Attorneys / James C. Kovacs
James C. Kovacs
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Practice Groups
Appeals, Business & Commercial Litigation, Complex Litigation, Construction & Real Estate, Insurance Coverage, Torts & Products Liability
Biography
James Kovacs is a persuasive litigator focusing his practice in the areas of appellate law, construction, general liability, and insurance coverage.
James brings a practical approach to each case and is adept at thinking about issues from different perspectives. He represents clients in all litigation phases, from filing and answering complaints to arguing at the appellate courts. James provides each client with the same detail-oriented focus regardless of whether he is reviewing documents or first-chairing a trial. James has practical experience representing insurance carriers and insureds in various matters, including complex, multi-party, multi-issue litigation in Minnesota state and federal courts, Iowa, and Wisconsin. He has experience in all aspects of litigation, including preparing initial case evaluations, taking depositions, and researching, drafting, and arguing dispositive motions. In many cases, James has been lead counsel. He obtained a favorable verdict in a bench trial and successfully argued a case at the Minnesota Court of Appeals.
Prior to joining Bassford Remele, James served as a law clerk to the Honorable Krista K. Martin at Minnesota’s Tenth Judicial District. He graduated from the University of St. Thomas School of Law, where he was an Executive Board Member on the Journal of Law and Public Policy.
Education
- University of St. Thomas School of Law, J.D., 2015
- Dean’s Award
- Journal of Law and Public Policy, Executive Board Member and Director of Public Relations
- Winona State University, B.S., 2011
Bar Admissions
- U.S. Court of Appeals, Eighth Circuit
- U.S. District Court, District of Minnesota
- Minnesota
- Iowa
- Wisconsin
Judicial Clerkships
- Minnesota Tenth Judicial District, The Honorable Krista K. Martin, Judicial Law Clerk, 2015-2016
Representative Cases
U.S. Court of Appeals, Eighth Circuit
- Argued appeal and affirmed district court’s order denying motion for preliminary injunction to enjoin statutory cancelation of purchase agreement for real property. CEZ Prior, LLC v. 755 N Prior Ave, LLC, 126 F.4th 1353, 1356 (8th Cir. 2025).
Minnesota Court of Appeals
- Argued appeal and obtained reversal of township’s negative declaration on the need for an Environmental Awareness Worksheet. (2026).
- Argued appeal and affirmed entry of default judgment in favor of client in breach of contract and construction defect case. (2026).
- Argued appeal and obtained reversal of district court’s dismissal of client’s claims against electric cooperatives for failure to interconnect with qualifying solar facilities. (2026).
- Argued appeal and obtained reversal of district court’s priority determination of judgment against a receiver in foreclosure action. Wilmington Tr., Nat’l Ass’n v. 700 Hennepin Holdings, LLC, 34 N.W.3d 52 (Minn. Ct. App. 2026).
- Argued appeal and obtained reversal of district court’s grant of summary judgment against client in commercial construction defect case. (2025).
- Argued appeal and affirmed district court’s finding that client was entitled to ownership interest in business. (2025).
- Lead trial counsel and argued appeal affirming jury verdict and district court’s award of costs and disbursements. (2024).
- Argued appeal and obtained reversal of the municipality’s negative declaration on the need for an Environmental Impact Statement. (2024).
- Argued appeal and affirmed dismissal of claims against clients based on joint enterprise theory. (2019).
Publications
- Sustainability Trends in Minnesota Construction and Their Potential Legal Implications, author, Associated General Contractors of Minnesota, October 2024
- The Corporate Transparency Act Is On Appeal! How That Impacts Your Business Plans, co-author, Associated General Contractors of Minnesota, June 2024
- An Important Change to Minnesota’s Anti-Indemnity Statute and What It Means for Minnesota Construction Companies, co-author, Associated General Contractors of Minnesota, June 2023
Bar Associations
- Minnesota State Bar Association
- Appellate Practice
- Civil Litigation Section
- Construction Law Section
- Iowa State Bar Association
- State Bar of Wisconsin
- Hennepin County Bar Association
Professional Associations
- Minnesota Supreme Court Historical Society
- Minnesota Defense Lawyers Association
- Associated General Contractors of Minnesota
Honors & Awards
- Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch, Insurance Law and Personal Injury Litigation, 2025-2026; Appellate Practice, Commercial Litigation and Construction Litigation, 2026
