In 27 years of representing injured and seriously harmed plaintiffs, John has achieved outstanding results for hundreds of clients, whether by jury verdict at trial, arbitration, mediation or negotiated settlement.
A third-generation trial lawyer, John has tried and won cases in jurisdictions across the country. John presents continuing legal education (CLE) seminars on trial advocacy for members of the California Bar and trial lawyer organizations in the San Francisco Bay area.
John has been a member of the Board of Directors of the San Francisco Trial Lawyers Association, past President of the Consumer Attorneys of Marin and a past member of the Executive Committee of the Consumer Attorneys of California —all organizations dedicated to the advancement and protection of consumer safety, civil rights, and the rule of law. John’s service in such organizations and his focus on effective trial advocacy are designed to achieve one thing—the best possible result for each client in each case.
Washington University School of Law
St. Louis, Missouri, J.D., 1995
Academic Distinction – Milton F. Napier Award for Outstanding Achievement in Trial Advocacy
Arizona State University
Tempe, Arizona, B.A., Political Science, 1991
- California, 2000
- District of Columbia, 1998
- Colorado, 1997
- Missouri, 1995
- Supreme Court of the United States, 2006
- U.S. 9th Circuit Court of Appeals, 2000
- U.S. 8th Circuit Court of Appeals, 1995
- U.S. District Court, Northern District of California, 2000
- U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Missouri, 1995
- Consumer Attorneys of California, Executive Committee, 2012-2015; Board of Directors, 2011-2015; Board of Governors, 2006-2010
- San Francisco Trial Lawyers’ Association, Board of Directors, 2011-2016
- Consumer Attorneys of Marin, President 2009, 2010
- Legal Aid of Marin, Board of Directors 2003-2011
- Bar Association of San Francisco, volunteer panelist/mediator, Early Settlement Program, 2008 – 2016
- Marin County Bar Association
- American Association for Justice
- Missouri Bar Association
- Missouri Association of Trial Attorneys, 1995-1999
- District of Columbia Bar Association
- Best Lawyers in America John has been selected by his peers for inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America© in the field of personal injury law each year from 2014-2022.
- Selected by California Super Lawyers magazine as a “Super Lawyer” in personal injury litigation each year from 2010-2022. Only 5% of the practicing attorneys in the state are selected annually.
- Peer Review Rated “AV Preeminent” 5.0 of 5.0
John has achieved the highest peer rating for Ethical Standards and Legal Ability by Martindale-Hubbell. For an explanation of this rating, click here. - American College of Trial Lawyers
Lewis F. Powell Medal for Excellence in Advocacy - The Lawyers’ Association of St. Louis
Award for Excellence in Trial Advocacy - State Bar of California
Wiley W. Manual Award for Pro Bono Legal Services
2002, 2003, 2004 & 2005
- Licensed Emergency Medical Technician (EMT)
- California, 2016-present, Marin County EMS
- National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians (NR-EMT), 2016
- Wilderness EMT certification, National Outdoor Leadership School (NOLS), 2016
- Missouri, 1995-2000
- Certified Diver Medic (DMT)
- National Board of Diving and Hyperbaric Medical Technology (NBDHMT) 2018-present
- Marin Medical Reserve Corps, 2018-present (Covid-19 response, vaccination clinics)
- Legal Aid of Marin, Board of Directors, 2003 – 2011
- Homeward Bound of Marin, homeless services organization, Board of Directors, 2001-2006
- University of California Berkeley School of Law, Coach of the school’s traveling mock trial team in the annual National Trial Competition, 2003-2007
- U.S. Naturalization Service Swearing-In Ceremony for New U.S. Citizens, Keynote Speaker, U.S. District Court, St. Louis, Missouri, 1998
- Legal Advocates for Abused Women (LAAW), Pro Bono Trial Attorney, 1997
- Volunteer EMT, ARCH Helicopter Med-Evac Service, Internship, St. Louis, Missouri 1996–1998
