm Equipment Dealerships
- Auto Dealerships
- Truck Dealerships
- Construction Equipment Dealerships
- Construction Companies
- Insurance Agencies
- Software Companies
- Radio and Television Stations
- Professional Services Firms
- Wholesalers and Distributors
- Seed Companies
- Bars and Restaurants
- Nursery/Garden Centers
- Water Well Drilling Companies
- Resorts
- Dental Practices
- Pharmacies
Tax Planning
- Estate Tax
- Gift Tax
- Generation Skipping Tax
- Income Tax
Document Solutions
- Wills
- Revocable Trusts
- Irrevocable Trusts
- Powers of Attorney
- Health Care Directives
- Partnership Agreements
- Operating Agreements (LLC)
- Corporate Documents
- Buy-Sell Agreements
- Deeds and other Conveyances
- Probate & Trust Administration Documents
- Premarital Agreements
Credentials
Education
- William Mitchell College of Law, J.D., cum laude
- University of St. Thomas, B.A. in Accounting, magna cum laude
Admissions
- North Dakota, 2005
- Minnesota, 2006
Recognition
- Best Lawyers in America, Litigation-Trusts and Estates, 2021-2024; Trusts and Estates, 2021-2024
- Chambers High Net Worth Guide, Private Wealth Law, North Dakota, 2017-2023
- Martindale-Hubbell AV® Preeminent Peer Review Rated, 2016-2023
- Fellow, American College of Trust and Estate Counsel, 2017-present
- Great Plains Super Lawyers, Estate & Probate, 2017-2022
- Commencement Speaker, Fargo Moorhead Chamber Leadership, 2008
- Certified Public Accountant, MN (Inactive)
Civic & Professional
Professional Activities
- State Bar Association of North Dakota
- Minnesota State Bar Association
- Cass County Bar Association
- Clay County Bar Association
- Minnesota Assistance Council - Veterans, Pro Bono Attorney, 2013-present
- Red River Valley Estate Planning Council Past Board Member, Past President
Community
- Growth Initiative Fund of the Greater Fargo/Moorhead Economic Development Corporation, Director
- National MS Society – Upper Midwest Chapter, Director, 2009-2014
- MSUM Graduate Studies Advisory Board, Director, 2009-2010
News & Insights
News
- Firm News
- Firm News
- Firm News
- Firm News
- Firm News
- Firm News
- Firm News
Publications & Presentations
“Take A Moment To Read This Article To Understand Why Making Good Fiduciary Designations Takes Real Time And Deep Thought,” Fargo INC!, October 7, 2021
Co-Presenter, “Wealth Transfer Strategies in Today’s Environment,” Western Dakota Estate Planning Council CLE, Bismarck, ND, October 20, 2020
“Pandemic’s Economic Opportunities Abound. Here Are Some Big Financial Planning Advantages You May Have Ignored,” Fargo INC!, October 8, 2020
Co-Presenter, “Estate Planning in Today’s Environment,” 2020 SBAND Destination CLE, Maui, HI, February 24, 2020
Co-Presenter, “Strategies to Protect the Family Farm in a Changing World,” Great Plains Land Expo, June 26, 2019
“How to Keep Family Farms in the ‘Family’,” Butler Machinery, March 2018
“Estate Planning for Farmers and Ranchers,” National Business Institute, February 2013, June 2015 and February 2018
“Dissecting the Modern Trust,” State Bar Association of North Dakota, February 2018
“ND LLC Act Update,” State Bar Association of North Dakota, December 2016 and December 2017
“Dissecting Trusts and Advanced Wealth Transfer Strategy,” Brady, Martz & Associates, P.C., October 2017
Co-Author, "Taking the Fear Factor Out of Succession Planning," Fargo INC!, August 2017
“Grantor Trusts,” National Business Institute, December 2016
Co-Presenter, “North Dakota’s Revised Uniform Limited Liability Company Act,” June 22, 2016
“Farm Business Law,” National Business Institute, June 2014 and March 2016
“Ag Business Choices for Succession and Tax Planning,” North Dakota Dairy Convention, November 2015
“Financial and Legal Items to Consider,” Conference for Aging Adults – Community of Care, September 2014
“Farm Business Succession … So You Have a Successor, Now How do You Get There?,” First State Bank of ND Growers Meeting, January 2014