JMZ updated
  • Jonathon M. Zentner
  • Shareholder
  • Arthur Chapman Kettering Smetak & Pikala, P.A.
  • Minneapolis, Minnesota
  • 612-375-5904  direct dial
  • 612-339-7655  fax

  • jmzentner@arthurchapman.com
LinkedIn vCard Print Arthur Chapman Kettering Smetak & Pikala, P.A.

Jon devotes 100% of his practice to defending construction trades against defect claims, contract disputes, additional-insured litigation, and construction injury claims. Jon’s clients include general contractors, stucco installers, window manufacturers, framers, roofers, lumber distributors, HVAC installers, excavators, and masons. Those working with Jon point to the fact that his  legal practice is guided by three construction principals: meeting with the client to outline goals, staying within budget, and working hard to get the job done. 

Jon grew up in Merrill, Wisconsin. 

Education

Hamline University School of Law, J.D., 1999
University of Wisconsin - Green Bay, B.S., 1996

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Biography

Jon devotes 100% of his practice to defending construction trades against defect claims, contract disputes, additional-insured litigation, and construction injury claims. Jon’s clients include general contractors, stucco installers, window manufacturers, framers, roofers, lumber distributors, HVAC installers, excavators, and masons. Those working with Jon point to the fact that his legal practice is guided by three construction principals: meeting with the client to outline goals, staying within budget, and working hard to get the job done. 

Jon grew up in Merrill, Wisconsin. 

Presentations

  • "Lawyers and Umbrellas...How to Capitalize on Your Most Valuable Asset: The Mind," MSBA Construction Law Section Meeting, May 2023
  • "Your Project, Your Team. Making the Most of Your Most Valuable Asset: The Mind," Associated General Contractors Construction Summit, January 2022
  • “Attorney Fee Provisions in Construction Contracts,” Minnesota Construction Law Seminar, Arthur, Chapman, Kettering, Smetak & Pikala, P.A., January 2019
  • “Building and Maintaining an Effective Risk-Management Program,” Minnesota Construction Law Seminar, Arthur, Chapman, Kettering, Smetak & Pikala, P.A., October 2017
  • "Multi-State Construction," Minnesota Construction Law Seminar, Arthur, Chapman, Kettering, Smetak & Pikala, P.A., October 2016
  • “Construction Law and Construction Insurance Coverage Panel Discussion,” Commercial Insurance Coverage Seminar, Arthur, Chapman, Kettering, Smetak & Pikala, P.A., May 2015
  • “Recent Developments in Risk Transfer,” Minnesota Construction Law Seminar, Arthur, Chapman, Kettering, Smetak & Pikala, P.A., October 2013
  • “How In-House Counsel Approach Risk Transfer,” 2012 Minnesota Construction Law Seminar, Arthur, Chapman, Kettering, Smetak & Pikala, P.A., October 2012

Publication

Honors

  • Rising Star® 2005-2012, Super Lawyer Top 100® 2018-2019, and Super Lawyer® 2014-2023, Thomson Reuters

Education

Hamline University School of Law, J.D., 1999
University of Wisconsin - Green Bay, B.S., 1996

Bar Admissions

Iowa, 2016
Minnesota, 1999
North Dakota, 2015
Wisconsin, 2000 
U.S. District Court, District of Minnesota, 2002
Tribal Court - Shakopee Mdwakanton Sioux Community (SMSC)

Certifications

NFPA 25: Inspection, Testing, and Maintenance of Water-Based Fire Protection Systems

Professional Associations and Memberships

AAA Construction Arbitrator & Mediator
AchieveMpls Graduation Coaches Program
Minnesota Defense Lawyers Association
Minnesota State Bar Association
Wisconsin State Bar Association

Licenses

Iowa
Minnesota
North Dakota
Wisconsin

Experience

Representative Cases
Tribal Casino: Represented general contractor in Tribal Court against water-intrusion claims at a casino/hotel. Alleged defect claims included EIFS, window installation, pre-cast concrete, and window manufacturer.

Commercial Office Park: Represented general contractor against water-intrusion claims at a commercial office complex. Alleged defect claims were limited to faulty window installation.

Commercial Office Building: Represented general contractor against water-intrusion claims at a Twin Cities commercial office complex. Alleged defect claims included faulty window installation and defects in the pre-cast masonry.

Condominium Projects: Represented general contractor against various claims brought by unit owners. Claims ranged from lack of adequate sound-proofing to a faulty hot-water transfer system. Also, Jon has represented an excavator sub-contractor in claim involving improper site grading for underground parking garage.

Private Road Construction: Represented general contractor in claim by owner of improper road construction at large residential development.

Residential Construction Defects: Represented a variety of different trades on Minnesota and Wisconsin residential construction defect lawsuits, including: stucco installer, framer/window, general contractors, window manufactures, framers, roofers, lumber distributors, HVAC installers, excavators, and masons.

Multi-Family Apartments: Represented sub-contractor mason in multi-million dollar dispute on apartment complexes located in both Wisconsin and Minnesota.

Private University: Represented general contractor in dispute with private university in Wisconsin. Claims related to alleged construction defects in standing seam metal roof system and masonry.

 

Practice Areas

Legal Team