John Mooty has practiced law with Gray Plant Mooty since 1944. He has been a partner since 1954 and served as a managing officer of the firm for more than 20 years. John specializes in corporate law and has participated in a large number of corporate mergers, acquisition transactions, and franchise law matters. He is best known for rebuilding franchise corporations such as International Dairy Queen and National Car Rental. He also has devoted considerable time to settlement negotiation matters in business-related situations.
John was born in Adrian, Minnesota, in the Southwest part of the state, attended high school in Worthington, Minnesota, and received his law degrees from the University of Minnesota Law School.
Experience
- Bureau of Engraving, Inc., Board of Directors
- International Dairy Queen, Inc., Board of Directors, chairman prior to Berkshire Hathaway acquisition
- Culligan Soft Water Service Company, Board of Directors
- CDSI Holdings, Inc., Board of Directors
- Riverway Co., Board of Directors
- Rio Verde Services, Inc., Board of Directors
- Rio Verde Utilities, Inc. Board of Directors
- Marvin M. Schwan Great Great Grandchildren’s Trust, trustee
Publications
- "Minnesota Practice Methods,” coauthor
Education
- University of Minnesota Law School, L.L.B., 1944
Minnesota Law Review, editorial staff
Order of the Coif - University of Minnesota, B.S.L., 1943
Professional Activities
- American Bar Association
- Minnesota State Bar Association
- Hennepin County Bar Association
Honors and Distinctions
- Super Lawyer, Minnesota Law & Politics
- Noted as the oldest “Super Lawyer”
- Minnesota Business Hall of Fame, 2003
- Alumni Service Award, University of Minnesota, 1985
- Outstanding Achievement Award, University of Minnesota, 1990
- The Gray, Plant, Mooty, Mooty & Bennett Foundation Professorship was established at the University of Minnesota Law School in Honor of John W. Mooty, 1990
Community Involvement
- University of Minnesota Alumni Association, past president and member
- Minneapolis Rotary Club, past president and member
- Citizens League, past president and member
- St. John’s Lutheran Church, past president
- Governor's Task Force on Education, chairman
- Uniform Laws Commission, representative
- Minnesota Republican Party, state chairman, and has been state chairman for presidential, gubernatorial, senatorial, and attorney general campaigns