About M. John
M. John Riley completed a steady course of study before entering the practice of law. He earned a B.S. in Political Science from Minnesota State University, Mankato in 2003. He went on to receive his J.D. from Hamline University School of Law in 2006. Later, he added a Master of Public Administration from the University of Phoenix, conferred in 2011.
Riley’s career in law began in private practice. Early on he served as an associate lawyer at Hoglund Law starting in 2007. That role gave him daily exposure to client work and the rhythms of a law office. In 2014 he moved to Salvo, Deren, Schenck, Gross, Swain & Argotsinger, P.C., where he continued as an associate lawyer and took on increasingly complex matters. Those years in two different firms shaped his approach to case preparation and client communication.
In 2021 Riley became a general partner at Simpson Legal Group, LLC. The move into partnership marked a change from employee to firm leadership. As a general partner he handles administrative responsibilities in addition to his legal work. He brings the procedural knowledge from earlier associate roles into that leadership position.
Riley also has formal mediation training. He completed mediation instruction under Christine L. Crilley of Crilley Mediation Services. That training allows him to engage in facilitated negotiations and to serve in roles that aim to resolve disputes without trial. The mediation credential complements the practical lawyering skills he developed over more than a decade in practice.
His bar admission is to the state of Iowa. Over the years his practice has been anchored in that jurisdiction. Colleagues and clients describe him as steady and pragmatic in handling matters, preferring clear steps and measurable progress in each case. He has balanced client work with the organizational duties that come with being a partner at a small firm.
Outside of case work, Riley’s education in public administration informs how he organizes firm processes and client intake. It also shapes his view of how legal services fit into broader public and administrative systems. He remains involved in ongoing professional development and maintains connections to peers and mentors from his years in practice.
He is currently at Simpson Legal Group, LLC, where his practice centers on client representation and dispute resolution, including mediation work.
