John Conard is an experienced civil and criminal litigation attorney with a winning track record that spans over two decades. John is recognized for his dedication to justice and his adeptness in the courtroom, earning him a reputation as a formidable advocate for his clients.
John’s journey into law commenced with a fervent desire to safeguard the rights of others. Following the attainment of his Juris Doctorate, he swiftly ascended through the ranks, honing his trial advocacy skills under seasoned mentors. His relentless pursuit of excellence culminated in his certification as a trial specialist, underscoring his proficiency and mastery.
In civil litigation, John has navigated a diverse array of cases, spanning from employment law to personal injury claims. Utilizing a strategic approach and meticulous attention to detail, he consistently secures favorable outcomes for his clients. In criminal law, John is a staunch defender of the accused, leveraging his extensive experience to ensure equitable treatment under the law.
Beyond the courtroom, John is actively engaged in various community initiatives, driven by a passion for effecting positive change. His commitment to making a difference is evident in his ongoing endeavors to utilize his legal skills for the betterment of society.
With a steadfast dedication to justice and an unwavering focus on his clients’ needs, John Conard continues to leave an indelible mark on the legal profession.
Education
Practice Areas
Bar Admissions
Special Licenses & Certifications
- Gerry Spence Trial Lawyers College, Trial Practice, Graduate II, 2011
- Certified by the Minnesota State Bar Association as a Criminal Law Specialist
- AAFS- Annual Meeting of the American Academy of Forensic Sciences, 2013
- AAFS- Annual Meeting of the American Academy of Forensic Sciences, 2014
- Gerry Spence Trial Lawyers College, Jury Trial Practice, F- Warrior, 2010
- Grad II, Trial Lawyers College. Each year I dedicate one week to both presenting and learning the newest and most advanced trial skills as a returning graduate of the selective Gerry Spence Trial Lawyers College., 2012
- DNA Defense–National Institute for Science and Technology, 2011
Honors & Awards:
- Selected as one of the Best Lawyers in America by U.S. News and World Report, Best Lawyers in America, Best Lawyers in America, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023
- Selected to WHo’s WHo in America., Marquis Who’s Who, Marquis Who’s Who, 2019 – Current
- Rated as a Superlawyer for 2020., Superlawyers, Superlawyers, 2020
- Rated as Superlawyer for 2019, Super Lawyers, Super Lawyers, 2019
- Rated as a top attorney in Minnesota, Top Attorney, Minneapolis St. Paul Magazine, 2019
- Rated Superlawyer, Super Lawyers, Super Lawyers, 2018
- Top Attorneys in Minnesota, Minneapolis St. Paul Magazine, 2018
- Top Attorneys in Minnesota, Minneapolis St. Paul Magazine, 2017
- Top attorney rating in white collar and criminal defense., Top Attorney, Avvo, 2018
- Top Attorneys in Minnesota, Minneapolis St. Paul Magazine, 2016
- Top Attorney rating in white collar and criminal defense., Top Attorney, Avvo, 2016
- Certificate of Appreciation for Exemplary Work Ramsey County Attorney’s Office, 2010
- Excellence for the future Award- Contracts, CALI, 2004
- Summa Cum Laude, William Mitchell College of Law, 2006
- G.D. Boat Scholarship for excellence in Political Science Central College, 1993
- Ranked Third in his Class, William Mitchell College of Law
- Top 100 Trial Lawyer, The National Trial Lawyers, 2014
- Public Service Award, Minnesota Justice Foundation, 2006
- Founder’s Scholarship, William Mitchell College of Law, 2003
- Wormhoudt Pre-Law Scholarship, Central College, 1991
- National Intercollegiate Mock Trial Tournament, American Mock Trial Association
- Client Distinction Award Martindale-Hubbell, 2013
- Excellence for the Future Award – Securities Regulation CALI, 2005
- Vander Lugt Award for excellence in philosophy Central College, 1993
- Martindale-Hubbell® Client Distinction Award Recipient
- Prestigious Trial Lawyers College and accepted back every year since his admission for hundreds of hours of graduate work
Writings & Lectures
- Advanced Voire Dire instruction for the Minnesota Association for Justice., Faculty, Advanced Voire Dire, Minnesota Association for Justice, Trial Lawyers, 2019
- A local TED type group in Manhattan, I am an invited speaker in their ongoing “Salon Series” which serves investment professionals and their lawyers., Faculty, What Isn’t White Collar Crime these Days? Salon Series- National Thinkers Symposium, Finance And Law, 2019
