Summary

Marc is one of only a very few attorneys to have been certified as both a Civil Trial Specialist and a Real Estate Law Specialist by the Minnesota State Bar Association. Marc is a qualified neutral under Minnesota Practice Rule 114. He practices primarily in the areas of real estate litigation, eminent domain, property tax valuation, complex civil litigation, mediation and arbitration and appellate law.

Real Estate Litigation
In more than 30 years of practice, Marc has developed a strong presence in real estate litigation. He has resolved numerous real property disputes including valuation issues, purchase agreement problems, construction litigation, land use and zoning, and commercial landlord/tenant problems. For example, he recently represented a landowner where a small part of a large commercial property was being condemned for a road widening. The State offered $870,000. The case was settled shortly before trial for $3.7 million plus reimbursement for all attorneys’ fees and costs.

Marc’s comprehensive knowledge of real estate development and conveyancing gives him a unique platform for resolving real estate disputes. Before attending law school, Marc was a real estate research specialist involved in preparing market feasibility studies for shopping centers, hotels and downtown redevelopments. His breadth of experience in representing developers, owners, tenants and government entities helps him to gain a quick grasp of the issues, and provides him a decided advantage in proposing unique solutions for resolving real estate problems.

Eminent Domain
Marc’s eminent domain experience on both sides of many types of eminent domain disputes has given him a broad and unique perspective to efficiently and fairly resolve eminent domain disputes. He is a frequent lecturer on eminent domain topics and is often consulted when other attorneys are seeking advice in resolving complicated factual situations. Marc has also been selected to mediate eminent domain disputes.

Property Tax Valuation
Marc has been involved in many cases venued before the Minnesota Tax Court and the District Courts involving the valuation of commercial property for property tax purposes. Marc has worked extensively with appraisal experts in determining such issues as highest and best use, methods of valuation, depreciation, obsolescence and determining market value. He has extensive experience in the procedural aspects of property tax valuation and in application of the rules of procedure and evidence.

Complex Civil Litigation
During the course of his practice, Marc has litigated numerous types of complex matters, including antitrust, ERISA (Employee Retirement Income Security Act), long-term contracts, foreclosures and commercial bankruptcy. His cases have included resolving disputes for such products as coal, popcorn, turkeys, beer and manure.

Appellate Law
Marc has appeared before the appellate courts numerous times. He has been very successful in explaining complicated commercial and real estate concepts and secured many positive results for his clients.

Awards

  • Honoree, Real Estate Litigation, Minnesota Super Lawyers

  • AV Preeminent Rating, Martindale-Hubbell

  • North Star Lawyer, Minnesota State Bar Association

  • Patron Fellow, American Bar Foundation

All Service Areas

All Practices

Education

  • University of Pennsylvania Law School (1983)

    National Moot Court Team

  • Augustana University (South Dakota) (1978)

    summa cum laude
    Blue Key Honor Society

Admissions

  • Federal - U.S. Supreme Court
  • State - Minnesota
  • Federal - 8th Circuit Court of Appeals
  • Federal - District of Minnesota
  • Federal - Western District of Wisconsin