- Judge for the National Collegiate Mock Trial Championship & U.S. High School National Mock Trial Championship, 1995-present
- “Quest for Justice: One Lawyer’s Journey to Solve a Cold Murder Case and Honor a Civil Rights Pioneer” Article, The Trial Lawyer, Spring 2016, magazine of the San Francisco Trial Lawyers Association
- “Thoughts on Building the Firm You Really Want,” Article, The Trial Lawyer, Fall 2015, magazine of the San Francisco Trial Lawyers Association
- “Is It Ever Too Early to Mediate?” presentation as State Approved Continuing Legal Education (CLE) Instructor, Consumer Attorneys of California, San Francisco, California 2013
- “Preparing for Success in Mediation – a View from Inside” presentation as State Approved Continuing Legal Education (CLE) Instructor, San Francisco Trial Lawyers Association, Lake Tahoe, California 2013
- “Ethical Issues in Settlement and Mediation” presentation as State Approved Continuing Legal Education (CLE) Instructor, San Francisco Trial Lawyers Association, San Francisco, California 2013
- “Danielle’s Story—Trial Lawyers Never Know How They Might Touch a Life” Article, Plaintiff Magazine, March 2012. Click here for full article
- “Building Your Brand: How On Paper And In Person”. Presentation to young lawyers on importance of professionalism and ethics; Presentation as State Approved Continuing Legal Education (CLE) /Instructor, Berkeley Law/Boalt Advocates Alumni, San Francisco, California 2012
- “Best Practices: How to Build a Successful Law Firm” presentation as State Approved Continuing Legal Education (CLE) Instructor, The Recorder Roundtable Series, The Commonwealth Club of San Francisco, California 2011
- “Effective and Professional Advocacy: Advice from the Bench and Bar” presentation as State Approved Continuing Legal Education (CLE) Instructor, San Francisco Trial Lawyers Association, San Francisco, California, 2009
- “Plaintiff’s Practice for New Lawyers” Guest Lecturer at University of California Hastings School of Law, San Francisco, California 2009
- “The Importance of Mentoring” presentation as State Approved Continuing Legal Education (CLE) Instructor, Consumer Attorneys of California, Wailea, Hawaii, 2008
- “Ethical and Practical Issues in the Enforcement of Settlement Agreements” presentation as State Approved Continuing Legal Education (CLE) Instructor, San Francisco Trial Lawyers Association, San Francisco, California, 2008
- “Litigating Bike and Pedestrian Cases” presentation as State Approved Continuing Legal Education (CLE) Instructor, San Francisco Trial Lawyers Association, San Francisco, California, 2007
- “Preparing a Winning Opening Statement” presentation as State Approved Continuing Legal Education (CLE) Instructor, San Francisco, California, 2005
- “How to Craft a Direct Examination that Tells Your Client’s Story” presentation as State Approved Continuing Legal Education (CLE) Instructor, San Francisco, California, 2005
- “Essentials of Cross-Examination” presentation as State Approved Continuing Legal Education (CLE) Instructor, San Francisco, California, 2005
- “Jury Selection in an Era of Tort Reform” presentation as State Approved Continuing Legal Education (CLE) Instructor, San Francisco, California, 2005
- “Motions in Limine” presentation as State Approved Continuing Legal Education (CLE) Instructor, San Francisco, California, 2005
- “Closing Argument: the Finishing Touch” presentation as State Approved Continuing Legal Education (CLE) Instructor, San Francisco, California, 2005
- “Arguing Motions Effectively” Article, California Lawyer Magazine, October 2001
- “The Importance of Theme in Direct Examination” presentation as Faculty Member, Continuing Legal Education (CLE) Program, St. Louis, Missouri, May 2000
- “Effective Motion Practice” Article, Journal of the Bar Association of Metropolitan St. Louis, April 1998
- “History of Product Liability Law in America and the Legal Aspects of Safety in Mechanical Engineering” presentation, Washington University School of Mechanical Engineering, April 1997