- Teach Advanced Voire Dire in a three day seminar, Faculty, Voire dire Regional Seminar, New York 2019, Trial Lawyers College, 2019
- Teaching graduates of the Trial Lawyers College advanced presentation and message techniques., Faculty, Graduate One Trial Lawyers College, Trial Lawyers College, 2019
- Faculty at a three day seminar on advanced voire dire., Faculty, Voire dire Regional Seminar, New Orleans 2019, Trial Lawyers College, 2019
- Instructor–Seminar covering advanced messaging and framing. Worked with experts to deliver practical useful approaches to trial messaging for an audience of the best trial lawyers in Minnesota., Instructor, Advanced Trial Story, Minnesota Association For Justice, 2018
- Instructor– Week long workshop with the most accomplished criminal trial lawyers from around the country. Every aspect of trial practice was developed including voire dire, cross examination, discovery strategy, storytelling, direct examination, complex case presentation, closing argument, and open statements., Faculty, In Defense of the Damned, Trial Lawyers College, 2018
- Guest Lecturer–Advanced methods to deal with difficult issues in difficult cases. How to create an environment where covert biases can be discovered, and discussed., Instructor, Advanced Voire Dire, Iowa Association For Justice, 2018
- Instructor–Three day seminar instructing accomplished lawyers on the newest techniques to discover the winning trial story, including how to find and describe the emotional truth of a story., Faculty, Discovering the Story, Trial Lawyers College- Texas, 2018
- Instructor and Judge– At the culmination of the selective Trial Lawyers College is a week that includes mock trials and integration of all the skills taught in the first two weeks. Judged trials and offered instruction on integrating skills and strategies to achieve connection and persuasion., Faculty, Trial Lawyers College- July 2018, Trial Lawyers College, 2018
- Instructor– Graduate program for accomplished trial lawyers that have graduated from the selective Trial Lawyers College. This is a week long program addressing core presentation skills and techniques. Using the most advanced techniques from the courtroom and the performing arts, we focus on connection and persuasion in communication., Faculty, Grad One, Trial Lawyers College, 2018
- Group Leader- This is a week long seminar for graduates of the selective Trial Lawyers College. We worked on advanced cross examination techniques focused on expert witnesses., Group Leader, Graduate 2, Trial Lawyers College, 2018
- Faculty, Trial Lawyers College- Direct Examination, Trial Lawyer’s College, 2017
- Guest Speaker, Motions and More, Nebraska Criminal Defense Lawyer’s Association, 2017
- Faculty, In Defense of the Damned, Trial Lawyers College, 2017
- Instructor, Advanced Trial Series- Voire Dire, Minnesota Association Of Justice, 2017
- Instructor, Advanced Trial Skills Series- Discovering the Story, MAJ Minnesota Association of Justice, 2017
- Faculty, Trial Lawyers College, Trial Lawyer’s College, 2017
- Faculty- Atlanta regional seminar, Trial lawyers College – Closing Arguments, Trial Lawyers College, 2016
- Faculty and group leader, Defending the Damned- On campus in Dubois Wyoming, Trial Lawyers College, 2016
- Instructor at the three week college, the most prestigious and selective trial program in the country., Faculty and group leader, The Trial Lawyers College, The Trial Lawyers College, 2016
- Lecturer, Advanced Cross Examination of Forensic Experts, MSBA, 2015
- Lead a group exploration of voire dire in complex sex crimes cases., Group Leader, Grad Two, Trial Lawyers College Grad II, 2015
- Speaker, Rules of the Road Cross Examination of Expert Witnesses, Minnesota Association of Justice, A New Era Of Trial, 2014
- Presented and lead a group session on the effective cross examination of expert witnesses., Presenter, Cross Examining Forensic Experts, Trial Lawyers College, Trial Lawyers College, 2014
- Author, Imperfect Heroes, The Warrior- The Journal Of The Trial Lawyer’s College, 2014 Forensic Evidence: The Criminal Defense Attorney’s Never-Ending Education, Utilizing Forensic Science in Criminal Cases, West Publishing, 2011
- Speaker, Cross examining Forensic Experts, Minnesota State Bar- Criminal Trial School, 2013 Session Leader, Trial Lawyers College, 2013
- Search Warrants Current Law, BCA Criminal Justice Training, 2011
- Brief Writing: Clarity and Persuasion, Public Defender District Training, 2008
- West Law’s “Utilizing Forensic Science in Criminal Cases.”