John has extensive experience in complex commercial litigation, including handling numerous trials, hearings and other matters before state and federal courts in the areas of contracts, business torts, trade secrets, real estate, securities, intellectual property, partnership and products. He has represented large multi-national clients, as well as regional and local businesses and individuals in a variety of business disputes.
In light of this diverse experience in litigating business issues, John has developed a practice in business counseling, aiding companies in overcoming challenges and leveraging opportunities to ultimately become more profitable and achieve business goals.
Representative Matters
Obtained a multimillion dollar securities fraud jury verdict involving the purchase of LLC interests holding real estate in Arizona and New Mexico.
Achieved a significant jury verdict on behalf of an investor against an accountant and his firm for professional malpractice.
Represented a large international hotel company in the successful pre-litigation negotiation of a multi-million dollar real estate contract dispute over a multi-acre resort property in Paradise Valley.
Defended one of Arizona’s largest utilities in a class action lawsuit filed in the U.S. District Court in New Mexico, achieving a complete dismissal of all claims.
Obtained efficient and favorable settlement on behalf of a large group of doctor investors in a significant commercial building transaction, after performing an exhaustive factual investigation and explaining the group’s legal claims through a detailed demand letter.
Achieved favorable settlement on behalf of a racetrack owner against local government officials after achieving favorable rulings from state appellate court on issues involving violations of due process in attempted revocation of racetrack owner’s use permit.
Received multimillion dollar arbitration award from a three-member panel on behalf of an Arizona water company against two large real estate developers.
Awards & Recognitions
Martindale-Hubbell with AV® Preeminent Peer Rated
Best Lawyers® in America for Commercial Litigation, Securities Litigation (2007 - present)
Best Lawyers® in America for Bet-the-Company Litigation (2009 – present)
Super Lawyers (Southwest) for Business Litigation (2007 – present)
Super Lawyers (Southwest) for Securities Litigation, Professional Liability: Defense (2011 – present)
Arizona’s Top 50 Lawyers by Super Lawyers (Southwest) (2011 – present)
Arizona’s Finest Lawyers (2011 – present)
AZ Business Magazine’s Arizona Business Leader for Business and Commercial
Litigation (2016)
AZ Business Magazine’s Top Lawyers (Corporate Law, 2015)
Fellow, Litigation Counsel of America
Arizona Foundation for Legal Services & Education: Top Pro Bono Attorneys in Arizona (2013)
Publications & Speeches
Presenter: Business Litigation in Arizona: From Prefiling Concerns Through Closing Arguments at Trial, Sterling Education Services, LLC
Presenter: Ethics of Changing Firms, Arizona State Bar Convention
Chair/Presenter: Trial and Transactional Ethics, Arizona State Bar
Chair/Presenter: Parting is Such Sweet Sorrow: Litigating Against Former Employees, Arizona State Bar
Chair: Environmental Litigation, Arizona State Bar
Chair: Innovative Trial Techniques, Arizona State Bar Convention
Chair: Proving and Calculating Lost Profits, Arizona State Bar
Administrative & Criminal Prosecution of Securities Fraud Cases, Maricopa County Bar Association