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Mediator Resume
John M Degnan, Esq.
Current Employer-Title
Taft Stettinius & Hollister LLP – Attorney, Shareholder
Profession
Attorney, Arbitrator, Mediator
Work History
Partner/Attorney, Taft Stettinius & Hollister LLP (formerly Briggs and Morgan P.A.), 2004 - Present; Lawyer and Shareholder, Murnane Conlin Brandt & White, 2003 - 2004; Lawyer and Shareholder, Bassford Lockhart Truesdell & Briggs, 1976 - 2003; Insurance Agent/Underwriter, Marsh & McLennan Inc., 1973 - 1976; Lieutenant, U.S. Army, 1970 - 1972.
Experience
Most of the ADR practice involves mediation and arbitration of cases involving business litigation, shareholder disputes, professional liability and employment issues. Also experience in special master and e-neutral matters.
An accomplished trial lawyer who represents clients in the areas of commercial/business litigation, professional liability and disciplinary matters, directors and officers liability, intellectual property litigation, E-discovery and information governance, personal injury and employment law.
Regularly represents clients in business disputes, as well as members of the legal and medical communities in professional matters. More than 40 years of experience handling these claims. Also represents clients with electronic medical records (EMR) issues and has experience with HIPAA.
Co-Editor of the Minnesota E-Discovery Deskbook; Member of the Minnesota E-Discovery Working Group, and was an author of an e-discovery article published in the 2014 William Mitchell Law Review, Volume 40, Number 2, entitled "An Electronic Discovery Primer." Frequently invited to speak to members of the bench and bar on e-discovery best practices and information governance.
25% of practice involves motor vehicle accident cases. Of that, 75% is handling plaintiff's matters; 25% is handling claims for defendants, insurers or subrogors. Remainder of practice involves commercial litigation, professional liability, and work as a mediator and arbitrator.
Mediator Experience
Has mediated a large number of cases since mediation (or other non-binding forms of ADR) became mandatory in the late 1980's. Experience includes many personal injury and wrongful death cases, including malpractice litigation, as well as employment cases, shareholder disputes and other business litigation.
Representative Issues Handled as a Mediator
Serious personal injury and death, various employment issues regarding alleged discrimination and harassment. Shareholder disputes usually involve closely held corporations, one of which involved several hundred million dollars at stake for each of the shareholders. A number of the shareholder disputes involved professioals, such as lawyers and physicians. Has also mediated construction cases that involve wrongful death claims, usually with multiple parties.
Mediator Style & Process Preferences
I work hard in mediation to be sure the parties know that it is their case and they have to make the ultimate decision, and yet try best to facilitate an acceptable resolution. Many times I find that there are non-economic as well as economic issues that need to be addressed. I try to approach each case as unique. Some cases get resolved quickly and some take much longer, some even take more than one session (although I find that to be rare).
Education
William Mitchell College (JD-1976); University of Minnesota (BA, Psychology & Speech Communication-1970).
Professional Licenses
Admitted to the Bar: Wisconsin (2016), Minnesota (1976); U.S. Court of Appeals, Eighth Circuit; U.S. Supreme Court.
Certified Civil Trial Specialist: Minnesota State Bar Association.
Board Certified Civil Trial Advocate: National Board of Trial Advocacy.
Minnesota Rule 114 Neutral.
Professional Associations
American College of Trial Lawyers
American Board of Trial Advocates (ABOTA)
Warren E. Burger Inn of Court, Master, 2004 – Present
Southern Minnesota Regional Legal Services, Member, 2003 – Present – Leadership Campaign Committee, Member
International Association of Defense Counsel, Member
Academy of Certified Trial Lawyers of Minnesota, Board Member and Officer
Minnesota Defense Lawyers Association, Member – Former President
Hennepin County Bar Association, Member
American Bar Association, Member
Federal Bar Association, Member.
Recent Publications & Speaking Engagements
PUBLICATIONS
Minnesota E-Discovery Deskbook, Co-Editor and Author of three chapters on e-discovery and computer forensics - "An Electronic Discovery Primer"; "Professionalism and Ethics in E-Discovery"; and "Forensic Experts - When and How to leverage the Talent";
"E-Discovery: Arbitration in a Digital World", American Arbitration Association Webinar Series, February 2016;
"Safeguarding Employers in 2016: Computer Forensics and the Departing Employee", Briggs and Morgan Breakfast Briefing Series, April, 2016;
E-Discovery Primer, William Mitchell Law Review, Volume 40, No. 2;
"ADR: Gauging the Impact on Medical Liability Lawsuits," THE DIGEST, The St. Paul Medical Services, Spring 1994
"Minnesota Legal Malpractice Claims," HENNEPIN LAWYER, July-August 1987
"The Current Law of Legal Malpractice - 1986 Update," MLM VIEW, January 1987
"Minnesota Legal Malpractice: Principles of Law and Prescriptions for Prevention," BENCH AND BAR, March 1985
"Legal Malpractice in Minnesota: What It Is and How to Avoid It," HENNEPIN LAWYER, April 1982
SPEAKING ENGAGEMENTS
"Safeguarding Employers in 2016: Computer Forensics and the Departing Employee", Briggs and Morgan Breakfast Briefing Series, April, 2016;
"Sharing Patients and Risks," Minnesota Dental Association, April 28, 2006, October 14, 2005
"The Team Approach: Sharing Patients and Risks," Minnesota Dental Association, April 29, 2005
"IP Legal Malpractice: Issues and Prevention," Minnesota Intellectual Property Law Association, August 10, 2004
"Hiring to Firing: Effective Employment Practices," Minnesota Dental Association, April 23, 2004, April 25, 2003
"Denturism Seminar," Minnesota Dental Association, February 28, 2004
"Trial Preparation - How to Handle the Unexpected," Minnesota Defense Lawyers Association Trial Techniques Series, October 1, 2003
"The ABC's of D&O Coverage," All District Legal, July 21-22, 2003
"Alternative Dispute Resolution," Minnesota Institute of Legal Education, December 4, 2002,
"Techniques in Mediation, Arbitration and Settlement," Minnesota Institute of Legal Education, October 23, 2002
"ADR - More Than Just Mediation," Minnesota Defense Lawyers Association Trial Techniques Series, March 27, 2002
"Talking to the Jury: Voir Dire, Opening Statements and Closing Arguments," Minnesota Defense Lawyers Association 25th Annual Trial Techniques Seminar, August 18-19, 2000
"Both Sides of Medical Negligence Cases," Minnesota Trial Lawyers Association, December 10, 1999
"Alternative Dispute Resolution," Minnesota Trial Lawyers Association, November 5, 1999.
Additional speaking engagements available upon request.
Compensation
Hourly Rate: $450.00
Daily Rate: Not provided
Study Rate: $450.00/hr
Cancellation: Not provided
Cancellation Period: Not provided
Comment: Cancellation policy: No minimum charge, only for time spent in preparation prior to cancellation.
Languages
English
Citizenship
United States of America
Locale
Minneapolis, Minnesota
