“While some clients think they want a 'scorched earth' litigator, I have found what clients really want is someone who truly understands their legal problem and can help them navigate the quagmire of litigation. I am someone they can trust, depend on to stay calm under stressful conditions and work towards a resolution that is in their best interests."
John is a dedicated and thoughtful attorney who takes a personal interest in the needs of his clients to help them solve their legal problems. With over 30 years representing individuals, small businesses and large corporations, John works in partnership with his clients to develop effective litigation strategies to suit their particular needs. John has extensive experience in the areas of general, professional and product liability cases. He has also resolved cases involving commercial disputes, construction accidents, toxic and environmental exposure, and catastrophic personal injury matters. John is a 5.0 AV-rated attorney by Martindale-Hubbell.
Experience
Jackson & Wallace Partner
February 2005 - March 2010 San Francisco, CA
Trial attorney responsible for defending general liability, professional liability and product liability matters. Handled all aspects of litigated matters from filing through final resolution. Tried or arbitrated six cases to verdict. Successfully briefed and argued procedural and dispositive motions.
University of California - Continuing Education of the Bar Program Attorney
August 1999 - February 2005 Oakland, CA Managing attorney in charge of the Continuing Education of the Bar’s (CEB) civil litigation continuing legal education curriculum. Devised and implemented 18 to 20 programs per year in the fields of litigation, legal technology, legal ethics, employment law and substantive tort theory. Served as the CEB Liaison to the Executive Committee of the State Bar of California Litigation Section.
Molligan, Cox & Moyer Attorney
August 1990 - July 1999 San Francisco, CA
Represented plaintiffs in a wide variety of cases, including antitrust, defamation, environmental, insurance coverage/bad faith, medical malpractice, personal injury and product liability matters. Tried one bench trial with partner, resulting in a $6 million verdict; arbitrated six matters, all to successful verdicts.
Professional Associations
Defense Research Institute (DRI)
Association of Defense Counsel of Northern California (ADCNC)
Contra Costa County Bar Association
Publications
Withdrawing from Representation? Be Careful About What You Disclose, ADC Defense Comment, Summer 2017
Finding Fault with Ault – Why the Exclusion of Subsequent Design Change Evidence in Product Liability Cases Makes Sense, Even in California (Co-author Craig A. Livingston), IADC Defense Counsel Journal, July 2011
Professional Activities
Moot Court Judge, University of San Francisco School of Law
Volunteer Settlement Judge, San Francisco Superior Court
Volunteer Judge and Scorer, Contra Costa County High School Mock Trial Program
Presentations
Trial Preparation, Association of Defense Counsel of Northern California and Nevada, Basic Training Series XXIV, San Francisco, CA (October 2019)
Bird's-Eye View: Inception and Litigation of a New File, Association of Defense Counsel of Northern California and Nevada, Basic Training Series XXIV, San Francisco, CA (September 2019
Trending Employment Law and Diversity Issues for Silicon Valley, National Association of Minority and Women Owned Law Firms, August 2018
Masters in Trial, A trial demonstration from voir dire through jury deliberation, American Board of Trial Advocates, October 2017
Preparing For, Taking & Using Depositions, California Continuing Education of the Bar, September 2005
Punitive Damages: Maximizing Your Client’s Success or Minimizing Your Client’s Exposure, California Continuing Education of the Bar, January 2005
Suing and Defending the Professional, California Continuing Education of the Bar, September 2004
CACI: California’s New Civil Jury Instructions, California Continuing Education of the Bar, January 2004
Defending Your Client in a Misdemeanor Case, California Continuing Education of the Bar, September 2003
Fundamentals of Wrongful Employment Termination, California Continuing Education of the Bar, September 2002
Preparing Witnesses for Deposition and Trial, California Continuing Education of the Bar, July 2002
The Internet, E-Mail and Lawyers, California Continuing Education of the Bar, January 2002
Bar Admissions
State Bar of California – 1990
U.S. Court of Appeals, Ninth Circuit – 1990
U.S. District Courts
Northern District CA – 1990 Eastern District CA - 2019
Personal
Father of four musically talented children. Youth soccer referee. Dedicated swim team parent and enthusiastic meet announcer. Rabid Arsenal supporter.
