John Joseph Neal

John J. Neal John joined the firm in 2008 and became a partner in 2013. Prior to practicing law, John served as a judicial law clerk for two years. He graduated with distinction from the University of Iowa School of Law where he was a member of and published author for the Iowa Law Review. Prior to law school, John served as an investigator for Georgetown University Law Centers Criminal Justice Clinic in Washington, D. C. John is a Certified Fire and Explosion Investigator and Instructor, as well as a former on-call firefighter. John practices in various areas of law with a focus on insurance and fire litigation. John grew up in the Sandhills of Nebraska. His mother still lives on the ranch that has been in the family for over 125 years. When not working, John enjoys spending time with his wife and children. Education Undergraduate: Iowa State University - B. S. & B. A., with Honors and Distinction Law School: University of Iowa - J. D., with Distinction; Iowa Law Review Elk River Fire Academy - FF1, FF2, Haz Mat & EMR National Fire Academy - Fire Investigation Interview and Testimony Certifications and Licenses Attorney - Minnesota Supreme Court; Minnesota Federal Court Certified Fire and Explosion Investigator (CFEI) - National Association of Fire Investigators (NAFI) Certified Fire Investigation Instructor (CFII) - National Association of Fire Investigators (NAFI) Youth Firesetter Prevention and Intervention Specialist - National Fire Academy (FEMA) (Inactive) Firefighter I - Minnesota Board of Firefighter Training and Education (Inactive) Firefighter II - Minnesota Board of Firefighter Training and Education (Inactive) HAZMAT - Minnesota Board of Firefighter Training and Education (Inactive) Honors and Awards Rising Star, Minnesota Law and Politics (2016, 2017) Minnesota Association of Farm Mutual Insurance Companies (MAFMIC) Volunteer of the Year Award (2018) Super Lawyer 2023 Committees and Memberships National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) Technical Committee on Fire Investigation Units - Principal (2019-Present) MAFMIC Policy Committee (2012-Present) MAFMIC Editorial Committee (2012-Present) Wright County Fire Investigation Team (2019-Present) (Inactive) Albertville Fire Department (2017-Present) (Inactive) Professional Affiliations International Association of Arson Investigators (IAAI) - Minnesota Chapter National Association of Fire Investigators (NAFI) National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) Defense Research Institute (DRI) Product Liability & Fire Science Litigation Committee Minnesota State Bar Association Stearns-Benton County Bar Association Minnesota Defense Lawyers Association Published Works Striking Batson Gold at the End of the Rainbow?: Revisiting Batson v. Kentucky and its Progeny in light of Romer v. Evans and Lawrence v. Texas, 91 Iowa L. Rev. __ (2006). Gender Identity and Sexual Orientation Discrimination in the Workplace: A Practical Guide, Bloomberg BNA (2014) - reviewer for Iowa and Nebraska.