John Ristad

John Ristad is an Adjunct Professor at the University of St. Thomas School of Law and currently serves as the Civil Division Head at the Washington County Attorney's Office. His role involves advising county departments on legal, political, and practical matters. He co-founded the Financial Fraud Unit, focusing on complex financial crime cases, including multi-billion-dollar false lien schemes and identity theft involving Social Security data. Though not teaching in Summer or Fall 2025, he has been involved in mentorship programs like the Mentor Externship Program.

• Address: 1000 LaSalle Avenue, Minneapolis, MN 55403

His expertise spans civil litigation, financial fraud prosecution, and ethical leadership in public service. The Financial Fraud Unit’s casework highlights his specialization in high-stakes financial crimes with societal impact.