News
John M. Degnan
Partner Minneapolis
- E jdegnan@taftlaw.com
- T (612) 977-8660
- F (612) 977-8650
Summary
John is an accomplished trial lawyer, arbitrator and mediator who has handled more than 100 jury trials. As a member of Taft’s Commercial Litigation practice, John represents clients in the areas of:
- Commercial/business litigation and shareholder disputes
- Legal and medical professional liability and licensing board matters
- Directors and officers liability
- Intellectual property litigation
- E-discovery, computer forensics and information governance
- Personal injury
- Employment law
- Mediation and arbitration neutral, court-appointed special master and e-neutral
John has more than 40 years of experience handling malpractice claims, prescription drug and pharmacy matters, products liability and issues relating to the federal False Claims Act. John has also represented clients with electronic medical records (EMR) issues and has experience with HIPAA. He is frequently chosen as a mediator and arbitrator in business disputes and employment, commercial and injury cases.
John is a co-editor of the Minn CLE E-Discovery Deskbook and was a member of the Minnesota E-Discovery Working Group. He 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.” He is frequently invited to speak to members of the bench and bar on e-discovery best practices and computer forensics. John also participates in healthcare discussions locally and nationally.
Awards
Honoree, Lawyer of the Year, Best Lawyers, Legal Malpractice Law – Defendants (2015, 2021, 2023)
Honoree, North Star Lawyer, Minnesota State Bar Association
Honoree, Top Lawyers, Legal Malpractice Law, Minnesota Monthly (2022 – present)
Taft Pro Bono Honor Roll Award
(2022)
Honoree, Best Lawyers in America, Legal Malpractice Law – Defendants, Personal Injury Litigation – Plaintiffs (2013 – present)
Fellow, American Board of Trial Advocates
Fellow, American College of Trial Lawyers
Attorney of the Year, Minnesota Lawyer (2009 & 2015)
Recognized as an “Alumnus of Notable Achievement,” University of Minnesota College of Liberal Arts (2007)
Honoree, Minnesota Super Lawyers, Business Litigation
(1996 – present)
Honoree, Who’s Who in America
North Star Lawyer Pro Bono All-Star, Minnesota State Bar Association (2020)
Outstanding Alumni Award, William Mitchell College of Law
(2015)
All Service Areas
Education
- William Mitchell College of Law
- University of Minnesota
Admissions
- State - Minnesota
- Federal - U.S. Supreme Court
- State - Wisconsin
- Federal - 10th Circuit Court of Appeals
- Federal - 8th Circuit Court of Appeals
- Federal - District of Minnesota
Speeches and Publications
- Presenter, “An E-Discovery Primer for Arbitrators,” American Arbitration Association Webinar (Sept. 2024)
- Presenter, “Ethics and Mediation,” Civil Mediation Skills Training, PowerHouse (Feb. 2023)
- Presenter, “Ethics and Mediation,” Civil Mediation Skills Training, PowerHouse (Oct. 2020)
- 2015-04-23, Attorney John Degnan Receives Outstanding Alumni Award
- 2019-10-07, Minnesota E-Discovery Deskbook, 2016 – 2019, Co-Editor and Author of Three Chapters
- 2014-10-12, An Electronic Discovery Primer, William Mitchell Law Review, Volume 40, Issue 2, Article 4
- 2015-10-26, John Degnan Discusses Health Law in Episode of Healthcare Matters
News
Three Hundred Sixty-Three Taft Attorneys Recognized in Best Lawyers in America® 2025 News
Thirteen Taft Attorneys Recognized in Minnesota Super Lawyers 2024 News
20 Taft Minneapolis Attorneys Recognized as 2023 North Star Lawyers for Outstanding Pro Bono Service News
Thirty-Eight Taft Minneapolis Attorneys Recognized as Top Lawyers 2023 by Minnesota Monthly
Professional Affiliations
- Minnesota State Bar Association
Member
Civil Trial Specialist - National Board of Trial Advocacy
Board Certified Civil Trial Advocate
- Warren E. Burger Inn of Court
Master (2004-Present)
- Southern Minnesota Regional Legal Services (SMRLS)
Member, Leadership Campaign Committee
- International Association of Defense Counsel
Member
- Defense Research Institute
Member
- Academy of Certified Trial Lawyers of Minnesota
Board Member
Officer - Minnesota Defense Lawyers Association
Past president
- Hennepin County Bar Association
Member
- American Bar Association
Member
- Federal Bar Association
Member