News & Updates

It is with great sorrow that we announce the loss of our partner, former Minnesota Supreme Court Justice John E. Simonett. 

A Minnesota native, Justice Simonett grew up in Le Center and studied at St. John’s University in Collegeville until World War II interrupted his studies. Justice Simonett served as an infantry lieutenant in the Philippines. After the war, he returned to St. John’s and graduated with a bachelor’s degree before attending the University of Minnesota Law School, where he served as president of the Minnesota Law Review. He then entered into private practice with state legislator Gordon Rosenmeier in Little Falls, where he and his beloved wife Doris raised six children.  In his 29 years of private practice, Justice Simonett earned a reputation as a well-respected trial attorney and legal commentator. 

Justice Simonett was appointed to the Minnesota Supreme Court in 1980 by Governor Al Quie. Justice Simonett’s tenure on the bench was marked by his thoughtfulness, civility, and wit. After retiring from the Supreme Court in 1994, Justice Simonett joined Greene Espel, where he served as a counselor, mediator and arbitrator until his official retirement in 2007. His gracious and humble mentoring provided an extraordinary gift to us all.

He will be greatly missed by his family, friends, and his Greene Espel family.