John Arthur 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 recently served as counsel in a series of multi-plaintiff race discrimination and retaliation cases against the Minneapolis Police Department on behalf of five veteran officers. Those cases settled for a combined $825,000.

John lives and works in the heart of Minneapolis, Minnesota. He is married and has two children and the obligatory Labrador Retriever.

Seattle University School of Law

J.D. | Law

1992 - 1993

University of British Columbia Faculty of Law

LL.B. | Law

1989 - 1992

Managing Partner

John A. Klassen, P.A.

1996 - Current

Super Lawyer 2003-2009

Minnesota Law and Politics

Who's Who in Employment Law in Minnesota 2002, 2005-2009

Minnesota Law and Politics

Minnesota State Bar Association

Board Member of the Labor and Employment Section Governing Council

2007 - Current

National Employment Lawyers Association

Member

1997 - Current

Minnesota State Bar Association

Member

1994 - Current

Minnesota

Since 1994

8th Circuit

Since 1997