John is a shareholder in the Philadelphia office of Marshall Dennehey and serves as Co-Chair of the Public Entity & Civil Rights Litigation Practice Group. He practices in the areas of civil rights, municipal liability, school claims and employment law.
John has represented police officers and public officials in state and federal court in all aspects of civil rights litigation including claims involving use of force, wrongful arrest and land use. In addition, John has represented public and private employers in wrongful discharge, employment discrimination and defamation claims from administrative proceedings through trial. John has tried dozens of cases in state and federal courts and argued cases before the Third Circuit Court of Appeals.
In addition to his trial work, John has presented numerous seminars to police departments, law firms and government agencies in the areas of police practices, civil rights issues and municipal liability. He has consulted with police departments concerning the development of policies and procedures and provided advice and guidance to employers concerning employment-related matters.
John received his juris doctor from Temple University School of Law, where he was a member of the Moot Court Honor Society, and graduated from the University of Scranton with a Bachelor of Arts in history and philosophy and a Master of Arts in history. He is admitted to practice in Pennsylvania and the U.S. District Courts for the Eastern and Middle Districts of Pennsylvania and the Third Circuit Court of Appeals.
Honors & awards
AV Preeminent by Martindale-Hubbell
The Best Lawyers in America , Employment Law - Management
2024-2026
Pennsylvania Super Lawyers
2019-2020, 2023-2025
Year joined
1994
Results
Dismissal of Police Officers Secured Via Sanctions Imposed
Public Entity & Civil Rights Litigation
August 22, 2025
We had our clients dismissed via sanctions imposed. On Jan. 6, 2011, Charles Sample was arrested by officers of the Philadelphia Police Department’s Narcotics Field Unit. The plaintiff alleged the officers seized $40,000 in cash from his vehicle, falsified a search warrant affidavit, disregarded proper procedures and withheld exculpatory evidence, leading to drug charges. The plaintiff entered a guilty plea for probation to avoid a lengthy prison sentence. On Jan.
Summary Judgment Granted in First Amendment Retaliation Claim Case
Public Entity & Civil Rights Litigation
May 16, 2025
We were granted summary judgment in the dismissal of a First Amendment retaliation claim. The case was brought against our client, the borough manager, as well as the borough and several other of its employees. The plaintiff worked as a trash man in the Streets Department. With regard to the borough manager, the plaintiff alleged First Amendment retaliation under 42 U.S.C. 1983, claiming a hostile work environment due to racial slurs and discriminatory behavior by coworkers and supervisors.
Summary Judgment Obtained in a Section 1983 Malicious Prosecution Case
Public Entity & Civil Rights Litigation
February 12, 2025
We obtained summary judgment on behalf of several Philadelphia narcotics police officers in a Section 1983 malicious prosecution and fabrication of evidence lawsuit. The U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania dismissed the case, with prejudice, finding the record was barren of any fabricated evidence by any of the defendant officers that was ever used in or influenced any criminal proceeding against the plaintiff, the officers possessed probable cause to charge the plaintiff, and the plaintiff tendered no evidence of an underlying constitutional violation.
Summary Judgment Secured in a Section 1983 Substantive Due Process Case
Public Entity & Civil Rights Litigation
December 23, 2024
We obtained summary judgment in a Section 1983 substantive due process claim involving a Philadelphia police officer. The officer had taken a photo of the plaintiff’s son after he attempted suicide by jumping off a bridge, and the photo was later circulated on social media. The plaintiff alleged that circulation of the photo violated her substantive due process privacy rights, and she also asserted a claim for intentional infliction of emotional distress. One week before trial began, the Honorable Mark Kearney, U.S.
Defense Verdict Received in Title VII/Section 1983 Sexual Harassment Case
Public Entity & Civil Rights Litigation
May 9, 2024
We obtained a defense verdict in a Title VII/Section 1983 sexual harassment case. This claim was filed against a City in Pennsylvania and was heard in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania. The plaintiff alleged that she was subjected to a hostile work environment by a City official, and that the City failed to take appropriate remedial measures. The jury concluded that the plaintiff failed to prove that she was sexually harassed after deliberating for just over an hour.
Thought Leadership
98 Marshall Dennehey Attorneys Recognized in the 2026 Editions of The Best Lawyers in America and the Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch in America
August 20, 2025
Marshall Dennehey is proud to highlight the firm’s 98 attorneys who have been recognized in the 2026 editions of The Best Lawyers in America and the Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch in America. Less than 6% of all practicing lawyers in the U.S.
Marshall Dennehey Announces 2025 Pennsylvania Super Lawyers and Rising Stars
May 22, 2025
Thirty-three attorneys across Marshall Dennehey's five Pennsylvania offices have been selected to the 2025 edition of Pennsylvania Super Lawyers magazine.
Marshall Dennehey Announces 2024 Pennsylvania Super Lawyers and Rising Stars
May 17, 2024
Twenty-eight attorneys across Marshall Dennehey's six Pennsylvania offices have been selected to the 2024 edition of Pennsylvania Super Lawyers magazine.
Classes/Seminars Taught
Workers' Compensation Winter Roundup, Graham Company webinar, December 15, 2020
Understanding the Debate with the ADA, FMLA and Workers’ Compensation, Marshall Dennehey webinar, October 27, 2020
Mitigating the Risk of Workplace Bullying, Marshall Dennehey Workers' Compensation Seminar, October 24, 2019
Local Government Immunity in Pennsylvania, Client Seminar, October 2018
Deal or No Deal - Improving Your Negotiating Strategy, Philadelphia Law Department, August 2018
Legal Updates for Law Enforcement, Pennsylvania Chiefs of Police Association's Centennial Training Education Conference, July 14, 2014
Managing a Maturing Workforce: The Legal Perspective, Delaware Valley Trust, June 2014
Social Media & Cyber Breaches: the Internet's Impact on Your Business, The Graham Company, co-presenter, May 2014
Navigating The Bermuda Triangle: The Intersection of Workers' Compensation, FMLA and ADA, Roadmap to Success - Understanding Workers' Compensation, Marshall Dennehey seminar, October 24, 2013
Hot Topics in Employment, Marshall Dennehey / AIG Seminar, Philadelphia, PA, October 10, 2013
Land Use Litigation and Liability Issues for Local Government, Delaware Founders Insurance Trust, September 2011
Land Use Civil Rights and Avoiding Liability video and webinar, Delaware Valley Insurance Trust, 2009
Police Liability Seminar, Delaware Valley Insurance Trust, November 2007
Law Enforcement Seminar - Use of Force Issues, Dauphin County, 2006
Train the Trainers Program, Municipal Police Officer Education and Training Commission, November 2005
Use of Force in Pennsylvania, Lorman Education Services, CLE, February 4, 2005
Use of Force in Pennsylvania, Lorman Education Services, CLE, February 6, 2004
Tort Claims Act, Delaware Valley Insurance Trust, March 2004
Civil Rights Liability, Delaware Valley Insurance Trust, March 2004
Distinguished: An excellent rating for a lawyer with some experience. This rating indicates the attorney is widely
respected by their peers for high professional achievement and ethical standards.
Notable: This rating indicates that the lawyer has been recognized by a large number of their peers for strong ethical standards.
