John is a member of the firm's Health Care Department. He concentrates his practice in medical malpractice, representing correctional health care providers, health systems, long term-care facilities, assisted living facilities, physicians, nurses and mental health professionals. John also has extensive experience in handling general liability matters which is a significant asset in defending legal malpractice actions, particularly as they relate to claims against trial counsel. When a legal malpractice claim derives from an underlying medical malpractice or general liability matter, John brings depth and added knowledge to the defense of the matter. He has successfully tried cases to verdict in all three of Pennsylvania's federal courts, and in 12 county courts of common pleas. John has also participated in various types of ADR activities, including arbitrations and mediations, throughout Pennsylvania.
John partners with his clients to resolve matters as efficiently and effectively as possible. He evaluates each case with an eye toward prompt resolution, whether through ADR or trial. An experienced trial attorney, John assesses the risk of exposure and focuses on developing a persuasive story that is easily understandable for the jury.
While attending the Dickinson School of Law, John was a member of the ATLA trial team. He was also an adjunct professor with the Advocacy Program. Prior to law school, John graduated summa cum laude from Indiana University of Pennsylvania. As an undergrad, he participated in varsity baseball and was named a three-time PSAC scholar athlete award winner. John remains active with IUP and has served as the president of the Alumni Association Board of Directors. He was the recipient of the Distinguished Alumni Award for Service in 2018.
John has been recognized among the Best Lawyers in America since 2018, and has been selected a Best Lawyers “Lawyer of the Year” in the Harrisburg region in both 2022 and 2020. He has additionally been selected a Pennsylvania Super Lawyer numerous times since 2014.
As an active member of the legal and civic communities, John is involved in various organizations. He is a member of the Federal Bar Association, Middle District of Pennsylvania Chapter, as well as the Dauphin and Cumberland County Bar Associations, the Pennsylvania Defense Institute, and the St. Thomas More Society. John is the former Mayor of Paxtang Borough and past president of the Paxtang Borough Council. He coached youth sports through the Wilhem Paxtang Athletic Association and the St. Margaret Mary Athletic Association for a number of years.
Honors & awards
The Best Lawyers in America, 'Lawyer of the Year,' Harrisburg, Litigation - Insurance
2020, 2024
The Best Lawyers in America, Personal Injury Litigation - Defendants; Litigation - Insurance
2018-2026
Pennsylvania Super Lawyers
2014-2018, 2021-2025
Pennsylvania Super Lawyers Rising Star
2010-2011
Year joined
2018
Results
Defense verdict for physician in the Eastern District of Pennsylvania.
Health Care Liability
April 22, 2022
The plaintiff alleged that a physician in the Lehigh County jail failed to properly treat his chronic back pain, and that the physician exhibited a deliberate indifference to his serious medical needs. Specifically, the plaintiff contended that he should have received a spinal cord stimulator during his incarceration. After two days of testimony, the jury returned a defense verdict, agreeing with the defense’s position that the physician did not exhibit a deliberate indifference to the plaintiff’s serious medical needs.
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.
Third Circuit Holds There Is No Right to Intervention in a Medical Context
Harrisburg
Public Entity & Civil Rights Litigation
March 1, 2024
Key Points: Defense Digest, Vol. 30, No.
121 Marshall Dennehey Attorneys Recognized in the 2024 Editions of The Best Lawyers in America and the Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch in America
August 17, 2023
Marshall Dennehey is proud to highlight the firm’s 121 attorneys who have been recognized in the 2024 editions of The Best Lawyers in America and the Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch in America.
AV Preeminent®: The highest peer rating standard. This rating signifies a large number of the lawyer’s peers rank him
or her at the highest level of professional excellence for their legal knowledge, communication skills and ethical standards.
Notable: This rating indicates that the lawyer has been recognized by a large number of their peers for strong ethical standards.
