Biography
John represents individuals, partnerships and companies in diverse legal matters including complex commercial litigation, bankruptcy litigation and franchising issues.
He represents both franchisors and franchisees in litigation and general corporate matters, including advice respecting Franchise Disclosure Documents, franchise agreements and related contracts. In addition to his litigation practice, John serves as trusted advisor to several companies and individuals, assisting his clients in developing a carefully coordinated approach to identify and address legal issues effectively and efficiently. He believes that a carefully coordinated approach to legal services is necessary not only to help his clients solve their legal problems but also to help his clients become more successful.
John’s broad background in litigation matters, in both federal and state courts, includes cases involving contracts, partnership and shareholder agreements, trade secrets, restrictive covenants, trademarks and copyrights, construction, antitrust, employment, protection of creditors’ interests in bankruptcy and governmental oversight of regulated industries.
Beyond Fox Rothschild
John is a U.S.A. Swimming Official, serving as a Starter, Chief Judge and Stroke and Turn Judge. He also serves on the Age Group Committee for Allegheny Mountain Swimming, one of 102 regional affiliates of U.S.A. Swimming.
John is an Appointed Governor, Chair of the Alumni Clubs Committee and member of the Executive Committee of the Georgetown University Alumni Association, as well as a former President of the Georgetown Alumni Club of Pittsburgh.
John currently serves as a Member of the Audit Committee and Bankruptcy and Commercial Law Section of the Allegheny County Bar Association (ACBA) and has previously served as the Chair of the ACBA’s Federal Court Practice Section and on its Nominating Committee. He also serves as Co-Chair of the Pittsburgh Franchise Business Network within the International Franchise Association.
John previously served as a member of the Parents Advisory Council of the Campus Laboratory School of Carlow University, which is an independent Catholic school serving children in pre-school through grade eight.
Client Resources
John is the editor of the firm's Franchise Law Update blog, which highlights not only the regulatory aspects of franchising but also diverse topics such as business finance, employment, litigation and the protection of intellectual property including trademarks and copyrights. He also regularly records podcasts on a variety of topics.
Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG): What You Need to Know
John and David H. Colvin, Co-Chair of the firm's ESG Practice Group, presented this webinar to the International Franchise Association on why ESG matters and what franchise-industry businesses should be doing to determine which ESG considerations are most appropriate for them.
Franchise 101 - PowerPoint
John presented at the University of Pittsburgh’s Joseph M. Katz Graduate School of Business on the ins and outs of franchise law.
View the PowerPoint that accompanied the presentation.
Arbitration Provisions and Alternative Dispute Resolution in a Changing Legal Landscape - PowerPoint
John presented on selecting arbitration and the best practices regarding the types of provisions to address the number of arbitrators, scope of discovery, and permissible motions.
Bar Admissions
- Pennsylvania
Court Admissions
- U.S. Court of Appeals, Third Circuit
- U.S. Court of Appeals, Seventh Circuit
- U.S. Court of Appeals, Ninth Circuit
- U.S. District Court, Western District of Pennsylvania
- U.S. Bankruptcy Court, Western District of Pennsylvania
Education
- University of Pittsburgh School of Law (J.D., cum laude, 1997)
- Georgetown University Edmund A. Walsh School of Foreign Service (B.S., cum laude, 1994)
Memberships
- International Franchise Association
- Co-Chair, Pittsburgh Franchise Business Network
- American Bar Association, Forum on Franchising
- Chair, Litigation and Alternative Dispute Resolution Steering Committee
- Allegheny County Bar Association, Audit Committee, Bankruptcy and Commercial Law Section
- Past Chair, Federal Court Section, Allegheny County Bar Association
- Lexwork Litigation Practice Group
Board of Directors
- Georgetown University Alumni Association, Chair of the Alumni Clubs Committee and member of the Executive Committee
- Laurel Highlands Council, Boy Scouts of America (Former Member)
