EDUCATION
J.D., Emory University, 1980
B.S., University of Georgia, Summa Cum Laude, 1977
B.S. University of North Carolina, Summa Cum Laude, 1975
PRACTICE AREAS
Class & Collective Action
Complex Litigation
Employment Law
ASSOCIATIONS
American Bar Association
DRI
Claims and Litigation Management Alliance
North Fulton Chamber of Commerce
Tennessee State Bar
Georgia State Bar
AWARDS
Georgia Trend’s Legal Elite: Trial, Business and General
Georgia’s Legal Leaders Top Rated Lawyers
Appointed Member of the Claims and Litigation Management Alliance (invited by the Fellows)
ADMITTED TO PRACTICE
Georgia
Tennessee
CIVIC & COMMUNITY SERVICE
Member of the Friends of Music, Cathedral of St. Philip
Representative Matters
John served as lead counsel in the following cases:
- Mass action alleging exposure to hexavalent chromium
- Lead exposure involving a child
- Embezzlement case involving $5,000,000
- Commercial litigation involving RICO, fraud and conversion
- Employment discrimination cases against employer
- Hospital chain in wage and hour claims and putative class exposure
Product Liability and Toxic Tort
John served as lead counsel in a wrongful death claim representing a chemical manufacturer allegedly exposed to hexavalent chromium. He successfully defended this litigation and obtained a dismissal with prejudice. In addition, he obtained a dismissal of a personal injury case involving alleged exposure to lead which decreased the IQ of a young child. John also served as lead counsel in a multi-plaintiff toxic tort exposure case defending a machine and chemical manufacturer.
Business Litigation
John was lead defense counsel in a $180 million fraud case against school board members and successfully obtained a dismissal of the action. He also served as lead counsel in a $200 million fraud case filed by Lloyd’s of London against a life expectancy provider. John has a successful track record defending complicated professional liability claims, including wrongful death claims ranging from misdiagnosis to the use of surgical implantation devices. He was also lead counsel in significant RICO, embezzlement and tort cases.
Employment Litigation
John was lead counsel defending WARN Act and FLSA claims where class certification was sought. He successfully defeated the class certification motion and secured the dismissal of the matter with prejudice. He defended a hospital in a pivotal FLSA lawsuit that challenged the hospital’s entire pay system and involved significant potential exposure. John has been the lead counsel on hundreds of employment discrimination cases and has a long history of success in motions to dismiss, summary judgments, ADR and trial cases.
Legal Assistant:
Alyson Franklin
404-582-8433 - Direct
alyson@elarbeethompson.com
