Education
University of Michigan Law School
Ann Arbor, Michigan
J.D., 1972
University of Michigan
Ann Arbor, Michigan
B.A., 1969
Bar Admissions
Florida
Illinois
Indiana
Michigan
Minnesota
Wisconsin
Court Admissions
All Michigan state courts
United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit
United States Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit
United States Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit
United States Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit
United States Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit
United States Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit
United States Court of Federal Claims
United States District Court for the Middle District of Florida
United States District Court for the Northern District of Florida
United States District Court for the Southern District of Florida
United States District Court for the Central District of Illinois
United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois
United States District Court for the Southern District of Illinois
United States District Court for the Northern District of Indiana
United States District Court for the Southern District of Indiana
United States District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan
United States District Court for the Western District of Michigan
United States District Court for the Central District of Illinois
United States District Court for Minnesota
United States District Court for the Eastern District of Wisconsin
United States District Court for the Western District of Wisconsin
United States Supreme Court
United States Tax Court
Business Litigation Attorney
John has over 40 years of experience, focuses his practice on business and commercial litigation, and is a certified civil trial advocate by the National Board of Trial Advocacy. He is admitted to the AAA International Centre for Dispute Resolution. In addition, John has written and co-written dozens of articles and books, and he is a frequent speaker to business and law groups. On a regular basis, he teaches courses in law and trial practice to other lawyers, often serving as an expert witness.
The Best Lawyers in America® has named John the Kalamazoo “Lawyer of the Year” for Trust and Estate Litigation in the 2021 guide. It has also recognized John as one of The Best Lawyers in America® in Family Law, Legal Malpractice Law – Defendants, Litigation – Antitrust and Litigation – Banking and Finance.
John is a rules official for the USGA and PGA, and an honorary member of the Michigan PGA.
Honors and Recognitions
Best Lawyers in America®, Family Law, Legal Malpractice Law – Defendents, Litigation – Banking and Finance, Litigation – Trusts and Estates, since 2005
Best Lawyers in America®, Lawyer of the Year, Litigation – Trusts and Estates, Kalamazoo, 2021
Leading Lawyers: ADR Law – Commercial Litigation; Commercial Litigation
Martindale-Hubbell® AV Preeminent™ Peer Review Rated
Michigan Lawyers Weekly, Leader in the Law, 2012
Michigan Super Lawyers® since 2011
Michigan Super Lawyers®, Top 50 Consumer Super Lawyers, 2017
Michigan Super Lawyers®, Top 100, 2011, 2016, 2018
Professional Affiliations
American Arbitration Association, certified arbitrator
American Bar Association – Tort Trial and Insurance Practice Section, Standing Committee on Ethics and Professionalism
American Bar Association: Ethics 2000 Advisory Committee; Commission on Lawyers Assistance Programs; Revenue Enhancement Committee; Ethics and Professionalism Committee
American Board of Trial Advocates
National Board of Trial Advocacy, certified civil trial advocate
State Bar of Michigan Professionalism and Civility Committee
State Bar of Michigan: Ethics Committee, past chair
Community Involvement
Golf Association of Michigan, Board
Michigan High School Athletic Association, golf rules official
Presentations
ICLE Ethics Update Seminar, chair and presenter, Evergreen Retainers; moderator, Professionalism, 2019