Areas of Practice
James Golembeck is a partner with Jardine, Logan & O’Brien, P.L.L.P. Prior to joining the firm in 1987, Jim was a staff attorney for the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) in Washington, D.C., and a geologist. Jim represents clients in matters related to land use-zoning controls, real property law, construction disputes, and water and environmental law. He practices principally in the areas of:
Water Law and Environmental Issues. Jim represents municipalities, counties, townships, watershed districts, and housing redevelopment authorities in matters involving environmental issues. He has developed a niche practice involving issues surrounding land and water use, drainage, and soil. Jim also has extensive experience in environmental issues involving drainage and ponding of development water and wetland concerns. As a trained geologist and experienced environmental lawyer, Jim can be a tremendous asset in matters involving Fracking of soils.
Construction Disputes. Jim has also developed a niche practice area in construction disputes representing the interests of municipalities, counties, townships, watershed districts, and housing redevelopment authorities. His clients benefit by creative solutions and cost efficiencies that result from Jim’s vast knowledge and experience in this and related areas.
Zoning and Development Issues. Jim also represents individual property owners, as well as corporations in matters involving zoning and development issues. He provides litigation and advisory services to resolve platting of property and easement dedications, as well as other zoning and development issues.
About
Jim was born in Blue Island, Illinois. While attending law school, he served as Editor of the North Dakota Law Review. He has served in several leadership positions for Jardine Logan & O’Brien, including managing partner for ten years and timekeeper development chair for five years.
Representative Experience
- City of Owatonna v. Rare Aircraft, Ltd., 2009 WL 1684479 (Minn. Ct. App. June 16, 2009), review denied August 26, 2009
- Minnesota Commercial Ry. Co. v. Rice Creek Watershed Dist., 2009 WL 748951 (Minn. Ct. App. March 24, 2009)
- Nelson v. Short-Elliot-Hendrickson, Inc., et al., 716 N.W.2d 394 (Minn. App. 2006)
- Nolan and Nolan v. City of Eagan, 673 N.W.2d 487 (Minn. App. 2003)
- Sampson Prop., L.P. v. City of Mendota Heights, 2000 WL 53385 (Minn. App. 2000)
- Nemecheck v. City of Byron, 1999 WL 1138441, (Minn. App. 1999)
- City of Stillwater v. Hanson, 1998 WL 481886 (Minn. App. 1998)
Practice Areas
- Civil litigation defense
- Water law
- Environmental law
- Construction law
- Zoning and development
Bar Admissions
- North Dakota (1985)
- Minnesota (1986)
- Wisconsin (1995)
- U.S. District Court for the District of Minnesota (1987)
- U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia (1987)
- U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit (1987)
- U.S. Supreme Court (1994)
Education
- J.D. University of North Dakota School of Law – Grand Forks, North Dakota (1985)
- B.A. with distinction, University of Minnesota – Morris, Minnesota, double-major Geology and Political Science (1982)
Honors
- AV® Preeminent™ Peer Review Rating, Martindale-Hubbell®*
*AV® is a certification mark of Reed Elsevier Properties Inc., used in accordance with the Martindale-Hubbell certification procedures, standards and policies.
Professional Memberships
- Minnesota Defense Lawyers Association (MDLA) (Member, 2006 to Present)
- Minnesota State Bar Association (MSBA) (Member, 1986 to Present)
- State Bar Association of North Dakota (SBAND) (Member, 1985 to Present)
- Washington County Bar Association (WCBA) (Member, 1999 to Present)
- State Bar of Wisconsin (Member, 1995 to Present)
- American Association of Petroleum Geologists (Past Member)
Published Works
- “Waters & Water Courses – TORTS,” North Dakota Law Review, Vol. 60 (1984)
