John J. Erhart

John works primarily with closely held and family-owned businesses on business planning and taxation, including their formation, acquisition, merger, sale and transition. His emphasis is federal, state and international income taxation.

John is also recognized as an expert in tax issues related to workouts and reorganizations. He is a frequent lecturer for various groups, including the Minnesota State Bar Association and Minnesota Society of Certified Public Accountants.

John is an officer and shareholder at Fredrikson and also chair of the firm’s Business & Tax-Planning Group.

Education

• Georgetown University Law Center, J.D., 1977
• St. John’s University, B.A., Economics and Accounting, 1974, summa cum laude

Admissions

• Minnesota, 1977
• U.S. District Court for the District of Minnesota, 1977
• U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit, 1978
• U.S. Tax Court, 1980

Clerkships

• Judicial Clerk, Honorable Gerald W. Heaney, U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit, 1977-79
• Internship, Offices of Congressman James L. Oberstar
• Internship, The Securities and Exchange Commission

• Best Lawyers in America, Tax Law, 1999-2025; Business Organizations (including LLCs and Partnerships), 2024-2025
• North Star Lawyer, Minnesota State Bar Association, 2012-2015, 2017-2023
• Pro Bono All Star, Minnesota State Bar Association, 2020
• Lawyer of the Year in Minneapolis for Tax Law, Best Lawyers, 2014

Professional Activities

• American Bar Association
• Minnesota State Bar Association
• Fredrikson & Byron, P.A., Board of Directors, Treasurer
• The Tax Lawyer, Member and Editor, 1975-1977