STEPHEN P. LAITINEN is a partner with Larson King LLP, where he works for clients in the areas of complex commercial, professional liability, construction defect, intellectual property, and product liability disputes. He regularly tries cases to verdict in state, federal and administrative courts, and litigates in state and federal courts throughout the country. Mr. Laitinen is a frequent regional and national speaker on complex commercial litigation issues. He co-authored "Swanson v. Brewster: Are the Minnesota Courts Reforming the Tort System?' published in the William Mitchell College of Law's Journal of Law and Practice (April 2011); and "Social Media - A New 'Must Use' Tool in Litigation," in FOR THE DEFENSE (August 2010) with colleague Hilary Loynes. Mr. Laitinen is the current chair of the Commercial Litigation Committee and a member of the Amicus Curiae and Long Term Care committees for the Minnesota Defense Lawyers Association. He is admitted to practice before the U.S. District Court, District of Minnesota; the U.S. Court of Appeals, Eighth Circuit; and the Eastern District for U.S. District Court, District of Wisconsin. Mr. Laitinen is a member of the Ramsey County, Hennepin County, and Minnesota State bar associations; the Minnesota Defense Lawyers Association; and the Defense Research Institute. He earned his B.S. degree from the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse and his J.D. degree from Drake University.

JOHN A. MARKERT is a partner with Larson King LLP. Mr. Markert focuses his practice on the construction industry, assisting a wide variety of clients with their legal needs, including contract drafting and negotiation, payment claims, delay claims, defective design litigation, as well as property damage and personal injury claims. His clients include contractors, subcontractors, designers, developers and suppliers. Prior to joining the firm, he spent 16 years in the construction industry, working for a general contractor in both the field and the office. Mr. Markert's experience affords him the ability to understand his client's business and quickly grasp the technical aspects of claims. This background, along with his legal experience, allows him to provide "real world" advice and practical, proactive steps to avoid claims or effectively manage them if they cannot be avoided. Mr. Markert represents clients in both offensive and defensive claims in multiple forums, including state and federal court, arbitration and administrative hearings. He also serves as a mediator for construction disputes. Specific areas of litigation expertise include the following: payment disputes, including mechanic's liens and bond claims; design defect claims; delay and cumulative impact claims; warranty claims; insurance coverage disputes; defense of wrongful death and catastrophic injury claims; and administrative board actions. Mr. Markert was recognized as a Rising Star attorney for 10 consecutive years and named a Minnesota Super Lawyer in 2014, 2015 and 2016 by the Minnesota Law & Politics magazine. Mr. Markert received his B.A. degree from the University of Minnesota and his J.D. degree from William Mitchell College of Law. He is a member of the American Bar Association, Minnesota State Bar Association, Minnesota Defense Lawyers Association, Ramsey County Bar Association, DRI Construction Practice Group, Construction Financial Management Association and Minnesota Construction Association.

THOMAS R. OLSON is the founding partner of Olson Construction Law, P.C., located in West Saint Paul, Minnesota. Mr. Olson advises contractors and sureties in construction on issues spanning most areas of underground, highway, and vertical construction. He regularly assists public contractors to secure extra payment and time extensions on city, county, state, and federal projects. Mr. Olson has trial experience before arbitration panels, state and federal courts, and federal contracting boards. He has argued appeals before the multiple state and federal appellate courts. Mr. Olson is admitted to practice in Minnesota, Iowa, Nebraska, North Dakota, and South Dakota. He is a member of the National Utility Contractors Association (board member), the Construction Law Section of the Minnesota State Bar Association, the Minnesota Association of General Contractors, the Minnesota Utility Contractors Association (former board member), the North Dakota AGC, the South Dakota AGC, the Nebraska AGC, the Iowa AGC, and the Colorado NUCA. Mr. Olson earned his B.A. degree from the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point and his J.D. degree from Hamline University School of Law.