Notable Matters

  • Successfully represented Minnesota Counties at the Minnesota Court of Appeals and Minnesota Supreme Court in case where commercial taxpayer sought to end-run and disrupt Minnesota’s property tax system by asserting “constitutional” claims outside Minnesota’s statutory framework for resolving property tax disputes.
  • Minnesota Supreme Court: Interpreted state statutes specifying which structures at industrial plants were subject to property tax, affirming continued validity of “special purpose” property designation, and describing proper application of cost and sales
  • Represented land owner/developer in partial-taking for highway project. State offered $870,000; settled shortly before trial for $3.7 million plus reimbursement for all attorneys’ fees and expert costs.
  • Represented national discount retailer with large store in central Minnesota; negotiated arrangements to minimize disruption and provide extra signage and clear travel routes for customers when state transportation department took part of shopping center grounds for highway expansion.
  • Represented northern Minnesota city in acquiring numerous land parcels for $35 million flood control project; commenced two eminent domain proceedings; represented city in ten commission hearings; negotiated settlements for all properties without court trials.
  • Drafted Conservation Easement on behalf of Catholic religious order to forever preserve a hilltop, historic Italianate Motherhouse and Chapel with extensive natural grounds, including reference to the recitals in Pope Francis’ encyclical on “Care for the Earth;” preserving the structures and the green spaces “as an example of the Franciscan care for nature and a home for animals and birds.”
  • Represented property owner in negotiating changes to government taking, to allow for hotel development and guaranteed access during construction.
  • Minnesota Court of Appeals affirmed property tax valuation after trial in district court and also approved denial of subpoena for expert witness and substantial recovery of expert witness costs.
  • Minnesota Court of Appeals holds that the language of the Petroleum Marketing Practices Act does not overcome language in a franchise contract, which precludes convenience store operator from claiming loss of going concern damages when property was condemned for road widening.
  • Minnesota Court of Appeals interpreted newly amended eminent domain statute to identify conditions under which a court may authorize public access to private property for conducting environmental tests.
  • Minnesota Court of Appeals upholds pre-existing lease for billboard against new owners’ attacks based on lack of spouse’s signature and that inadequate legal description violated the Minnesota Statute of Frauds.
  • Obtained reimbursement of full costs for relocation of outdoor advertising sign adjacent to interstate highway following hearings before an administrative law judge, after condemning authority had purchased underlying land and had denied that client was entitled to any reimbursement.
  • Successfully secured order from administrative law judge that outdoor advertising client was eligible for relocation benefits, after condemning authority had initially denied client’s claims concerning billboard adjacent to highway.
  • Represented counties in defense of property tax assessments on large agri-industrial facilities, offices and industrial properties.
  • Represented property owner/developer in defense of claims by adjacent owner that client’s redevelopment activities violated terms of reciprocal easement agreement.
  • Minnesota Court of Appeals affirmed hearing officers’ findings that auto parts business failed to properly document direct-loss claim for relocation benefits following eminent domain acquisition.
  • Represented southern Minnesota city in eminent domain jury trial to determine damages when city road project removed primary access and altered property’s highest and best use.
  • Represented suburban city in negotiated purchase and eminent domain acquisitions of interstate-frontage properties for highway expansions; settlements including city/business land swap and reimbursement of construction costs to accommodate effects of taking on remainder of auto dealership property.
  • Represented suburban city in negotiated purchases and eminent domain acquisition of commercial properties for highway roundabout.
  • Served as a mediator to successfully resolve eminent domain dispute between state transportation department and national outdoor advertising company, involving the taking and valuation of a billboard adjacent to a major urban highway.
  • Served as mediator for several “Buy the Farm” cases, which involved both acquisitions and personal property relocations.
  • Served as mediator to successfully and creatively resolve complicated real estate lawsuit involving multiple buyers and sellers, where all parties had misunderstood likely application of municipal land use regulations.
  • Served as mediator to successfully resolve eminent domain dispute between state transportation department and long-time landowner in case involving large suburban land parcel in prime development location.
  • Served as mediator to successfully resolve eminent domain taking by the state transportation department, where landowner had large developable property adjacent to new suburban retail project.

Professional Affiliations

  • The Fellows of the American Bar Foundation

    Minnesota State Co-Chair

  • Warren E. Burger Inn of Court

    Master

  • American Bar Association

    Member, Litigation Section and Forum on Construction Law

  • Minnesota State Board of Legal Certification

    Past Member

  • Minnesota State Bar Association

    Certified Civil Trial Specialist
    Certified Real Estate Law Specialist
    Member, Civil Litigation, Real Estate, Alternative Dispute Resolution, Tax and Construction Sections

  • Ramsey County Bar Association

    Member

  • Hennepin County Bar Association

    Member
    Former Chair, Vice-Chair and Secretary, Eminent Domain Section

  • Second Judicial District

    Past Member, Ethics Committee and Eminent Domain Policy Committee

  • Southern Minnesota Regional Legal Services (SMRLS)

    Volunteer Attorney

  • Saint Paul Area Chamber of Commerce

    Board Member and Director, SPACC Charitable Foundation

Community Involvement

  • Saint Paul School Board

    Elected Member (1994-1998)
    Vice-Chair and Treasurer
    Former Chair, Citizens Budget and Finance Advisory Committee
    Former Member, Blue Ribbon Commission on Diversity and Equity

  • City of Saint Paul Charter Commission

    Former Member

  • Joint Property Tax Advisory Committee

    Former Member
    Chair, Joint Debt Subcommittee

  • Ramsey County Historical Society

    Board Member

  • U.S. Soccer Federation

    Former Certified Referee, Grade 7

  • St. Mary’s Health Clinics

    Former Board Member

  • Saint Paul Public Schools Foundation

    Former Board Member

  • Educational Technology Associates

    Former Board Member

  • Prepare Saint Paul

    Former Board Member

  • Saint Paul Downtown Council

    Former Board Member

  • Ramsey County Regional Railroad Authority

    Former Member, Citizen’s Advisory Committee

  • Macalester-Groveland District Council

    Board Member

  • Ramsey County Historical Society

    Board Member

  • West Summit Neighborhood Advisory Council

    Board Member