John F.
Lorentzen

John Lorentzen practices in commercial litigation, insurance, and ERISA. His practice in these areas includes litigation and appeals before state and federal courts and agencies.

 

He has been involved as first chair in a number of trials, both jury and non-jury; arbitrations; and in over 30 reported or pending appeals.

Martindale-Hubbell
AV® Preeminent

 

The Best Lawyers in America®
 Commercial Litigation, 2012–2025

 

Great Plains Super Lawyers
Business Litigation, 2012–2024

 

Order of the Coif

 

Order of Barristers

 

American Bar Association 
Litigation Section

 

Iowa State Bar Association

 

Polk County Bar Association

 

Iowa Defense Counsel Association

 

McKennan v. Meadowvale Dairy Employee Benefit Plan, 973 F.3d 805 (8th Cir. 2020). Assignment of benefits to provider would not constitute appointment of provider as an authorized representative for internal ERISA appeals.

 

Telligen, Inc. v. Atlantic Specialty Insurance Company, 413 F.Supp.3d 842 (S.D. Iowa 2019). DOL’s request for inspection of ERISA plan documents was not a claim that was required to be reported to liability insurer.

 

Decker Plastics Corp. v. West Bend Mutual Insurance Company 880 F.3d 1017 (8th Cir. 2018). Physical damage from manufacturing defect not caused by “occurrence”.

 

Rebarcak v. Cincinnati Insurance Company 2017 WL 5957200 (S.D. Iowa 2017). No bad faith tort claim for breach of workers’ compensation settlement agreement.

 

Iowa Code § 522B.11(7) (2011). Re-establishing elements of negligence claim against insurance agent. Abrogating in part Langwith v. Am. Nat'l Gen. Ins. Co., 793 N.W.2d 215 (Iowa 2010), appeal after remand, 2012 WL 4513904 (Iowa Ct. App. 2012). 

 

McGinnis v. The Iowa Clinic 2009 WL 2424643 (Iowa Ct. App. 2009). No common law direct action by shareholders against corporation.

 

W.C. Stewart Constr., Inc. v. Cincinnati Ins. Co. 2009 WL 928871 (Iowa Ct. App. 2009). Physical damage from construction defect not caused by “occurrence”.

 

Travelers Cas. & Sur. Co. of Am. v. IADA Servs., Inc., 497 F.3d 862, 76 U.S.L.W. 1120 (8th Cir. 2007). No right of contribution between shared fiduciaries under ERISA (circuit split between the 2nd and 7th and the 8th and 9th.

 

Iowa Grocery Indus. Ass’n v. City of Des Moines 712 N.W.2d 675 (Iowa 2006). Municipal ordinance preempted by state statute.

 

OVERVIEW

John Lorentzen practices in commercial litigation, insurance, and ERISA. His practice in these areas includes litigation and appeals before state and federal courts and agencies.

 

He has been involved as first chair in a number of trials, both jury and non-jury; arbitrations; and in over 30 reported or pending appeals.

RECOGNITION

Martindale-Hubbell
AV® Preeminent

 

The Best Lawyers in America®
 Commercial Litigation, 2012–2025

 

Great Plains Super Lawyers
Business Litigation, 2012–2024

 

Order of the Coif

 

Order of Barristers

 

PROFESSIONAL & COMMUNITY AFFILIATIONS

American Bar Association 
Litigation Section

 

Iowa State Bar Association

 

Polk County Bar Association

 

Iowa Defense Counsel Association

 

SIGNIFICANT CASES

McKennan v. Meadowvale Dairy Employee Benefit Plan, 973 F.3d 805 (8th Cir. 2020). Assignment of benefits to provider would not constitute appointment of provider as an authorized representative for internal ERISA appeals.

 

Telligen, Inc. v. Atlantic Specialty Insurance Company, 413 F.Supp.3d 842 (S.D. Iowa 2019). DOL’s request for inspection of ERISA plan documents was not a claim that was required to be reported to liability insurer.

 

Decker Plastics Corp. v. West Bend Mutual Insurance Company 880 F.3d 1017 (8th Cir. 2018). Physical damage from manufacturing defect not caused by “occurrence”.

 

Rebarcak v. Cincinnati Insurance Company 2017 WL 5957200 (S.D. Iowa 2017). No bad faith tort claim for breach of workers’ compensation settlement agreement.

 

Iowa Code § 522B.11(7) (2011). Re-establishing elements of negligence claim against insurance agent. Abrogating in part Langwith v. Am. Nat'l Gen. Ins. Co., 793 N.W.2d 215 (Iowa 2010), appeal after remand, 2012 WL 4513904 (Iowa Ct. App. 2012). 

 

McGinnis v. The Iowa Clinic 2009 WL 2424643 (Iowa Ct. App. 2009). No common law direct action by shareholders against corporation.

 

W.C. Stewart Constr., Inc. v. Cincinnati Ins. Co. 2009 WL 928871 (Iowa Ct. App. 2009). Physical damage from construction defect not caused by “occurrence”.

 

Travelers Cas. & Sur. Co. of Am. v. IADA Servs., Inc., 497 F.3d 862, 76 U.S.L.W. 1120 (8th Cir. 2007). No right of contribution between shared fiduciaries under ERISA (circuit split between the 2nd and 7th and the 8th and 9th.

 

Iowa Grocery Indus. Ass’n v. City of Des Moines 712 N.W.2d 675 (Iowa 2006). Municipal ordinance preempted by state statute.