John represents both plaintiffs and defendants in complex commercial and business disputes.  He represents a broad range of clients from large Fortune 500 companies to individual business owners, officers, and directors.  His cases include many practice areas, including contracts, business torts, securities, corporate governance, fraud, and employment issues, among others.  He has extensive experience in the energy, construction, professional services, and insurance industries.  He handles all aspects of litigation and arbitration, including appeals.  Prior to joining Schiffer Odom Hicks & Johnson, John practiced law at Fulbright & Jaworski, L.L.P.

EDUCATION:

• J.D., with honors, The University of Texas School of Law, Austin, TX
• B.A., Emory University, Atlanta, GA
• Rhodes College, Memphis, TN

REPRESENTATIVE EXPERIENCE:

• Argued and obtained dismissal of $180 million breach of fiduciary duty lawsuit brought against directors of oil and gas exploration company.  Argued case on appeal.  Appellate court affirmed dismissal.
• Represented major foreign insurance company in lawsuit brought by mortgage-backed investment trust alleging over $10 million in damages for breach of contract and fraud.
• Represented logistics company seeking millions in damages for breach of contract and deceptive trade practices in connection with failed cargo handling venture.  Case settled on eve of trial on confidential terms.
• Represented publicly traded oil exploration company and its officers in lawsuit brought by preferred shareholders alleging violations of securities laws and fraud.
• Argued and obtained dismissal of lawsuit against publicly traded manufacturing company regarding incentive compensation.  Handled all aspects of appeal.  Appellate court affirmed dismissal.
• Argued and obtained summary judgment for over $500,000 on behalf of public energy company regarding the supply of oil and gas compressors.
• Represented minority shareholder in closely-held energy trading company in lawsuit for shareholder oppression.
• Represented energy trader in non-competition and trade secret dispute with former employer.
• Represented Fortune 500 insurance carrier at three-day arbitration proceeding stemming from class action lawsuits in Oklahoma and Alabama and involving alleged damages of over $80 million.  Ruling issued in favor of carrier.
• Obtained injunction on behalf of oil refinery against joint venture partner involving claims for breach of fiduciary duty and misappropriation of funds.
• Argued and obtained dismissal of lawsuit against international chemical supply company arising from operations in Costa Rica.
• Represented  Fortune 50 energy company in pipeline dispute involving defective pipe.
• Argued and obtained permanent injunction on behalf of human resources company against former employees regarding trade secrets and confidential information.
• Has tried over ten jury trials to verdict as volunteer prosecutor for the City of Houston.

APPELLATE DECISIONS:

• U.S. Bank National Association v. Stanley et al., 297 S.W.3d 815 (Tex. App.—Houston [14th Dist.] 2009, no pet.)
• Richardson v. Stewart & Stevenson Services, Inc., 2010 WL 4817136 (Tex. App—Houston [14th Dist.] 2010)

RECENT PUBLICATIONS:

• Editor-in-Chief, Harris County Bench Book (2008-2010); Contributing Editor (2006-2007)

FAMILY AND INTERESTS:

• John and his wife Lucy, a pediatrician at Texas Children’s Hospital, have one son.
• John played varsity soccer for Rhodes College and then for Emory University after transferring.  He still enjoys playing today, along with other sports.  He is also an avid college football fan.