About Coley John
Coley John Grostyan built a path into law from an unexpected starting point. He earned a Bachelor of Science in hydrology from the University of Minnesota – Twin Cities in 2004, then shifted to legal studies. He began law school in 2006 and received his J.D. from William Mitchell College of Law in 2009.
Early in his career Grostyan established himself in courts across Minnesota and at the federal appellate level. He is admitted to practice in Minnesota and to the bar of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit and the Federal Circuit. Those admissions have allowed him to handle matters that move beyond trial courts and into appellate review.
Grostyan’s professional affiliations reflect sustained work in criminal defense and the broader legal community. He holds memberships in the Minnesota Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers (member since 2022), the Minnesota State Bar Association, the Hennepin County Bar Association, the Ramsey County Bar Association, and the American Bar Association. He participates in local bar activities and maintains relationships with peers across the state.
He launched the Law Office of Coley J. Grostyan, PLLC to serve individuals facing criminal charges and to handle complex appellate matters. The practice handles a range of criminal defense work, including trial representation and appeals. Grostyan has worked on cases at both trial and appellate levels, bringing cases through state and federal procedures as needed.
Colleagues describe Grostyan as deliberate in his courtroom approach and exacting in legal research. He spends time drafting briefs and preparing arguments for hearings and appeals. That preparation often intersects with technical evidence and procedural issues that can affect case outcomes. His background in a scientific discipline like hydrology contributes to an ability to parse technical material and present it plainly to judges and juries.
Outside courtrooms he remains active in bar associations and professional groups. He attends continuing legal education, engages in local legal events, and keeps current on changes in criminal law and appellate procedure. He balances litigation demands with the administrative work of running a small firm.
He currently operates the Law Office of Coley J. Grostyan, PLLC, where his practice includes criminal defense and federal appellate work.
