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Attorneys
James M. Susag is a shareholder and trial lawyer with Larkin Hoffman. His trial practice focuses on franchise, dealer and contract disputes, and real estate and construction. Mr. Susag has extensive first-chair trial experience, representing clients in numerous jury and court trials, arbitrations, administrative proceedings and appeals. Some of his recent successes include enforcement of franchise and dealer agreements in Federal District Courts in California, Wisconsin, and Minnesota, and in arbitration. Click here for more information on Mr. Susag. Bar Admissions Wisconsin, 2001 Minnesota, 1995 U.S. District Court, District of Minnesota U.S. Court of Appeals, 8th Circuit U.S. District Court, Western District of Wisconsin U.S. Court of Appeals, 7th Circuit U.S. District Court, Northern District of New York Professional Associations & Memberships Hennepin County Bar Association Minnesota State Bar Association Ramsey County Bar Association Education William Mitchell College of Law, St. Paul, MN, 1995 J.D., summa cum laude Staff Member, William Mitchell Law Review, 1994 - 1995 University of St. Thomas, St. Paul, MN, 1992 B.A., summa cum laude Certifications Minnesota State Bar Association Board Certified Real Property Specialist Certified as an arbitrator and mediator by the Minnesota, Alternative Resolution Review Board Honors Rising Star,® Super Lawyers magazine, 2002-2008 (formerly known as Minnesota Law & Politics magazine) Super Lawyer,® Super Lawyers magazine, 2009-2011 (formerly known as Minnesota Law & Politics magazine) Super Lawyer,® Super Lawyers Corporate Counsel Edition, Real Estate, 2010
Service Areas
Corporate Franchise and Distribution Litigation Real Estate, Land Use and Resources |
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Real Estate, Land Use and Resources Experience
Arbitration Involving Real Estate Misrepresentation
A client turns to Larkin Hoffman for representation during a five-day arbitration case involving the proper disclosure of the condition of the client’s high-valued home during the sale transaction.
Misrepresentation Involving 1031 Exchange
Larkin Hoffman represents a buyer who maintains the seller of two apartment buildings misrepresented the condition of the properties purchased in connection with a § 1031 exchange.
Common Interest Community Defective Design and Construction
Larkin Hoffman pursues claims on behalf of a townhome associate for defective construction under the Minnesota Common Interest Community Act against a large, national homebuilder.
Litigation Experience
Building Owner Compensated for Lost Rent and Inventory Costs
James Susag and Julie Nagorski recently obtained an award of substantial damages for the owner of a large manufacturing building following a four-day trial. After service of a writ of recovery, the occupant of the property required several weeks to remove its equipment and inventory. The award compensates the owner for lost rent and inventory costs.
Court Grants Motion for Summary Judgment Dismissing Premises Liability Claim
When a convenience store, with nearly 1,500 locations in the Midwest, was faced with a premises liability claim by a customer, it turned to Larkin Hoffman's litigation team for representation.
Court Dismisses Unlawful Eviction Action Brought Against a Landlord
A commercial landlord turns to Larkin Hoffman for help in fighting an unlawful eviction action.
Franchise and Distribution Experience
Franchisor Saves Market, Protects Customer List From Competitor
A franchisor client contacted Larkin Hoffman after it received a letter from one of its largest multi-unit franchisees, indicating they were closing all their stores, and demanding a six figure payment to protect from having more than 10,000 customer names and information delivered to a competitor. On one day’s notice, we obtained an injunction, prohibiting disclosure of the confidential information. That injunction led to the client taking over the entire business.
Courts Grant Two Separate Franchisors’ Motions to Dismiss Lawsuits and Enforce Contractual Mediation Provision
Despite having mandatory mediation and binding arbitration provisions in their franchise agreement, two franchisees of two different franchisors we represent brought suit in California, 18 months apart, seeking both damages and injunctive relief against our franchisor clients. In each case, we had the lawsuit dismissed, and each dismissal led to favorable settlements for our clients.
Protection of Franchisor Confidential Information
A national franchisor contacted Larkin Hoffman when their Minneapolis franchisee ceased operations and transferred customer records to a competitor.
