About John
Corporate and Business Transactions
John serves as a trusted advisor to entrepreneurs, companies, investors and high net-worth families in their business and financial transactions. Bringing a broad range of experience, including time as a public accountant at a big-four accounting firm, an analyst at a hedge fund-of-funds, and an attorney at an international law firm, John has over 25 years of financial and legal experience. He represents clients in a variety of sophisticated matters including mergers and acquisitions, venture / angel capital, corporate finance and commercial agreements.
In addition to structuring transactions, John serves as outside general counsel for several of his clients, assisting them with all manner of legal issues as they arise. John spent the early part of his legal career in the field of commercial litigation, so over the years he has continued to advise clients in complex commercial disputes, including shareholder disputes and disputes involving financial and private securities issues. John takes an in-depth approach with his clients, getting to know them so he can both address their current needs and help them anticipate what they’ll need going forward to achieve their objectives.
Government Investigations, White Collar Defense and Crisis Counsel
Business leaders, professionals, and other individuals can find themselves facing government investigations, criminal allegations, or other high-stakes legal crises with little warning. The consequences may extend far beyond the courtroom, affecting careers, reputations, financial interests, and families.
Drawing on more than 25 years of experience advising business owners, executives, investors, and high-net-worth individuals, and including over 10 years of representing individuals accused of crimes for King and Pierce counties, John represents individuals facing criminal investigations and prosecutions. He regularly helps clients navigate complex situations involving accusations of fraud, theft, financial misconduct, and other serious offenses. He advises clients at every stage of a matter, including pre-charge investigations, search warrants, charging decisions, negotiations, evidentiary hearings, and trial.
John brings a practical understanding of the financial, operational, and personal issues that often arise when criminal allegations intersect with business and professional life. John’s approach combines strategic advocacy with practical counseling. He works closely with clients and their families to help them understand their options, manage uncertainty, and make informed decisions during some of the most difficult circumstances they may ever face.
In addition to his private practice, John has served for many years on the conflict panels for both the King County Department of Public Defense and the Pierce County Department of Assigned Counsel, representing clients in misdemeanor and felony criminal matters when conflicts prevent representation by the public defender’s office
Outside of his professional life John enjoys spending time with his wife and three children, piloting Cessnas around the Pacific Northwest and outdoor photography. He also values giving back to his community, and is a regular volunteer at his neighborhood legal clinic and St. Vincent de Paul, and for many years was a board member and Secretary of the Mountains to Sound Greenway.
