John A. Klassen

John A. Klassen

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John A. Klassen, P.A.

Employment Litigation - Employee Lawyers in Minneapolis, MN in Minneapolis, MN

Minneapolis, MN612-204-4533
Employment Litigation - EmployeeWhistleblowerSexual HarassmentDiscrimination in EmploymentAge DiscriminationGender Discrimination

About John A. Klassen

John is the founder of the Minneapolis employment and civil rights litigation firm of John A. Klassen, P.A. He received law degrees from the University of British Columbia (1992) and Seattle University (1993). Since 1994, John has practiced exclusively in the areas of employment and civil rights law. He has represented employees and victims of civil rights violations throughout the United States, in the areas of harassment and discrimination law, False Claims Act/Qui Tam claims, whistleblower law, wage and hour disputes, class action claims, employment contract disputes, and sexual abuse. Employees consult with him on a regular basis in regard to their severance agreements and non-competition agreements. John's cases have received international press coverage, including recent stories by the New York Times, the Washington Post and the International Herald Tribune. His cases have been featured on CNN and Minnesota Public Radio. In 2006 and 2007, John successfully litigated cases against the Minneapolis Fire Department and its fire chief for alleged sexual harassment and retaliation. This series of three related cases included this country's first known reverse sexual orientation discrimination case against the head of a large public agency. Past victories on behalf of victims of workplace discrimination and harassment include million dollar-range results for his clients. John lives and works in the heart of Minneapolis, Minnesota. He is married and has two children. Awards and Honors Super Lawyers® Selectees John A. Klassen included in a Super Lawyers® list Honors Minnesota Super Lawyers, 2003 - 2022 Minnesota Super Lawyers Rising Stars, 2001 - 2002 Who's Who of Minnesota Employment Law, 2002 - 2007 Other Sources of Feedback About John A. Klassen Included on the 2026Minnesota Super Lawyers list Past Lists 2025 Minnesota Super Lawyers list 2024 Minnesota Super Lawyers list 2023 Minnesota Super Lawyers list 2022 Minnesota Super Lawyers list 2021 Minnesota Super Lawyers list 2020 Minnesota Super Lawyers list 2019 Minnesota Super Lawyers list 2018 Minnesota Super Lawyers list 2017 Minnesota Super Lawyers list 2016 Minnesota Super Lawyers list 2015 Minnesota Super Lawyers list 2014 Minnesota Super Lawyers list 2013 Minnesota Super Lawyers list 2012 Minnesota Super Lawyers list 2011 Minnesota Super Lawyers list 2010 Minnesota Super Lawyers list 2009 Minnesota Super Lawyers list 2008 Minnesota Super Lawyers list 2007 Minnesota Super Lawyers list 2006 Minnesota Super Lawyers list 2005 Minnesota Super Lawyers list 2004 Minnesota Super Lawyers list 2003 Minnesota Super Lawyers list 2002 Minnesota Super Lawyers list 2001 Minnesota Super Lawyers list

Education

Legal Education

  • University of British Columbia, Faculty of Law, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, 1992
  • LL.B.
  • Seattle University School of Law, Seattle, Washington, 1993
  • J.D.

Non Legal Education

  • University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota
  • Honors: Member of the Honors Division
  • Major: International Relations

Current Employment Position(s)

  • Managing Partner

Past Positions

  • Neaton Puklich & Klassen, PLLP, Partner, 2001 - 2004

Classes and Seminars

  • Cutting Edge Topic in Sexual and Racial Harassment, Hennepin County Bar Association, 2006 - 2007
  • Settlement Agreements in Employment Law Cases, Minnesota Trial Lawyers Association, 2005 - 2007
  • Employment Law Clinic, University of Minnesota
  • Human Resources Class, University of St. Thomas MBA Program

Representative Cases

  • Stanina v. Blandin Paper Co., 2006 WL 2069203, D.Minn., (JRT/FLN) July 26
  • Year: 2006
  • Predzik v. Shelter Corporation, Inc., Slip Copy, 2006 WL 2794368, 12 Wage & Hour Cas. 2d (BNA) 13, D.Minn., (JRT/FLN) Sept. 27
  • Modtland v. Mills Fleet Farm, Inc., 2004 WL 2730100, D.Minn., (PAM/RLE) Nov. 28
  • Year: 2004
  • Jensen v. AstraZeneca, LP, 2004 WL 2066837, D.Minn., (JRT/FLN)

Published Works

Articles

  • Race, Color and National Origin Discrimination, Employment Law Handbook, Minnesota Trial Lawyers Association, February, 2002
  • Defamation in Discipline and Discharge, Minnesota Trial Lawyers Magazine, Spring, 2003
  • Discovery Issues in Employment Litigation, Minnesota Trial Lawyers Magazine, Fall, 2003
  • The Duty of Loyalty - What Employees Owe to Their Employers, Minnesota Trial Lawyers Magazine, Summer, 2004
  • The Accidental Federal Court Litigator, Minnesota Trial Lawyers Magazine, Fall, 2004
  • Sexual Harassment Cases After Duncan v. GMC, Minnesota Trial Lawyers Magazine, Spring, 2005
  • Public Employee Protections Against Retaliation for Free Speech - The Right to Speak About Matters of Public Concern, Minnesota Trial Lawyers Magazine, Spring, 2006
  • Negotiating and Drafting Severance Agreements, Minnesota Trial Lawyers Magazine, Winter, 2006
  • Statute of Limitations Issues in Hostile Work Environment Cases, Minnesota Trial Lawyers Magazine, Winter, 2007

Bar Admissions

  • Minnesota, 1994
  • U.S. District Court District of Minnesota, 1994
  • U.S. Court of Appeals 8th Circuit, 1997

Other Affiliations

  • National Employment Lawyers Association, 1999 - Present (Member)
  • Minnesota State Bar Association (Member)
  • Hennepin County Bar Association (Member)
  • Fraternities and Sororities
  • Sigma Alpha Epsilon

Attorney Details

Full NameJohn A. Klassen
FirmJohn A. Klassen, P.A.
Address310 4th Avenue South, Suite 5010, Minneapolis, MN 55415
Phone612-204-4533
Phone612-204-4534
New Clients✓ Currently accepting
Consultation✓ Free initial consultation