Izzy's, Housing Developer at Odds Over a Downtown Minneapolis Site
James Susag discusses the implications of building an ice cream factory across from a proposed 12-story, 150-unit apartment complex in downtown Minneapolis. City development officials contend that both proposals can coexist on the same block. Read the full article, Izzy's, Housing Developer at Odds Over Downtown Mpls. Site, on the Star Tribune.
Non-Compete Cases: Does Anyone Really Win?
In the April issue of the Law Journal Newsletter - Franchising Business & Law Alert Charles Modell and James Susag discuss the enforcement of non-compete agreements in franchise cases.
Fourteen Larkin Hoffman Attorneys Named Super Lawyers
Larkin Hoffman Daly & Lindgren Ltd. is proud to announce that fourteen of its attorneys have been selected by their peers for inclusion in the 2011 edition of Minnesota Super Lawyers.®
Thirteen Larkin Hoffman Attorneys Named to the 2010 Super Lawyers List
Larkin Hoffman congratulates 13 attorneys as 2010 Super Lawyers.
Four Larkin Hoffman Attorneys Included in 2010 Super Lawyer Corporate Counsel Edition
Four Larkin Hoffman attorneys were selected for inclusion in the May/June 2010 Super Lawyers Corporate Counsel Edition. ® Tim Stoltman, Jim Susag, and Gary Van Cleve were selected in the Real Estate area, and Peter Coyle was selected in Land Use/Zoning area.
Larkin Hoffman Congratulates 12 Attorneys as 2009 Minnesota Law & Politics Super Lawyers
Larkin Hoffman is pleased to announce that Dan Ballintine, Ken Corey-Edstrom, Peter Coyle, Joe Fittante, Chris Harristhal, Frank Harvey, Chuck Modell, Dayle Nolan, Jim Quinn, Tim Stoltman, James Susag and Gary Van Cleve have been named as Super Lawyers® by Minnesota Law & Politics magazine.
Eight Larkin Hoffman Attorneys Selected as 2009 Rising Stars
Eight Larkin Hoffman attorneys named to the Minnesota Law & Politics Rising Stars® list.
Four Larkin Hoffman Attorneys Achieve Real Property Specialist Certification
Ryan Boe, Tamara O'Neill Moreland and Jim Susag have joined colleagues Gary Van Cleve, Tim Stoltman, Tom Alexander and Gary Renneke as MSBA Board Certified Real Property Specialists.
Susag Discusses U.S. Supreme Court Ruling
Larkin Hoffman attorney, Jim Susag, discusses how real estate development in the state of Minnesota may change.
Susag receives favorable decision for the City of Oak Grove
Jim Susag, shareholder, helped the City of Oak Grove move forward on a challenging redevelopment project.
Larkin Hoffman Attorneys Complete Land Acquisition by City of Oak Grove
The City of Oak Grove recently acquired several parcels of land within the West Lake George Redevelopment Project.
Larkin Hoffman Elects New Shareholders
Larkin Hoffman is pleased to announce that Daniel J. Ballintine, Kenneth Corey-Edstrom, Thomas J. Oppold and James M. Susag have been elected shareholders of the firm. Ballintine practices in the Employment Law Department. Corey-Edstrom practices in the Creditor, Debtor and Bankruptcy area. Oppold practices in the Intellectual Property Law Department. Susag practices in the Real Estate Litigation Department.
Susag Presents 'Protecting the Brand: A Legal Perspective'
Jim Susag will present “Protecting the Brand: A Legal Perspective” at the NOVUS Super Session in Hilton Head Island, South Carolina on March 24th.
Four Larkin Hoffman Franchise Attorneys to Participate in the 43rd Annual IFA Legal Symposium
Larkin Hoffman Franchise Attorneys Jim Susag, Chuck Modell, Cynthia Klaus, and Pam Merkle participated in the 43rd Annual IFA Legal Symposium held on May 17-19, 2010 at JW Marriott in Washington, DC.
Advanced Expert Witness Deposition Tactics
Jim Susag discusses using expert depositions at trail as part of an "Advanced Expert Witness Deposition Tactics" seminar.
Managing Construction Projects in North Dakota
Jim Susag discusses construction litigation as part of the "Managing Construction Projects in North Dakota" seminar held in Fargo, North Dakota.
Condominium Construction Issues in Minnesota
Jim Susag presents on construction claims and litigation as part of a "Condominium Construction Issues in Minnesota" seminar.
