John’s practice involves complex commercial litigation, with a focus on complex commercial contract disputes and business torts, including disputes involving trade secrets, restrictive covenants, fraud, insurance, and class action defense. John is experienced all phases of litigation, from pre-suit investigation through trial and appeal. He has tried cases in federal and state courts and before arbitration tribunals.
John also defends and counsels clients on consumer-related litigation, regulatory investigations and compliance issues involving statutory privacy claims, including those brought under the Telephone Consumer Protection Act.
Before joining Benesch, John served as an extern to Judge Dan Polster of the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Ohio and to Judge Timothy McCormack of Ohio’s Eighth District Court of Appeals. John also worked as a research assistant for Professors Lewis Katz and Jonathan Adler.
Representative Experience
- Successfully defended major financial institution in arbitration against eight-figure breach of contract claims. Acted as second-chair during arbitration hearing.
- Won jury trial in state court defending against claims for breach of contract and misappropriation of trade secrets, obtained verdict on counterclaim finding that plaintiff made its trade secret claims in bad faith.
- Won jury trial (second chair) in federal court on behalf of corporation, obtaining seven-figure damages award and an award of attorneys’ fees rising from claims for tortious interference with business relationship, defamation, and violations of the Ohio Deceptive Trade Practices Act. Decision affirmed on appeal.
- Defended one of the nation’s largest home improvement companies in putative nationwide class action alleging a latent defect in the company’s product.
- Obtained summary judgment on behalf of defendant in putative class action brought under the Telephone Consumer Protection Act.
- Represented a global transport and logistics company in warehouse dispute. Successfully defended the company’s assertion of a warehouseman’s lien against an application for writ of possession, leading to favorable settlement shortly thereafter.
- Represented product manufacturer in suit alleging personal injury and wrongful death in connection with fatal structural accident. Assisted substantially with preparation of all pleadings, written discovery, depositions, and expert witnesses.
- Successfully obtained dismissal of Telephone Consumer Protection Act claim after oral argument on motion to dismiss.
- Successfully defended dental provider in multiple small claims trials alleging a variety of negligence claims.
