John is a partner in the Birmingham office. His primary practice areas include commercial transportation defense, professional liability, and appellate practice. John represents licensed professionals and transportation clients throughout Alabama state and federal courts and is a member of the 24/7 CMV Accident Response team for the firm. In the past, John has represented clients in workers’ compensation, civil rights, immigration and mass tort litigation including class certification for class actions in federal court.

John spent his early life in San Isidro, Costa Rica and is a native Spanish speaker. He earned his law degree from the University of Mississippi in Oxford, MS. While in law school, John was a member of the moot court board. John joins the firm with more than a decade of experience defending insurers in auto accident cases as in-house counsel for one of the biggest insurance companies in the country. John has served on the junior board for Hands on Birmingham and The ARC of Central Alabama.

When he is not advocating for clients, John enjoys watching football, riding his motorcycles, and spending time with his wife Chelsea and daughter Libby.

 

Admissions

  • Alabama
  • Florida
  • U.S. District Court, Northern District of Alabama
  • U.S. District Court, Middle District of Alabama

Practice Areas

Education

  • The University of Southern Mississippi, B.A., 2006, President’s List, Dean’s List
  • The University of Mississippi School of Law, J.D., 2009, Moot Court Board

Professional and Community Involvement

  • Alabama State Bar
  • Birmingham Bar Association
  • Florida Bar Association

Representative Experience

  • Secured summary judgment in a disputed liability auto accident case in Bessemer, Alabama.
  • Secured defense verdict in auto accident case alleging traumatic brain injury.
  • Argued position which ultimately changed the Alabama Pattern Jury Instruction to include APJI 9.01 distinguishing Negligence and Wantonness as mutually exclusive torts.
  • Established notice and hearing requirement prior to dismissal by a court for failure to prosecute.
  • Certified and obtained a consent judgment in federal civil rights class action.

Reported Decisions

  • Ex parte U.S. Steel Mining Co., LLC, 160 So.3d 1245 (Ala.Civ.App 2014)
  • Ex parte Bote, 103 So.3d 40 (Ala. 2012))