Best & Flanagan is pleased to announce the rankings of Dan Nelson, Tim Sullivan, Justin Short, and our Construction Law practice group in the Chambers USA Guide 2026.
For the first time, Dan Nelson is recognized as a Band 1 attorney in Minnesota for his Public Finance practice. His expertise in tax-exempt municipal bonds and his representation of municipal securities underwriters and 501(c)(3) organizations highlights his significant impact in this area. Since 2007, Dan has been at the forefront of the newly-expanding field of tax-exempt Public Private Partnerships, utilizing non-profit conduit financings. Under this innovative financing structure, he has acted as counsel for a 501(c)(3) charitable organization which serves as the borrower for the long-term, tax-exempt financings to assist cities, counties, schools and other non-profit organizations in providing public facilities without incurring their own debt. Dan has completed public non-profit conduit financings in Minnesota, Michigan, Florida, Texas, California, and Indiana, including rated transactions.
Best & Flanagan’s Construction Law practice group is ranked again in Minnesota as a Band 3 department. Our team is recognized for its experience representing a wide range of clients in construction disputes and acting for contractors and subcontractors on bridge and highway projects.
Individually, Tim Sullivan is recognized in Minnesota as a Band 3 attorney for his Construction Law practice for the eighteenth consecutive year. He is noted in the market for his broad litigation practice representing commercial and industrial contractors, owners and subcontractors in high-value construction disputes.
For the first time, Justin Short is also recognized as a Band 3 attorney in Minnesota for his Construction Law practice. In addition to that ranking, he is again recognized in Minnesota as a Band 1 Construction Mediator for the second consecutive year. His adeptness in managing civil and commercial litigation, particularly related to construction defects, is highly regarded. Clients praise Justin for being an “impressive litigator,” noting his reasonableness and responsiveness.
As a result of client and peer interviews and recent case assessments, individual lawyers are ranked in their practice areas on the basis of their legal knowledge and experience, ability, effectiveness and their client service. Law firms and departments are ranked on the basis of expertise and experience, client service and responsiveness, commercial vision and business understanding, diligence and effectiveness, and the strength and depth of the practice group as a whole. Law firms and individual lawyers are ranked in bands from 1 (highest) to 7, and being ranked in any band is a significant achievement.
To view Best & Flanagan’s full Chambers USA rankings, please visit: Chambers USA Guide 2026
