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Attorneys
Rob concentrates his litigation practice on real estate and construction disputes. His clients include developers, contractors, business owners and property owners. He also represents property owners in condemnation, property tax and special assessment matters. Bar Admissions North Dakota, 2000 Minnesota, 1999 U.S. District Court, District of Minnesota U.S. Court of Appeals, 8th Circuit U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Wisconsin Professional Associations & Memberships American Bar Association, Construction and Litigation Forums Hennepin County Bar Association Minnesota Bar Association State Bar Association of North Dakota Education Hamline University School of Law, St. Paul, MN, 1999 J.D. Associate, Hamline Law Review Associate, Hamline Journal of Public Law & Policy North Dakota State University, Fargo, ND, 1996 B.S. Prior Experience Judicial Law Clerk, Hon. Timothy J. McManus, First Judicial District, Minnesota Law Clerk, United States Attorney's Office, Minneapolis, Minnesota Honors
Service Areas
Litigation Real Estate, Land Use and Resources |
Real Estate, Land Use and Resources Experience
Successful Jury Verdict in Transportation Case
After battling the Minnesota Department of Transportation for nearly eight years in his attempt to seek just compensation for the client’s land that was taken for a highway project, this client turned to Larkin Hoffman for litigation support.
Multi-Million Dollar Settlement Secured for Property Owner in Long-Running Special Assessment/Regulatory Taking Disputes with City of Rochester
After five years of litigation, Gary Van Cleve and Rob Stefonowicz successfully settled two lawsuits on behalf of property owner/client Frank Kottschade against the City of Rochester that will result in Kottschade recovering over $5.6 million in cash and development benefits.
Litigation Opposing Land Development Fees
Larkin Hoffman forces settlement from a city on claims of violations of state law and breach of contract arising out of development approvals to which the city sought to attach substantial lot development fees.
Litigation Experience
Protecting Small Business Owners’ Confidential Information
The owners of small businesses located in four Midwestern states contacted Larkin Hoffman for support in protecting confidential information pertaining to their businesses, which operate under licenses for trademarked names and marks.
Mortgage Foreclosure Priority Dispute
When three large commercial lenders initiated a mortgage foreclosure priority dispute, the defendant turned to Larkin Hoffman.
Developer Who Sued State Gets $8 Million Jury Award
A Rochester real estate developer won a multimillion-dollar jury verdict this week in a years-long eminent domain dispute with the state of Minnesota.
Condemnation Damages: A Property Owner's Constitutional Right to Just Compensation
Rob Stefonowicz discusses the implications of the government's power to condemn land and how it affects a property owner's rights.
Property Owners’ Condemnation Bill of Rights
As a Minnesota property owner, you have certain constitutional and statutory rights when a local, county, or state government proposes to take your private property for a public purpose. Here is a list that we call our “property owners’ bill of rights” to inform and remind you of these rights.
Contractors Beware EPA Lead Paint Renovation Rule Now in Effect
Contractors in Minnesota and throughout the United States that perform repairs or renovations that disturb lead-based paint (such as sanding, cutting and demolishing) in homes, schools and child-care facilities constructed before 1978 are now subject to new EPA regulations mandating certain “lead-safe practices.”
Mechanic's Lien Case Law Update
The Minnesota Court of Appeals recently decided two matters with implications on mechanic’s lien foreclosure procedures. The first case involves lien apportionment. In this matter, a lienholder filed a blanket mechanic’s lien on a 41-acre residential development, but then sought to foreclose its entire lien against only three of the lots in the development.
Law Governing Construction Defects Sees Changes
Rob Stefonowicz reviews the Minnesota Legislature's response to the Camacho Decision and the newly established mandatory resolution process for construction defect lawsuits, known as Notice and Opportunity to Repair (NOR).
Eminent Domain Verdict Featured in National Publication
The verdict in a recent case between a Rochester real estate developer and the state of Minnesota was featured in the National Jury Verdict Review & Analysis. Larkin Hoffman attorneys Gary Van Cleve and Rob Stefonowicz represented the developer who received a $7.845 million jury award. Click here to view the article.
Stefonowicz Elected Vice Chair of Eminent Domain Section of HCBA
Rob A. Stefonowicz was elected Vice-Chair of the Eminent Domain Section of the Hennepin County Bar Association.
Mechanic's Lien Case Verdict Reached
A Rochester housing developer represented by Gary Van Cleve and Rob Stefonowicz won a multimillion-dollar jury verdict in a year-long eminent domain dispute with the state of Minnesota.
Should You Appeal Your Property Tax Assessment?
Commonly asked questions and answers in deciding if your property as been accurately assessed and what options can be pursued if you feel your property tax is too high.
Stefonowicz Family Featured in Alumni Magazine
Larkin Hoffman attorney Rob Stefonowicz and his spouse, Jody were featured by the athletics alumni publication serving North Dakota State University for their dedication and support of NDSU athletics.
Larkin Hoffman Elects Three New Shareholders
Larkin Hoffman is proud to announce the election of Ryan N. Boe, Joani C. Moberg, and Rob A. Stefonowicz as shareholders.
Larkin Hoffman Client Prevails in Long Fought Takings Case, Noted by National Association of Home Builders
Larkin Hoffman client and Legal Action Network for Development Strategies member, Frank Kottschade, obtained new life in his unconstitutional takings lawsuit against the City of Rochester as a result of a Minnesota Court of Appeals decision reversing a lower court dismissal of Kottschade’s lawsuit against the City because the lower court concluded that Kottschade had waited too long to sue. Kottschade v. City of Rochester, App. Ct. No. A08-0143 (Minn. App. Feb. 10, 2009).
Eight Larkin Hoffman Attorneys Selected as 2009 Rising Stars
Eight Larkin Hoffman attorneys named to the Minnesota Law & Politics Rising Stars® list.
Larkin Hoffman Win Saves Land Developer $1M in Taxes
In a recent case in Olmsted County, the district court ruled that a city over-assessed the value of undeveloped land by more than $1 million when it levied over $1.7 million in special assessments against the land. Larkin Hoffman was able to save the client more than $1 million in taxes.
Larkin Hoffman Attorneys Named as 2008 Minnesota Law & Politics Rising Stars
Nine Larkin Hoffman attorneys have been named to the 2008 Rising Stars list published by Minnesota Law & Politics magazine.
Larkin Hoffman Attorneys Named 2007 Rising Stars
Larkin Hoffman congratulates six 2007 Rising Stars.
Larkin Hoffman Attorneys Named 2006 Rising Stars
Nine Larkin Hoffman attorneys named 2006 "Rising Stars" by Minnesota Law & Politics magazine.
Larkin Hoffman Real Estate Attorneys Present at MREE Event
Gary Van Cleve, Rob Stefonowicz and Mike Mergens discuss property tax and special assessment appeals at the Minnesota Real Estate Exchangors (MREE) networking event.
Real Estate Litigation Seminar Series
Larkin Hoffman presents a seminar series for property owners, business owners and real estate professionals on issues in real estate litigation.
