John is a seasoned litigator with the firm’s commercial litigation and alternative dispute resolution groups in Las Vegas and Reno, Nevada. As former associate general counsel for an international Fortune 500 company he has a deep understanding of what in-house counsel and commercial clients need and expect of their outside litigators: practical business forward advice and efficient, aggressive, and effective litigation strategies.
John’s practice ranges from litigating simple and complex cases in various courts and arbitration tribunals across the nation to counseling the c-suite on how to best avoid litigation. His recent caseload is concentrated on E & O and professional liability matters, real estate disputes, business dissolutions, trade secret theft, contracts for the sale of goods and commercial guaranty matters.
Historically, John defended targets of shareholder derivative claims and manufacturers in multi-district products liability cases. He holds an AV Preeminent® Peer Review Rating from Martindale-Hubbell®. John is also named in The Best Lawyers in America®, Commercial Litigation (2018-2024).
John’s years of in-the-the trenches litigation experience also prompts business litigants and their lawyers to select him to serve as the arbitrator over their disputes. He enjoys that occasional role and serves on the American Arbitration Association's (AAA) Commercial Arbitration Panel. John also enjoys teaching future lawyers and sharing his knowledge as an adjunct professor at the William S. Boyd School of Law in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Represented a major urban teacher’s union at the district and state supreme court in its bid to secede from the largest U.S. national teacher’s union in a case of first impression in Nevada.
Represented a gaming software manufacturer in a complex California based trade secret case involving gaming software and allegations of joint ownership of proprietary intellectual property, fraud, and misappropriation of funds by a former C-Suite executive.
Represented a multi-national timeshare company against consumer breach of contract and fraud claims in multiple arbitrations seated across the United States.
Defense of multinational hospitality company against class-action consumer claims filed in U.S. District court on basis of various arbitration and venue agreements.
Represented a semiconductor manufacturer in a semiconductor supply-chain disruption dispute involving multiple parties and multiple contracts. Mediated utilizing both commercial and legal mediators.
Represented national lender against both federal and state lender-liability claims of undue delay in funding during Covid-19 pandemic brought by large developer in U.S. district court arising from a large multi-stage, multi-unit housing development.
Multiple representations of commercial landlords and tenants involving breach of commercial lease contracts and re-negotiation of commercial leases involving force majeure and impracticability.
Defense of large union in a certified class action arising out of allegations of undue delay in administering medical claims from members of captive health trust administering those claims.
King's College, London, LLM International Corporate & Commercial Law
Chicago-Kent College of Law, JD
Vassar College, AB
Clark County Bar Association, Board of Governors (2003-2006)
"Practical Considerations in Arbitration in the Post-Covid, Post-Brexit and Post- Ruling 28 USC §1782 World," Panelist, Lex Mundi 2022 Litigation, Arbitration and Dispute Resolution North America Practice Group Meeting (September 30, 2022)
“Foreclosure: Do you Know the Latest Changes?,” Presenter, National Webinar, National Business Institute (August 2016)
"Piercing the Corporate Veil & Alter Ego Liability CLE," Presenter, National Telephonic Seminar, The Rossdale Group (February 2016)
"Veil Piercing/Alter Ego Doctrine: How an Entity's Veil can be Pierced and Similar Equitable Remedies Available to Creditors," Presenter, Piercing the LLC or Corporate Veil: Start to Finish, National Business Institute, Las Vegas, Nevada (December 7, 2015)
