With over 50 years of experience practicing law, John has worked with clients exposed to asbestos in a wide range of settings, including shipyards, construction sites, and other job sites across the country.

As part of filing a mesothelioma lawsuit, he works to pinpoint exactly where and how a client was exposed to asbestos, then traces the specific products involved back to the companies that manufactured or sold them.

From there, he pursues legal action to help families recover compensation from settlements or verdicts that can help pay for medical bills, lost wages, and more.

He has represented clients affected by: 

John's work has taken him well beyond the courtroom. He wrote an amicus brief filed with the U.S. Supreme Court on behalf of the Association of Trial Lawyers of America in Celotex Corp. v. Edwards, advocating for the rights of asbestos victims at the highest level of the American legal system.

He has published numerous articles on occupational disease litigation in legal journals such as Trial Talk and been invited to speak on asbestos-related illnesses at medical conferences and legal seminars across the country.

Background & Education

John received his Bachelor of Arts from the University of Colorado. He later attended the University of Colorado Law School and earned a Master of Laws (LL.M.) from Columbia Law School.

His training also includes the Trial Lawyers College, a program focused on courtroom storytelling and persuasion techniques to help lawyers connect with juries on a human level, rather than relying on technical arguments. He continues to serve on staff for the college today.

John is a founding member of Trial Lawyers for Public Justice, a national organization of trial attorneys dedicated to representing people in cases involving broad issues of justice and fairness, often taking on corporations and institutions with far greater resources than an individual plaintiff.

He is also a member of the International Society of Barristers, an invitation-only association that recognizes attorneys with demonstrated excellence as trial lawyers.

Awards & Recognition

  • The Best Lawyers in America®
    • Personal Injury Litigation – Plaintiffs, 2011–2027
    • Product Liability Litigation – Plaintiffs, 2011–2027
  • Thomson Reuters, Illinois Super Lawyers® — 2006–2012
  • Martindale-Hubbell AV® Preeminent™ rating

Bar & Court Admissions

  • Colorado, 1973
  • U.S. District Court, District of Colorado, 1973
  • Tenth U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, 1973
  • United States Supreme Court, 1994
  • Washington, 2006

Education

  • University of Colorado, B.A., 1969
  • University of Colorado Law School, J.D., 1972
  • Columbia University, L.L.M., 1973
  • Trial Lawyers College, 1999

Affiliations

  • Colorado Trial Lawyers Association
  • The Association of Trial Lawyers of America
  • Trial Lawyers for Public Justice
  • International Society of Barristers
  • American Public Health Association
  • New York Academy of Sciences
  • Trial Lawyers College, Staff