Screw it. Swing it. Seal it. You name it, he’s done it. As a “recovering” contractor, Jeff has walked the muddy boots of both residential and commercial contractors. Before law school, Jeff spent over 30 years in the construction industry in a wide variety of roles. It all started the summer before his senior year in high school, he ran a hot-tar kettle for a flat roofing company for the summer.
Now, fast forward over that 30-year period, Jeff had been an Installer, Foreman, Estimator, PM, GM, and General Counsel for a family construction company. As a second-career attorney, who attended law school in 2010 while working full-time, Jeff’s practice mainly focuses on representing contractors both residential and commercial. With a keen understanding of contracts, contract management, plans, specs, and installation details. Jeff’s prior experience as a contractor helps him to provide his clients with a dimension of analysis that is unique amongst practitioners. His goal is always the same: to utilize his expertise to help his clients make informed decisions in order to reduce problems, decrease conflict, and avoid disputes.
When he’s not grinding away at work, Jeff can generally be found spending quality time with his family. Beyond that, he’s been a life-long exerciser, who loves sauntering summer walks and rugged hikes. Occasionally, when time permits – which is rare these days – he’s passionate about making that perfect cast on some serene section of a stream, when the light is just right, to present his aptly selected, delicate fly in that magical spot to yield an electrifying strike, and hopefully, catch (and release) another trout.
Licenses and Bar Admissions
- Minnesota (2014)
Education
- Brown College: Broadcast Communications; A.A.S. (1991) – Summa Cum Laude
- Liberty University – Religion; B.S. (2010) – Summa Cum Laude
- Hamline School of Law – Legal Studies; J.D. (2014)
- Dean’s List (6 Semesters Consecutively)
- CALI Award Recipient: Immigration Law
- Negotiation Award as Master Negotiator (As Voted by Peers)
- MN Dept. of Labor and Industry – State Appeals Board Hearing: Heritage Commercial Contracting LLC vs. City of Blaine – Lead Counsel; Blaine’s final inspection revocation overturned; Vote: 3-0 in favor of Heritage Commercial Contracting LLC. (2022)
- Minnesota Construction Law PLLC: Continuing Education Program (2020) – Presenter
- Associated Builder and Contractors of MN: Understanding Legalities of Building Plans (2021) – Presenter
- Hamline School of Law – CALI Award: Immigration Law
- Hamline School of Law – Negotiation Award as Master Negotiator
- MN Licensed Building Contractor: BC629417 (inactive)
- OSHA 30 (#36-601270543)
- GAF® Master Elite Contractor™ (former)
- Owens Corning® Preferred Contractor™ (former)
- Owens Corning® – Top of the House™ Certified (former)
- Certainteed® – Certified Contractor (former)
- Pella® Windows & Doors: Certified Pella Contractor™ (CPC Program) (former)
- Mulehide® – Certified Low-Slope Contractor/Installer (former)
- Vinyl Siding Institute® (VSI) – Certified (former)
- The Blue Book Network®: Java with Jeff contractor education series (2021)
- Haag Engineering: Certified Roofing Inspector (2010-11)
- Scaffold Access Industry Association (SAIA) – Certified Inspector (2015)
- Installation Masters™ (Windows & Doors): Certified Installer, Level RLC-1 (2012-13)
- AirVent®, Inc. – Certified in Ventilation (former)
- Buildertrend® – Project Manager Certified
- Construction Codes and Advisory Council: (Amanuensis for Annual Meeting) (1999)
- Minnesota Multi-Housing Association – Member (former)
- Associated Builders and Contractors of MN: Safety Committee Member (2021-22)