Appearing before trial and appellate judges, juries, and arbitrators, John has deep, bet-the-company trial experience in multiple jurisdictions. He efficiently and aggressively handles complex trials and appeals, including prosecuting and defending cases with nine-figure damages. He has appeared in more than 25 jurisdictions as lead counsel over the course of his career.
John has achieved multiple peer-reviewed honors, including Fellow of American College of Trial Lawyers, Chambers Band 1 in Labor and Employment and Complex Litigation, Best Lawyers (12-time Lawyer of the Year including in Labor and Employment Litigation, Bet-the-Company Litigation, and Appellate Practice) and Super Lawyers Indiana (top-rated previously and top 10 frequently). A thought leader, John publishes numerous articles on federal practice, is the author of the Appellate Handbook for Indiana Lawyers and lectures frequently.
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 (32 years)
- Member, Northern District of Indiana Local Rules Committee (25 years)
- Board of visitors member, Indiana University McKinney School of Law
- Member, Seventh Circuit Civil Pattern Jury Instructions Committee
- Past president, Indianapolis Bar Association
- Past president, Indianapolis Bar Foundation
- Co-chair and lecturer, Indiana Bar Review
- 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 Top 10 nearly every year
- The Best Lawyers in America, 2007-2025; twelve-time Lawyer of the Year in multiple categories from 2009-2025
- 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