2016 ACTLM Distinguished Jurist Honoree
Filed under: Distinguished Jurist Award
Judge John Q. McShane
Judge John Q. McShane served as Hennepin County District Judge until his retirement in March 2016. He was appointed to the Court in 1998 and elected to six-year terms in 2000, 2006 and 2012. As Judge, he presided over civil, criminal and juvenile cases.
After graduating from Notre Dame, John entered military service in September 1968, and served with honors as an infantry platoon leader in Viet Nam. After law school, he served as law clerk to the Honorable Miles W. Lord, United States District Court, Minneapolis, Minnesota. He then joined Gray, Plant, Mooty & Anderson, achieving partnership in 1980. In 1985, he was a founding partner of Bowman and Brooke, where he worked until his appointment to the bench.
Judge McShane specialized in the trial of complex litigation matters primarily in product liability. His practice was nationwide, requiring him to try cases in federal and state courts across the country.
Judge McShane joined Soule & Stull in April 2016. He provides arbitration and mediation services to clients and counsel, and serves as special master in complex litigation.
John and his wife Molly have three daughters, all Notre Dame graduates, and eight grandchildren. John has been active in many community organizations, including Catholic Charities, Notre Dame Club of Minnesota, St. Joseph’s Home for Children, North Side Child Development Center, Hearts & Hammers – Minnesota, and Our Lady of Grace Catholic Church.