"Representing Your Client in Federal Court: Recent ABA Opinions, Conflicts of Interest, Appropriate Client Communications, Confidentiality and Metadata," Presenter, National Business Institute, Las Vegas, Nevada (November 2014)
"Representing Your Client in Federal Court: Recent ABA Opinions, Conflicts of Interest, Appropriate Client Communications, Confidentiality and Metadata," Presenter, National Business Institute, Las Vegas, Nevada (November 15, 2013)
"Delaware Forum Decision Good for Companies and Shareholders, Too," Today’s General Counsel (October/November 2013)
"Discovery in a World With Electronic Discovery: Cases at the Intersection of Electronic Discovery and Various Public Records Acts," Law Seminars International, Las Vegas, Nevada (October 9, 2013)
"What’s the Deal with Deal Litigation in Nevada?" Presenter, Las Vegas Chapter, Association of Corporate Counsel (2012)
"Avoiding the Deadly Sins of E-Discovery," Presenter and Co-Host, Nevada State Bar CLE (April 7, 2011)
"It's a Slow, Painful Cure for Las Vegas' Commercial Real Estate Market," Author, In Business Las Vegas (October 22, 2010)
"The Enforcement of Gambling Debt - A Brief Overview," Lecturer, University of Nevada, Boyd School of Law (2008, 2009, 2010)
"Legal Strategies for a 'Down' Real Estate Market: Failed Real Estate Projects, Supply Chain Disruption and Breached Commercial Leases," Presenter, Las Vegas Chapter, Association of Corporate Counsel (2009)
"SOX, The ABA Model Rules & the Nevada Rules of Professional Conduct: Legal and Ethical Duties of Nevada Lawyers," Presenter, Las Vegas Chapter, Association of Corporate Counsel (2007)
"How to Hire & Fire," Author, Nevada Chapter, Multilaw & Kluwer, London (2005)
"New Standards for Professionals Under Sarbanes-Oxley," Presenter, National Hospitality Law Conference, Hilton School of Hotel Management, University of Houston (2004)
Reported Cases
George L. Brown Insurance Agency v. Star Insurance Company, 237 P.2d 92 (Nev. Sup. Ct. 2010)
Anvui, LLC, A Nevada Limited Liability Company v. G.L., LLC, A Nevada Limited Liability Company, Supreme Court of the State Nevada (July 26, 2007)
Palace REIT v. Betty Engelstad, United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit (April 14, 2005)
Sandie Knutson and Dennis Knutson v. Allis-Chalmers, United States District Court for the District of Nevada (February 23, 2005)
Antonio Badillo, et al., v. The American Tobacco Company, United States District Court for the District of Nevada (June 29, 2001)
Sabine Young v. County of Clark, United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit (September 24, 1998)
Ciaffone v. Eighth Judicial District Court of State of Nevada, Supreme Court of Nevada (October 1, 1997)
Michael J. Padgett v. William O'Sullivan, et al., United States Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit (September 15, 1995)
AV Preeminent® Peer Review Rating from Martindale-Hubbell® (2024)
The Best Lawyers in America®, Commercial Litigation (2018-2024)
Mountain States Super Lawyers®, Business Litigation (2012-2020)
Legal Elite - Top Southern Nevada Attorneys, Nevada Business Magazine (2019)
Benchmark Litigation, Future Star – Nevada (2017-2018)
University of Nevada-Las Vegas, William S. Boyd School of Law, Adjunct Professor (2023-Present)
Columbia County Historical Society of New York
President, Board of Trustees (2023-Present)
Las Vegas Global Economic Alliance
Chairman, Board of Directors (2016-2018)
Big Brothers Big Sisters of Southern Nevada
Chairman, Board of Directors (2016-2018)
The Justice Michael L. Douglas PreLaw Fellowship Program
Advisory Board (2019-2023)
Be Engaged Business and Education Partnership
Clark County School District Mentor (2017)
Lake Las Vegas Rowing Club
Founding Member and Secretary (2016-2018)
The Salvation Army
Executive Committee, Advisory Board, Las Vegas (2001-2010, 2015-2017)
50 Hour Club, Legal Aid Center of Southern Nevada (2015)
Honor Roll, Legal Aid Center of Southern Nevada (2014, 2018)
Beverly Green Neighborhood Association
President (2001-2003)
Park Place Entertainment Corporation, Associate General Counsel