JUrsu@GreeneEspel.comDownload vCard
Education
- J.D., University of Michigan, 2002
- M.A., University of Exeter (U.K.), 1996
- B.A., Kenyon College, cum laude, 1992
Experience
- Dorsey & Whitney, LLP, Associate, 2004-2005
- United States District Court, the Hon. Richard H. Kyle, Law Clerk, 2002-2004
John Ursu litigates complex commercial and intellectual-property disputes. John has practiced at Greene Espel since 2005 where, according to the 2010 edition of Benchmark: The Definitive Guide to American’s Leading Litigation Firms and Attorneys, he “has made a name for himself managing complex business disputes.”
John graduated from the University of Michigan Law School in 2002, where he was Managing Editor of the Michigan Law Review. While at Michigan, he won the 78th Annual Henry M. Campbell Moot Court Competition, which the university describes as “one of the highest honors a Michigan law student can achieve." John won a range of awards while at Michigan, including the Jason L. Honigman award for his contributions to the Law Review over two years. Following law school, John clerked for the Honorable Richard H. Kyle of the United States District Court for the District of Minnesota.
When John is not practicing law, he is likely chasing around his three young daughters or playing hockey. John graduated cum laude from Kenyon College and has a Master’s degree from the University of Exeter in England. Contact John directly to learn more about his commercial and intellectual-property practice.
BAR ADMISSIONS
Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals
U.S. District Court, District of Minnesota
State of Minnesota
AWARDS AND RECOGNITION
- Rising Star, Minnesota Super Lawyers (2011)
- Future Star, Benchmark: The Definitive Guide to American’s Leading Litigation Firms and Attorneys (Third Annual Edition, Fourth Annual Edition)
- Champion, 78th Annual Henry M. Campbell Moot Court Competition at University of Michigan Law School (2002), as awarded by Judge Frank Easterbrook (7th Cir.), Judge Steven Reinhardt (9th Cir.), and Barbara Underwood, former Acting Solicitor General for the United States.
- Managing Editor, Michigan Law Review, Vol. 100 (2001-02)
- Jason L. Honigman Award (2002), for the greatest contributions to the Michigan Law Review
- Certificate of Merit (2002), for the highest grade in Constitutionalism in South Africa
- James A. Dykema Award (2001), for election to the editorial board of the Michigan Law Review
TEACHING AND LECTURING
Privilege in Multiparty Litigation – The Joint Defense and Common Interest Privileges, Minnesota CLE (June 15, 2011)
The Lawyer as Witness: When Attorney-Client Communications Are the Subject of Litigation, Minnesota CLE (October 21, 2008)
REPRESENTATIVE CASES
Superior Seafoods, Inc. v. Tyson Foods: Bob Gilbertson and John Ursu persuaded Eighth Circuit to adopt new standard for reviewing the grant of summary judgment in equitable actions and won affirmance for Greene Espel’s client, Tyson Foods, in trademark dispute.
Hoyt Properties, Inc., et al. v. Production Resources Group, LLC, et al. Following remand from the Minnesota Supreme Court, Andy Luger and John Ursu won partial summary judgment and then bench trial on breach of contract, recession, and negligent misrepresentation claims in one of the largest and most extensively litigated commercial lease disputes in Minnesota history.
Association Casualty et. al v. Allstate, et al.: Made significant new law with respect to administrative remedies, associations, fiduciary duties, and boards of directors in complex reinsurance litigation arising out of Hurricane Katrina. Tried two-week jury trial with Larry Espel in Southern District of Mississippi in Hattiesburg, Mississippi.