Jesse Mondry, Partner

Jesse Mondry

Jesse is a key member of Harris Sliwoski’s Dispute Resolution / Litigation practice group. He has an extensive domestic and international litigation background and has represented clients from a wide range of industries in high stakes disputes. Jesse represents numerous clients in the cannabis industry and he regularly writes on litigation issues involving hemp and CBD. In every dispute, it is Jesse’s goal to find the best and most cost-effective solution for his clients. His analytical mind, excellent writing skills, and steady presence allow him to find unique solutions to complicated domestic and international disputes.

Jesse graduated magna cum laude from the University of Minnesota Law School. After law school, Jesse clerked for the Hon. Thomas J. Kalitowski of the Minnesota Court of Appeals and then held a highly competitive federal appellate clerkship with the Hon. Myron H. Bright of the Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals. Before joining Harris Sliwoski, Jesse spent several years litigating complex commercial disputes in state and federal courts across the country at a large firm in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Jesse served as a Board Member of the Bar Association for the Eighth Circuit and authored a chapter of the Eighth Circuit Appellate Practice Manual. In 2012, Jesse co-taught the newly formed Insurance Law Clinic at the University of Minnesota Law School.

In his spare time, Jesse likes to cook, sail, and spend time with his family.

More About Jesse

Attorney Insights on the Cannabis Industry 2024: Ask Us Anything, Harris Sliwoski, January 10, 2024.

Cannabis Litigation Trends, 2023 NORML Denver Legal Seminar, June 9th, 2023.

Cannabis Litigation in a Down Market, Harris Sliwoski webinar, May 16, 2021.

Cannabis Litigation: Trends, Harris Sliwoski webinar, August 5, 2020.

Ketamine, Psilocybin and New Drug Therapies, Harris Sliwoski webinar, July 9, 2020.

Finding the Right Partners, Hemp Virtual Conference, June 23, 2020.

The Law Side: Know Before You Grow, Farm Journal Hemp College, November 13, 2019.

What Does Rep. Mace’s States Reform Act Have to Do With Hemp?, Hemp Grower, November 24, 2021.

California Moves to Legalize CBD in Products While Banning Smokable Hemp, Hemp Grower, January 15, 2021.

USDA Reopens Hemp Comment Period, WeedWeek, September 14, 2020.

False and Misleading: Suit Claims Select Vapes Contain Less THC Than Labelled, WeedWeek, July 31, 2020.

Class action suits rise against CBD companies, experts stress forthright disclosures, Hemp Business Daily, June 18, 2020.

As marijuana class action lawsuits surge, experts stress accurate, forthright disclosures, Marijuana Business Daily, June 10, 2020.

Hemp Lawsuits Rising: A Recent Suit’s Allegations ‘Are Disturbing for Growers’, Hemp Grower, May 21, 2020.

Why the 0.3% THC limit for U.S. hemp might stop you from starting a CBD business, The Rise, April 17, 2020.

Devil in the Details: Hemp Contracts Crucial as Litigation Jumps, AgWeb, November 4, 2019.

Dope Operation Sparks Winery Lawsuit, Wine-Searcher, September 7, 2019.

Hemp Pitfalls and Promise: Alarm Sounded by Midwest Grower, AgWeb, September 5, 2019.

Federal appeals court to DEA: Reconsider marijuana’s Schedule 1 status, Marijuana Business Daily, June 3, 2019.

Oregon hemp production laws may offer lessons for farmers, Hemp Industry Daily, May 29, 2019.

Regular contributor to the award-winning China Law Blog and the award-winning Canna Law Blog.

Cannabis Candy Co. Suit Spotlights Alter Ego Liability Theory, Law360, August 30, 2022.

Hemp’s Odor Problem, Hemp Grower, November 9, 2021.

What’s Happening in the Smokable Hemp Market?, Hemp Grower, January 22, 2021.

Medal for Excellence in Oral Advocacy, American College of Trial Lawyers

Best Respondent’s Brief, National Moot Court Competition

Law School Legal Writing Honors and Best Brief

Won complete defense verdict following a 10-day jury trial in an $8 million dispute, arising from the purported merger of 26 CA and OR cannabis companies.

Won complete summary judgment on behalf defendant-seller in dispute arising from the sale of licensed Oregon dispensary.

Represented plaintiff sovereign nation in dispute with Chinese construction company and obtained a settlement of more than $30 million on behalf of client prior to filing suit.

Successfully defended a financial institution in $40 million litigation involving business tort allegations, in pari delicto defenses, and issues arising under the Bank Secrecy Act of 1970 and Annunzio-Wylie Anti-Money Laundering Act of 1992.

Successfully represented commercial real estate developer in a $39 million purchase agreement dispute concerning real property located in San Jose, California.

Represented plaintiff-seller of Oregon dispensary in a $4 million lawsuit against defendant-purchaser that favorably settled shortly after filing the complaint.

Represented defendant cannabis producer in complex multi-party litigation arising out of a failed business venture.

Obtained favorable resolutions on behalf of numerous OLCC licensees in administrative proceedings.

Represented Chinese manufacturer-plaintiff in lawsuit against purchaser-defendant venued in S.D.N.Y. that resulted in the defendant stipulating to complete liability and a judgment of over $1.2 million.

Represented interior design firm in dispute with general contractor located in Atlanta, Georgia that settled prior to mediation.

Provided federal appellate representation to a second-level excess insurer in a coverage dispute with insured and achieved reversal of a $6 million summary judgment against the insurer.

Part of trial team that obtained a complete defense verdict in a $7 million state-court breach of contract case.

Represented the plaintiff in defendant’s appeal from a jury trial in which the Minnesota Court of Appeals’ affirmed a $10 million stray voltage verdict—the largest such verdict in Minnesota history.

Won summary judgment on behalf of a real estate developer on a claim that a regional planning board’s land use decision was arbitrary and capricious.

Obtained favorable settlement for indenture trustee in dispute with a court-appointed Receiver arising from an alleged Ponzi scheme perpetrated by the note issuer.

Obtained independent counsel and reimbursement for a construction company client in a coverage dispute with its primary insurer.

Represented a Chinese national in arbitration against prior employer, a Silicon Valley high tech company, that settled for more than $250,000.

Drafted amicus curiae brief on behalf of railroad in a mineral rights dispute before the Supreme Court of North Dakota.

  • University of Minnesota Law School (J.D.)
  • University of North Dakota (B.A. in Philosophy)
  • Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals
  • District of Colorado
  • District of Minnesota
  • District of North Dakota
  • Oregon