John Rock - Minneapolis, MN

Overview

Awards and Honors

Super Lawyers® Selectees

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John Rock included in a Super Lawyers® list

Education

• Legal Education

  • University of Minnesota Law School, Minneapolis, Minnesota, 2002
    J.D.
    Honors: magna cum laude
    Honors: Order of the Coif
    Law Review: Minnesota Law Review, Managing Editor

• Non Legal Education

  • Augustana College, 1994
    B.A.
    Honors: cum laude
    Major: History

Current Employment Position(s)

• Managing Partner

Past Positions

• Dorsey & Whitney LLP, Associate, 2002 - 2011
• Rock Law LLC, 2011 - 2015

Pro Bono Activities

• Charter Board Member and President, Twin Cities Christian Legal Aid
• Humphrey Institute Policy Fellow, 2008-2009

Representative Cases

• Young, et al. v. ECTG Limited, (D. Minn. 2015). Lead counsel for plaintiff lenders in breach of promissory note litigation. Summary judgment granted in favor of clients for entire amount of requested monetary relief.
• Joan M. Christenson, et al. v. SII Investments, Inc and Paul A. Schmidt, FINRA Dispute Resolution, 2015. Lead counsel for Respondents in successful defense against unsuitability and fraud claims. Following grant of partial motion to dismiss and arbitration hearing, panel awarded less than 6% of Claimants’ requested monetary relief.
• Private AAA Arbitration (2014). Lead counsel for Registered Investment Advisor firm defending against claims of fraud, unsuitable financial planning advice and breach of contract. Following arbitration hearing, all claims dismissed with prejudice.
• Du v. U.S. Bancorp Investments, Inc., FINRA Dispute Resolution, 2012. Lead counsel for Respondent. Following the hearing, the FINRA arbitration panel dismissed all claims with prejudice.
• Gentile Nissan v. Nissan North America, Inc., Wis. Div. Hearing and Appeals, 2010. Counsel for Respondent Nissan in dealer termination; after trial, judgment for Nissan.
• Zimbrick Honda v. American Honda Motor Co., Inc., Wis. Div. Hearing and Appeals, 2010. Counsel for Respondent Honda in add-point case; after trial, judgment for Honda.
• United States ex rel. Barber v. Paychex, Inc., et al., (S.D. Fla. 2010). Represented defendant Ceridian Corporation in False Claims Act claim. Motion to dismiss granted; case dismissed with prejudice.
• Coleman v. Franken, Minnesota District Court, 2009. Represented candidate in 2008 U.S. Senate election contest proceedings.
• Krieg v. Ameriprise Financial Services, Inc., FINRA Dispute Resolution, 2007, Iowa District Court, Iowa Court of Appeals and Iowa Supreme Court 2008-2009. Lead counsel for respondent. Following the hearing, the FINRA arbitration panel dismissed all claims with prejudice. Claimant/plaintiff filed subsequent motions to vacate and reconsider, and appeals, all of which were decided in favor of respondent.
• Rockwell v. SII Investments, Inc., NASD Dispute Resolution, 2006. Lead counsel for respondents, a broker-dealer and financial advisor. Following hearing, the NASD arbitration panel dismissed all claims with prejudice and ordered claimant to pay all forum fees.
• R.L. Imports v. Subaru of America, Inc., D. Minn., 2005. Counsel for defendant in add-point protest. Following trial, favorable settlement allowing establishment of new dealer.
• Kohler v. Commissioner of Internal Revenue, United States Tax Court, 2003. Represented Petitioner in a case regarding estate tax valuation of closely held stock. Petitioner prevailed.

Bar Admissions

• Minnesota
• Iowa
• U.S. Court of Appeals 8th Circuit
• U.S. Court of Appeals 11th Circuit
• U.S. District Court District of Minnesota
• U.S. District Court Eastern District of Wisconsin
• U.S. District Court District of Colorado
• U.S. Tax Court

Other Affiliations

• Federal Bar Association (Member)
• Minnesota State Bar Association (Member)
• Iowa State Bar Association (Member)
• American Bar Association – Civil Litigation Section