Practice Area(s)

Education
  • Golden Gate University, (M.S., Taxation, 1991)
  • University of Notre Dame, (J.D., 1978)
  • Seattle University, (B.A., summa cum laude, 1974)

 

Admitted to Practice
  • Washington
  • U.S. District Courts for Western and Eastern Districts of Washington
  • U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California
  • U.S. District Court for the Western District of Louisiana
  • Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals
  • U.S. Tax Court

 

John practices in the firm’s Banking Services, Creditors’ Rights & Bankruptcy and Employment, Benefits & Labor Groups, and he has a strong transportation law practice. He frequently serves as an arbitrator on the Commercial Panel of the American Arbitration Association.

Recently John served on a panel of arbitrators in a $147 million commercial arbitration case. He has served as lead counsel for a trucking company in settling a wage-and-hour class action involving more than 150 owner-operators who alleged that they were employees.

John’s past experience includes obtaining a several- million dollar federal RICO civil judgment on behalf of a national client. He was also lead counsel in obtaining $2.9 million antitrust judgment in favor of a rural electric cooperative against Washington's largest electric utility.

Honors and Awards
Professional and Community Activities
  • Vice President, Puget Sound Chapter of Risk Management Association (2011-2012)
  • President, King County Bar Association (2006-2007)
  • Washington State Bar Association Special Disciplinary Counsel (2001-present)
  • Treasurer, American Judicature Society, Washington Chapter (2000-2004)
  • Member, Transportation Lawyers Association (Executive Committee Member, 1998-2000)
  • Founding President (1986 - 1988) and Board Member (1986 - present), King County Dispute Resolution Center
  • Member, Conference of Freight Counsel
  • Member, Association for Transportation Law, Logistics and Policy
  • Member, Washington State Bar Association
  • Member, Federal Bar Association, Western District of Washington
Selected Publications and Speaking Engagements
  • Author, "Enforcing Commercial Guaranties In and Out of Bankruptcy Court," Risk Management Association, 2011
  • Chair and Speaker, "Avoiding Mistakes and Traps in Bankruptcy Court," Puget Sound Chapter of the Risk Management Association Conference, 2011
  • Author, "10 Commandments for Avoiding Lender Liability," Risk Management Association, 2010
  • Chair and Speaker, "Commercial Loan Workouts: Tools and Strategies for Lenders," Puget Sound Chapter of the Risk Management Association Conference, 2010
  • Speaker, "Sorting Out Conflicts of Laws Issues in Class Actions,” Transportation Lawyers Association Annual Conference, 2009
  • Author, "Flood of Money Endangers Perception of Judges’ Impartiality," Washington State Bar News, 2008
  • Speaker, "Case Initiation and Service of Process in the United States District Courts," Washington State Bar Association Continuing Legal Education Seminar, 2001
  • Author, "Enforcing Mechanics' Materialmen's and Laborers' Liens," Washington Lawyers Practice Manual, 1988-2005
Background

A competitive rower and sculler during college and for several years after law school, today John is an avid bicyclist. He is attracted to the challenge of cycling up mountain roads just as much as he loves the challenge of preparing and trying cases for his clients.