Who We Are

John was admitted to the California State Bar in 1990. His early career was heavily weighted towards civil litigation, with a strong emphasis in personal injury and public entity tort matters. Over time, his practice became focused on agricultural related matters - particularly real estate and business/commercial litigation. He serves as general and outside counsel for a wide number of wineries and vineyard owners in Sonoma, Napa, Lake and Mendocino Counties. Beyond the wine industry, his representation includes dairymen, egg farmers, fruit and vegetable producers, and the many industries and suppliers ancillary to the agricultural industry in Northern California.  This work encompasses real estate, general business, commercial matters, and employment issues.

This experience has been enhanced by his transactional practice through which he has been involved in the sale, purchase and leasing of many vineyards, wineries, and other businesses, and raising capital for new or expanding business ventures.

John has participated in hundreds of mediations and settlement conferences as an attorney advocating for others, along with serving as a mediator, and served as a settlement conference panelist for the Sonoma County Superior Court for over 20 years. His practice has also included arbitrations, bench trials, and jury trials.

John has lived and worked in Sonoma County since 1982, and among his passions outside of law are wine, travel, and fishing; he has been nominated for the “World’s Worst Angler” by his family for many years, and allegedly won the award in 2023.