John joined Long & Levit in 2023, after practicing as a civil litigator at Robie & Matthai and Sidley Austin LLP. He is certified as a specialist in Legal Malpractice Law by the State Bar of California. His practice focuses on representing lawyers and law firms in professional liability litigation and attorney disqualification matters. He also has represented Big Four and regional accounting firms and individual accountants in professional malpractice actions, breach of contract actions, and SEC and state regulatory investigations. From those matters, he has developed substantial knowledge of accounting principles and the audit process, something that makes him a strong advocate for his clients.
John also has a sophisticated sense of litigation strategy and business judgment. He has represented a variety of clients in litigation, including financial institutions, sports, media, and entertainment companies, internet-based companies, and other public and privately-held companies. From those cases, he has a broad base of experiences to draw from when defending legal malpractice cases. In counseling clients, he often calls upon his street smarts and business experience. Before entering law school, John spent several years working in management at a large company, where he set sales performance goals, oversaw a budget and controlled expenses, and served customers and referral sources. That business experience often helps him to identify the business implications of litigation developments as well as the sometimes-hidden motivations of his clients' adversaries.
John's calm demeanor makes him unflappable even during the most stressful moments in high stakes cases. His creativity, tirelessness, and judgment help him obtain excellent results for his clients.
Areas of Practice
Lawyers & Judges Defense Group
Areas of Expertise
Representation of lawyers and law firms in professional liability litigation and attorney disqualification matters
Education
Columbia University
B.A., 1996
Loyola Law School
J.D., 2005