Civil Trial Lawyer
John has been representing businesses and businesspeople in the North Texas area for more than twenty-eight years. He has tried numerous cases at various levels of the judicial system, including federal district court and state district court. He has also presented appeals to the Supreme Court of Texas, the United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit, and ten of the fourteen intermediate courts of appeal in Texas. In addition to his trial practice, John is a trained mediator and summary jury trial judge. As a result of displaying a high degree of skill, competence, and professionalism, he has earned an AV-Preeminent rating from Martindale-Hubbell.
John received his law degree from SMU School of Law in 1988, where he served as an Associate Editor for the Southwestern Law Journal. While still in law school, he successfully presented an appeal to the Supreme Court of Texas through the school’s civil clinic program, resulting in a published opinion reversing the lower court. He also completed his first jury trial through the school’s clinic program.
After graduating from law school, John served a judicial clerkship as briefing attorney for the Honorable Gordon H. Rowe, Associate Justice of the Court of Appeals for the Fifth District of Texas at Dallas. There, John had the pleasure of working with future Supreme Court of Texas Justices Nathan Hecht, Craig Enoch, and James Baker.
As a seasoned trial lawyer, John continues to maintain a high level of practice. He has represented clients in cases reported in the Wall Street Journal and Dallas Morning News, as well as ones featured on local news broadcasts and the national news program, Nightline. His civil trial practice includes representation in both state and federal court and encompasses a wide range of areas.
Areas of Practice
- Contract Litigation
- Real Estate Litigation
- Business Litigation
- Commercial Litigation
- Construction Law Disputes, Defects & Accidents
- Commercial Landlord-Tenant Disputes
- Commercial Account Collection
- Business Torts
- Trade Secret & Non-Compete Matters
- Professional Liability & Legal Malpractice
- Insurance Coverage
- Appeals
- Arbitration & Mediation
- Family law
Education
J.D., 1988 – Southern Methodist University Dedman School of Law
B.S. (Political Science) summa cum laude, 1985 – Southern Methodist University,
B.A. (Psychology) summa cum laude, 1985 – Southern Methodist University, summa cum laude
Minor (Economics), 1985 – Southern Methodist University
Professional Licenses
State Bar of Texas
United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit
United States District Court for the Northern District of Texas
United States District Court for the Eastern District of Texas
United States District Court for the Southern District of Texas
United States District Court for the Western District of Texas
Significant Representations
Dallas Nat’l Ins. Co. v. Calitex Corp. – Obtained “reverse and render” opinion from court of appeals in favor of insurer on summary judgment in coverage litigation arising out of underlying $1M verdict in construction defect case.
Herrmann v. Goff Custom Homes, L.P. – Successfully argued motion for summary judgment in trial court defending home builder in serious construction accident case, then successfully briefed and argued case on appeal.
Powell Protection Systems v. Best Buy Co., Inc. – Secured a $1.8 million jury verdict on behalf of a Texas low voltage integrator for tortious interference and fraud following an eight-day jury trial.
McGuire v. Cove Terrace Associates – Despite losing jury trial, obtained “reverse and render” opinion in favor of landlord in constructive eviction case brought by tenant, including award on counterclaim for breach of lease, with court of appeals determining he had conclusively proven his case at trial.
Grace Energy Corp. v. Kaneb Pipe Line Operating Partnership, L.P., et al. – Tried ten day jury trial in dispute between Texas pipeline partnership and W.R. Grace subsidiary over ownership of Massachusetts pipeline with potential multi-million dollar environmental liability.
Martin v. Waco Hilton, et al. – Received take-nothing verdict after two-week jury trial in negligent security premises liability action based on plaintiff being robbed and shot in parking lot of hotel.
Chacon v. Everett Industries, Inc. – Obtained take-nothing verdict after eight-day trial defending product liability claim against manufacturer involving permanent brain injury to plaintiff.
Reported Appellate Decisions
Torres v. Mansell, 518 S.W.3d 481 (Tex. App.—Amarillo 2017, pet. denied)
Dallas Nat’l Ins. Co. v. Calitex Corp., 458 S.W.3d 210 (Tex. App.—Dallas 2015, no pet.)
Companion Property & Cas. Ins. Co. v. Palermo, 723 F.3d 557 (5th Cir. 2013).
Yost v. Jered Custom Homes, 399 S.W.3d 653 (Tex. App.—Dallas 2013, no pet.).
Olivares v. Mares, 390 S.W.3d 608 (Tex. App.—Dallas 2012, no pet.).
Myan Management Group, L.L.C. v. Adam Sparks Family Revocable Trust, 292 S.W.3d 750 (Tex. App.—Dallas 2009, no pet.).
Warfield v. Byron, 436 F.3d 551 (5th Cir. 2006).
In re Bain, 144 S.W.3d 236 (Tex. App.—Tyler 2004, orig. proceeding).
Rayon v. Energy Specialties, Inc., 121 S.W.3d 7 (Tex. App.—Fort Worth 2002, no pet.).
Luce v. Interstate Adjusters, Inc., 26 S.W.3d 561 (Tex. App.—Dallas 2000, no pet.).
Wallace v. Investment Advisors, Inc., 960 S.W.2d 885 (Tex. App.—Texarkana 1997, pet. denied).
Durbin v. Dal-Briar Corp., 871 S.W.2d 263 (Tex. App.—El Paso 1994, writ denied).
Greenwood v. Tillamook Country Smoker, Inc., 857 S.W.2d 654 (Tex. App.—Houston [1st Dist.] 1993, no writ).
Howell v. Thompson, 839 S.W.2d 92 (Tex. 1992).
Jones v. Stayman, 747 S.W.2d 369 (Tex. 1987).
Personal
John previously served for a year on the board of directors of a Dallas non-profit counseling center. He also served for six years as an adult leader with the Cub Scouts of America. He has been a recreational soccer coach and league commissioner, as well as the president of a local select soccer club. He is active in politics, serving in the past as a precinct chair and as a delegate to the State convention, Collin County convention, and Senatorial District 8 convention.