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John B. Massopust

Partner
Minneapolis
500 Washington Avenue South
Suite 4000
Minneapolis MN 55415
TEL: (612) 336-9109
FAX: (612) 336-9100
{ mail } jmassopu@zelle.com
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John learned and refined his trade litigating cases across America in such places as Las Vegas Nevada, Phoenix Arizona, Montgomery Alabama, Jupiter Florida, Chicago, Tulsa Oklahoma, Portland Oregon, Milwaukee Wisconsin, Cheyenne Wyoming, New York, Peoria Illinois, St Louis, Grand Rapids Michigan, Youngstown Ohio, Ashville North Carolina and Los Angeles. In 1988, he and a small group of friends founded the national litigation law firm that has become Zelle Hofmann. Fortunately, he still practices law with most of those friends. John was Managing Partner of the firm from 1995 through 1998 when his sole focus returned to representation of plaintiffs and defendants in their most complex and challenging commercial disputes.

Most recently, John concluded a nearly decade long commitment to an international insurance client requiring representation in a series of coverage, reinsurance and subrogation matters arising out of the 9/11 terrorist attack on the World Trade Center in New York. The response to the 9/11 terrorist attack required a priority and strategic relationship committing the top resources of the firm without limitations for as long as needed to resolve exposures arising from a series of interrelated disputes. At its height, John managed a team in excess of 40 lawyers committed to resolving this client’s 9/11 matters. John received what he considers the highest possible compliment when an Executive of this client recently observed, " Aside from the great level of service the firm has provided, you and your team all truly have a uniquely gifted ability to provide guidance, reassurance and deep thought while always having fun."

Prior to 9/11, John was co-lead counsel for ranchers, farmers and other landowners in a series of right-of-way trespassing cases brought against railroads, telecommunication companies and utilities for unlawful installation of fiber-optic lines. He remains active in his law practice and only regrets the long hours required in airplanes to get to the next courthouse.

John has always been attracted to the wonders of nature and treasures his lifetime of outdoor experiences including a 500 mile canoe adventure to Hudson Bay in Canada, hiking the Brooks Range in Alaska, climbing Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania and bicycling in Bhutan. His passion for fly-fishing led to ranch ownership in the spectacular Patagonia frontier of Chile. He hopes to make a small repayment for this lifetime of enjoyment by agreeing to serve on New Mexico’s Board of Trustees for The Nature Conservancy.

John looks forward to evaluating his next legal challenge. If you have a problem or an idea, he would enjoy hearing about it to determine if his experience, insight and interests may add value to your project.

Representative Matters

Allianz Insurance Company v. World Trade Center Properties LLC (Insurance coverage action, including two month jury trial, and related appraisal involving destruction of World Trade Center complex on 9/11 and claims in excess of $7 billion for property damage and time element losses)

Fiber Optic Class Action Litigation  (More than fifty coordinated class actions in which class members alleged trespass by multiple telecommunication company defendants on class members' property via the construction of nationwide fiber optic networks, and sought hundreds of millions of dollars in damages)

Professional Affiliations

Noteworthy

John was Managing Partner of the firm from 1995 to 1998.  He is also AV rated by Martindale-Hubbell.