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Practice Areas

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® 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: 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

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