Overview
John Mandler is an experienced trial lawyer and a Fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers. He has led or acted as lead trial counsel for bellwether trials in more than a dozen multidistrict litigation (MDL) matters or complex class action matters in cases around the country, defeating and managing high-exposure claims. He has successfully tried more than 30 cases to verdict, many of which have been multiple-month trials.
John represents clients in various industries, including medical devices, consumer products, agribusiness, chemical and industrial manufacturing, construction products, and social media platforms. He serves as lead trial counsel and national litigation counsel for multiple Fortune 500 companies.
Multidistrict Litigation
John has served as lead counsel and bellwether trial counsel in multiple multidistrict litigation proceedings. In particular, John is experienced in leading MDLs comprising dozens of class actions. Class actions require a specific strategy, and national MDLs are another. MDLs made up of class action matters are unique in nature and have their own set of challenges.
MDL Representative Experience
- Lead defense of MDL involving class actions involving consumer pet products
- Lead defense of MDL involving class actions involving pesticide products
- Lead trial lawyer in MDL bellwether trials involving numerous medical devices and pesticide products
Class Actions
John leads teams of class action attorneys coordinating the defense of class action suits pending in multiple jurisdictions.
Class Action Representative Experience
- Defeated class claims in national MDL involving pesticide products
- Defeated class claims involving an agricultural chemical product in a multistate class action
- Defeated class claims in national MDL representing national window manufacturer
Related Industries
Credentials
Bar Admissions
Minnesota
District of Columbia
Court Admissions
U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit
U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit
U.S. Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit
U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit
U.S. District Court for the Central District of Illinois
U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Arkansas
U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Wisconsin
U.S. District Court for the District of Minnesota
U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Florida
U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois
U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Illinois
U.S. District Court for the Western District of Arkansas
U.S. District Court for the Western District of Michigan
U.S. District Court for the Western District of Wisconsin
U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Missouri
Languages
Spanish
Education
Georgetown University Law Center
J.D. cum laude (1988)
Northwestern University
B.A. (1985)
University of Buenos Aires
Visiting Scholar (1989)
Insights & Events
Latest
Insights
News
Other Perspectives
- 2016 Food & Agriculture National Conference
Host, Faegre Baker Daniels, Indianapolis, May 2016 - Assessing the Changing Landscape of Genetically Engineered Crops and Foods
Moderator, Food & Agriculture National Conference, Faegre Baker Daniels, May 2014
Leadership & Community
Pro Bono
- LAC Housing Clinic
- The Advocates for Human Rights — Board of Directors, 2007-16
- Mid-Minnesota Legal-Aid Society — Board of Directors
- White Earth Land Recovery Project
Professional Associations
- American Seed Trade Association
- CropLife America
Honors
- American College of Trial Lawyers — Fellow
- Minnesota Lawyer — The POWER 30: Business Litigation, 2021
- Faegre Drinker — Pro Bono Award, 2023
- Faegre Drinker — Pro Bono Honor Roll, 2020-23
- Minnesota Super Lawyers — Class Action/Mass Torts, 2015-23
- Who’s Who Legal — Product Liability Defense, 2023
- Acritas — Star Lawyer, 2018-19
- Minnesota Advocate's Award for Services in Defense of Human Rights
- Faegre Baker Daniels — Pro Bono Honor Roll, 2014-16, 2018-19; John C. Benson Pro Bono Award, 2007