Member
John has been a JAMlaw attorney since the firm's early days. He has been recognized for his expertise as an appellate lawyer and his knowledge of insurance law. He also has significant experience in wills, trusts, estate administration, litigation regarding these matters, and adult guardianships. He has briefed and argued numerous of appeals in the Supreme Court of Virginia and in federal appellate court, and has written the winning briefs in a case decided by the United States Supreme Court.
When he is not practicing law, John spends time with his family, working with his church and the Boy Scouts of America, and volunteering in the community.
Yale University, B.A, magna cum laude with
exceptional distinction in English Literature, 1971
University of Virginia, M.A. in English Literature, 1972
University of Virginia, J.D., 1976
Virginia Law Review (Editorial Board 1974-1975, Managing Board 1975-1976)
Order of the Coif
Virginia, 1976
U.S. Supreme Court
U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, Fourth Circuit
U.S. District Court, Western District of Virginia
U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Virginia
U.S. Bankruptcy Court, Western District of Virginia
AV rating by Martindale-Hubbell® Peer Review Ratings™
Named to Best Lawyers in America® – 2007 – 2023
Appellate Practice, Roanoke Lawyer of the Year 2013, 2015, 2017, 2019, 2022
Insurance Law, Roanoke Lawyer of the Year 2011, 2014, 2016
Listed in “Virginia Super Lawyers, Appellate” – 2006, 2010-2022
Law Clerk to the Hon. John D. Butzner, Jr., United States Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit, 1977-1978
Pro Bono Legal Service:
Legal Aid Society of Roanoke Valley
Board of Directors
Blue Ridge Legal Services
Roanoke Bar Association
Virginia Bar Association
Virginia State Bar
Board of Governors, Senior Lawyers Conference
District Disciplinary Committee, 1986 – 1989, Chair, 1988 – 1989
American Bar Association
Virginia Association of Defense Attorneys
Journal of Civil Litigation, Chair, Board of Editors
Boyd-Graves Conference
Community Affiliations:
Christ Episcopal Church
Multiple terms as Vestry Member and Warden
Choir member
Search Committee, 2015
Roanoke Public Library Foundation
President, Board of Directors
Boy Scouts of America
Troop Leader, Troop 50
District Eagle Scout Board of Review
Council Vice-President for Safety
Wood Badge Staff
National Scout Jamboree Staff (portraying Robert Baden-Powell at Brownsea Island)
District Award of Merit
Silver Beaver Award
Community High School, Board of Directors
Yale Club of Southwestern Virginia, Chair, Alumni Schools Committee
Roanoke City Public Schools
Lecturer in Shakespeare and other topics in British Literature, 1988-2010
Youth soccer coach, 1984 – 1999
Publications:
A Guide to Legal Research in Virginia
Co-editor, (VaCLE 2012, new edition forthcoming)
Author of new chapter on excess and umbrella insurance, Insurance Law in Virginia,
(VaCLE, forthcoming)
Virginia Law and Practice: A Handbook for Attorneys,
Co-author of chapter on “Appellate Practice in Virginia” (VaCLE 2017)
Appellate Practice – Virginia and Federal Courts,
Co-author of chapter on “Extraordinary Writs and Unusual Appeals” (VaCLE 2016)
“Virginia Negligent Entrustment Law,” 11 Journal of Civil Litigation 25 (1999)
Note, “Shakespeare and the Legal Process,” 61 Virginia Law Review 390 (1975)