John regularly represents publicly traded and private companies in regional and national litigation, trials and on appeal, and advises and represents leading universities in higher education issues and dispute resolution. He also frequently serves as special litigation counsel to the state of Indiana and advises local governments.
He has deep, bet-the-company trial experience in multiple jurisdictions, and has received multiple peer-reviewed honors for excellence including being a Fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers, Chambers (Band One), Best Lawyers including multiple Lawyer of the Year awards, Top Indiana Super Lawyer.
John has served as lead counsel in appeals in the U.S. Supreme Court, Indiana Supreme Court, Indiana Court of Appeals, Ohio Court of Appeals, Ohio Supreme Court, Michigan Court of Appeals, Arizona Court of Appeals and Arizona Supreme Court, and in Pennsylvania appellate courts. He also has handled appeals in several federal courts of appeals, including in the Third, Fourth, Sixth, Seventh, Eighth, Ninth and Eleventh circuits. John has successfully concluded multiple complex trials and appeals, including prosecuting and defending cases with nine-figure damages and appearing in more than 25 jurisdictions as lead counsel.
John has published numerous articles on federal practice and is the author of the Appellate Handbook for Indiana Lawyers. He lectures frequently on federal civil practice, noncompete and employment matters.
John is married to Vivian Maley, CEO of the Joseph Maley Foundation, named in honor of their son, Joseph, who passed in 2008; they have four other boys.
Professional and Community Involvement
President-Elect, Indiana State Bar Association, 2024 (to be President in 2025)
Chair, Southern District of Indiana Local Rules Committee (30 years)
Past president, Indianapolis Bar Association
Past president, Indianapolis Bar Foundation
Co-chair and lecturer, Indiana Bar Review
Member, Northern District of Indiana Local Rules Committee (25 years)
Past chair, Marion County Local Rules Committee
Past president, Indianapolis Chapter, Federal Bar Association
Past president, Indiana University Law School Alumni Association
Past chair, Indiana State Bar Association's Appellate Practice Section
Past chair, Barnes & Thornburg Library and Technology Committee (2000-2020)
Past chair, Barnes & Thornburg Pro Bono Committee (2000-2020)
President, Whitewater Valley Pro Bono Commission
Past board member, USA Track & Field (USATF) Indiana
Member, Black Robe Running Club
Assistant coach, Brebeuf Jesuit cross country and track
Honors
Fellow, American College of Trial Lawyers
Fellow, Indiana Bar Foundation
Fellow, Indianapolis Bar Foundation
Indiana Super Lawyers, 2004-2024; including rankings of Top Lawyer and at least Top 50 every year
The Best Lawyers in America, 2007-2025; Lawyer of the Year, 2009, 2012-2015, 2018-2019, 2024 and 2025
Chambers USA, 2009-2024
Benchmark Litigation, Litigation Star
Who’s Who in American Law
Who’s Who in Indianapolis Law
Midwest Trailblazer, The American Lawyer