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Jason A. Lien 
Partner

p 612.672.8319
f612.642.8319
jason.lien@maslon.com

3300 Wells Fargo Center
90 South Seventh Street
Minneapolis, MN 55402

Jason, a partner in Maslon's Litigation Group, focuses his practice on complex commercial litigation in a wide range of substantive areas with a special emphasis on international business litigation. He represents clients in state and federal court, and arbitrations in a variety of cases, including international trade disputes, business tort actions, shareholder claims, product liability lawsuits, and construction and real estate matters. Jason is a former trial lawyer with the Navy JAG Corps and has been recognized by Minnesota Law & Politics as a "Rising Star" for the past three years.

Areas of Practice
  • Litigation
  • Appeals
  • Amicus Curiae
  • Consulting on Appellate Matters
  • Eighth Circuit Appeals
  • Minnesota Appeals
  • Business Litigation
  • Competitive Practices/Unfair Competition
  • Construction Litigation
  • ADR
  • Claims Avoidance
  • Construction Claims
  • Contract Formation and Administration
  • Defective Construction Claims
  • Payment Claims
  • Real Estate Litigation
  • Condemnation/Eminent Domain and Relocation Benefits
  • Disputes Between Buyers and Sellers
  • Landlord Tenant Disputes
  • Landowner Disputes
  • Property Tax Appeals
  • Tort & Product Liability
  • Explosions and Fires
  • Products Liability
  • Financial Services
  • Defaulted Loans and Workouts
Education
  • University of Minnesota Law School, Minneapolis, Minnesota, 1998
    J.D.
    Honors: Cum Laude
  • Hamline University, St. Paul, Minnesota, 1994
    B.A.
    Honors: Cum Laude
    Honors: Phi Beta Kappa
    Major: Political Science & Legal Assistance
Bar Admissions
  • Minnesota, 1998
  • U.S. Court of Appeals for the Armed Forces, 1999
  • U.S. Navy-Marine Corps Court of Criminal Appeals, 2001
  • U.S. Supreme Court, 2002
  • U.S. District Court District of Minnesota, 2002
  • U.S. Court of Appeals 8th Circuit, 2003
Professional Associations and Memberships
  • Federal Bar Association - Member
  • American Bar Association - Member
  • Minnesota State Bar Association - Member
  • Hennepin County Bar Association - Member
Pro Bono Activities:
  • Volunteer Attorney, Assistant to the State Public Defender, Appeals
  • Mentor, Hamline University, St. Paul, Minnesota
Classes Taught
  • Sharpen Your Pencils: What Every Owner Needs to Know About Contracting with Designers and Constructors. What matters. A Maslon speaker series. May 2007
Publications
  • The Patriot Act Summary Guide, Minnesota CLE, 2005
  • The Failed Condemnation: May Property Owners Recover Compensation When the Government Changes its Mind?, Maslon Property & Construction Law Update, 2004
Honors and Awards
  • Minnesota Rising Stars
  • Corpus Juris Secundum Award, Civil Procedure, 1996

Experience

  • Represented midwest-based companies in contract disputes with international trading partners in Asia and Europe. 
  • Represented minority shareholder of closely-held Minnesota company in obtaining injunction to prevent controlling shareholders from taking actions to freeze out client, which ultimately resulted in successful multi-million dollar buy-out settlement.
  • Obtained jury verdict of $2.5 million for corporate garment rental client in dispute with detergent vendor over defect in product that damaged hundreds of thousands of client’s flame resistant garments.
  • Obtained jury verdict of $2 million for clients in breach of contract action against member of Indian gaming tribe.  
  • Recovered $1 million settlement for client in breach of contract claim against major hospitality company.
  • Appeared before the Minnesota Supreme Court, Minnesota Court of Appeals, and the Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals.
  • Advised and represented numerous property owners and real estate management companies in landlord-tenant disputes, mechanic’s liens claims, partition actions, and other related real estate litigation.
  • Advised and represented numerous contractors in construction disputes and other related real estate litigation.
  • Reversed and vacated criminal conviction in Minnesota Court of Appeals on behalf of pro-bono client.
  • Successfully represented United States Navy in hundreds of appeals before the Navy-Marine Courts of Criminal Appeals and Court of Appeals for the Armed Forces as both an active duty officer and reserve officer in the United States Navy Judge Advocate General’s Corps.

Cases & Transactions

  • Aaron v. Crooks, 2006 WL 91454 (Minn. Ct. App. Jan 17, 2006)
  • Afremov v. Amplatz, 2004 WL 77851 (Minn. Ct. App. Jan 13, 2004)
  • State v. Windish, 2003 WL 22952735 (Minn. Ct. App. Dec 16, 2003)
  • In re Foley Trust, 671 N.W.2d 206 (Minn. Ct. App. 2003)
  • Watkins Inc. v. Lewis, 346 F.3d 841 (8th Cir. 2003)
  • In re Estate of Palmer, 658 N.W.2d 197 (Minn. 2003)
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Maslon Edelman Borman & Brand, LLP  | 3300 Wells Fargo Center | 90 South Seventh Street | Minneapolis, MN 55402-4140 | p 612.672.8200