University of Wisconsin - Madison Law School

John has lived in Eau Claire since 1985. He and his wife, a teacher in the Eau Claire School System, have four children. John personally enjoys jogging, golf, and bowling. With his four children ranging in age from middle school to college, he concedes most of his free time is spent organizing his calendar to attend or chauffeur kids to all of their respective soccer, baseball, and basketball games, cross-country meets, band concerts, and other school functions.

John is a strong advocate for maintaining the strength and integrity of Wisconsin public schools and universities. He regularly participates in issues that affect these institutions.

Volunteer Activities

John has worked extensively with youth sports programs in the Eau Claire area. He has for several years coached YMCA basketball and AYSO soccer teams and is in his 11th straight year of coaching a traveling basketball team for boys or girls teams from 5th through 8th grade. John has also served several years on the church council for his local church. He also serves as a team leader for 8th grade confirmation class.

Notable Legal Achievements

Negotiated a $1.1 million settlement for a client badly injured by a drunk driver

Negotiated $1.3 and $1.8 million settlements in product liability cases

Negotiated a $4.5 million settlement in an auto accident caused by defective products

Negotiated a $900,000+ settlement for a client with a severely fractured ankle from an auto accident

Negotiated a $1.3 settlements for a trucking accident

Negotiated numerous settlements over $500,000

Successfully argued cases before the Wisconsin Supreme Court involving:
    • Awarding worker’s compensation rights for employee in sheltered
      employment setting
    • Determining the duties and responsibilities of hospitals and others
      in providing secure facilities for mental health patients
    • Awarding rights to injured workers and prosecute personal injury
      claims against employer based on contractual indemnity of
      manufacturer of defective products used in the workplace

Assisted in Supreme Court case upholding employee’s right to an award for compensatory damages in employment discrimination case

Successfully argued before the Wisconsin Court of Appeals that when hospital patients are covered by HMO, the hospital is limited to payment made by HMO and may not attempt to collect from the patient personally

Obtained jury verdict in excess of $700,000

Confidential settlement of claim against mental health care provider for wrongful death of child arising from improper use of restraint holds