Overview
John’s practice spans appeals, complex civil litigation, and government and regulatory matters. He has litigated in state and federal courts at both the trial and appellate levels across a broad range of subjects, including elections, state and federal constitutional law, statutory interpretation, commercial disputes, and professional liability.
In his government and regulatory practice, John represents state and local governments, private parties, and nonprofit organizations in disputes involving constitutional questions, administrative proceedings, and election law. His work in this area includes advising on legislation and ballot measures and representing clients in election-related matters.
John maintains an active appellate practice, having represented clients in the Arizona Supreme Court, Arizona Court of Appeals, and the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit. Southwest Super Lawyers has also recognized him as an Appellate “Rising Star.”
Before joining Osborn Maledon, John served as a law clerk to the Honorable Mary M. Schroeder of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit and to the Honorable G. Murray Snow of the U.S. District Court for the District of Arizona. He holds a law degree from Harvard Law School, where he graduated with honors.
Representative Matters
- SDB Holdco LLC v. Harris, 1-CA-SA 25-0314, (Ariz. App. 2026) (arbitrability of employment dispute)
- Markham Contracting Co., Inc. v. Cahava Springs Phase I, Inc., 2025 WL 337535 (Ariz. App. 2025) (unjust enrichment)
- Cao v. PFP Dorsey Investments, LLC, 256 Ariz. 88 (2024)(takings clause and statutory interpretation issues regarding condominium forced sales)
- High Desert Healing LLC v. CEC 141202761, LLC 2024 WL 849700 (Ariz. App. 2024) (commercial lease dispute)
- Legacy Foundation Action Fund v. Citizens Clean Elections Commission, 254 Ariz 485 (2023) (due process separation of functions challenge to agency action).
- City of Scottsdale v. Federal Aviation Administration, 37 F.4th 678 (D.C. Cir. 2022) (amicus brief re NEPA challenges to flight paths out of Sky Harbor airport).
Awards
- Best Lawyers®, “Ones to Watch”, Appellate Practice, Commercial Litigation, Corporate Governance and Compliance Law, 2022-2026
- Az Business Magazine, “Emerging Leaders in Law”, 2025
- Southwest Super Lawyers, “Rising Star”, Appellate, 2023-2025
Insights
Publications
- Arizona Appellate Handbook (2026) (co-author with Tim Sabo of chapter on judicial review of administrative decisions) (forthcoming)
- With Energy Law Federalism Under Construction, State Policymaking May Be Delayed, HARV. ENVTL. L. REV. (Nov. 2016), syndicated on Envt. L. Rev. Syndicate
Presentations
- Greater Phoenix Educational Management Council: “Debunking the Common Sense Institute’s Excess Space Analysis” (Jan. 26, 2026)
- Pima County Board Superintendent Collaboration Group: GESD v. State Update (Sept. 15, 2025).
- ASBA Law Conference, Update on GESD v. State with Danny Adelman (Sept. 4, 2025)
- Arizona School Administrators, Capital Funding Litigation Update Webinar, with Danny Adelman (Aug. 28, 2025)
- Appellate Update, City of Phoenix CLE Law Day, with Eric M. Fraser (June 2021)