John R. Walton
Biography
John Walton graduated with an A.B. degree from Stanford University in 1984, followed by a J.D., cum laude, from the University of Michigan Law School in 1987 and an LL.M. in Japanese Law from Kyoto University in 1990.
Mr. Walton has extensive experience in all phases of litigation, including trials in state and federal courts, arbitration, mediation and appeals. Some of his recent successes include:
- Successfully represented company sued for $30 million based upon asset sale agreement, resulting in $3 million recovery to client.
- Obtained nationwide preliminary injunction protecting client’s rights to weight-loss product, followed by permanent injunction and $6 million judgment.
- Obtained preliminary injunction against UCLA’s intended sale of historical Japanese garden property in violation of terms of agreement (affirmed on appeal).
- Retained as trial counsel ten days before trial in conversion of art case. After three-week jury trial, obtained a verdict valued at $15 million in damages and ownership of art. Received mayoral commendation for excellence in trial advocacy.
- Obtained judgments of non-dischargeability in bankruptcy court on behalf of trademark and joint venture plaintiffs against Chapter 7 debtor, including injunction against further competitive activities.
- Represented Austrian manufacturer of heavy equipment against fraud claim; vacated default judgment (and affirmed on appeal) in first suit and defended second suit on the merits, resulting in judgment for client and award of attorneys’ fees under FRCP Rule 41.
- Defended corporate client against claim by owner of note for ownership of 20% of company as “fee” for forbearance; after trial, obtained judgment for defendant on the complaint and also prevailed on cross-complaint for usury and alter ego liability, totaling $2 million.
- Represented plaintiff creditors/assignees of corporate bankruptcy in claim of theft of trade secrets. Obtained 8-figure settlement during arbitration proceedings.
- Defended against proffered amendment of trust by proving forgery at trial, and then successfully petitioned for disinheritance (affirmed on appeal).
Mr. Walton also has significant experience in international litigation (i.e., cases where one or more of the parties is domiciled in a foreign country). Mr. Walton is fluent in spoken and written Japanese, and earned a Masters in Japanese law while working as a foreign legal consultant at an international Japanese law firm. Mr. Walton previously practiced with Irell & Manella and Graham & James.
Mr. Walton has been recognized repeatedly as a preeminent practitioner by Super Lawyers, Martindale-Hubbell, American Lawyer Magazine, and Pasadena Magazine.
Education
- The University of Michigan Law School, Ann Arbor, Michigan
- J.D. – 1987
- Honors: cum laude
- Kyoto University Japanese Ministry of Education Fellowship, Kyoto, Japan
- LL.M., Master of Laws – 1990
- Stanford University, California
- A.B. – 1984
Pro-Bono Activities
- Cub Scout and Boy Scout Leader, 2009
Representative Clients
- Hollywood Sound Int’l; Casch Copenhagen; Superior Real Estate; Panda Development & Construction; Kuni Research Int’l; Meiji Dairies; Bank of Kentucky; TriPharma; GNC; Kormann Rockster Recycler GmbH; Mischioff AG; TMW Corp.; DK Art; Micro Research Laboratory
Languages
- English
- Japanese
Professional Associations
- Executive Committee, International Law Section, California State Bar, 1998
Representative Cases
- Successfully argued the first published appellate authority in California to consider whether an attorney may represent a shareholder who simultaneously pursues both derivative and direct claims., 2013
- Obtained federal court judgment for willful Lanham Act violations, awarding $5.6 million in damages and injunctive relief, plus award of attorneys’ fees., 2013
- Retained as defense trial counsel three weeks before re-trial of employment case that previously resulted in a $1.1 million plaintiff verdict. As a result of motions in limine and arguments at final status conference, maximum possible verdict for plaintiff was reduced to $60,000. Case settled same day., 2013
- Persuaded party claiming business joint venture with client to abandon claim for no compensation, 2012
- Persuaded plaintiff to abandon its lawsuit against client without even filing answer., 2012
- Obtained order vacating default judgment more than six months after entry based upon defects in service of process, affirmed on appeal. In related case, procured complete dismissal of all claims against client plus an award of attorneys’ fees for the prior appeal under FRCP 41(d)., 2012
- Obtained two judgments of non-dischargeability in Bankruptcy Court for willful trademark infringement and breach of fiduciary duty., 2012
- Retained as trial counsel ten days before trial. After three-week trial, jury returned a $14.4 million verdict against all defendants, comprised of awarding client ownership of art valued at $6 million plus $8.4 million in compensatory damages., 2012
- Obtained judgment of disinheritance and award of attorneys’ fees in probate dispute. Obtained vacation of judgment against foreign national based upon novel interpretation of the Hague Convention. Obtained dismissal of clients in complex breach of fiduciary duty case., 2011
- Obtained judgment against petitioner in Probate Court after 5-day trial. Based on proof that purported amendment to trust was forged, client’s petition to disinherit petitioner was granted., 2010
- Co-lead counsel in Kara Technology v. Stamps.com, $120 million patent case resulting in verdict in client’s favor after three-week jury trial., 2010
- After three-week trial, obtained defense judgment on contract and securities claims, and award of $1.8 million plus attorneys’ fees on cross-complaint for usury and alter ego liability., 2009
- Co-lead counsel in trade secrets and patent ownership case involving diesel emission reduction technology. Case settled during arbitration for confidential amount., 2008
- Obtained multi-million dollar judgment (upheld on appeal) in favor of foreign investor in U.S. company, including findings of alter ego liability., 2007
- Obtained multi-million dollar settlements in favor of Japanese client in dispute over proceeds from investment fund., 2006
- Successfully represented Japanese clients in jury trial over stock ownership in U.S. subsidiary of Japanese company, resulting mid-trial settlement granting clients all stock rights., 2005
- Obtained multi-million dollar settlement after six-week jury trial in trademark and trade secret case., 2004
- Obtain injunction against attempts by the Regents of the University of California to sell a landmark Japanese garden they had promised to preserve; affirmed on appeal.
- Obtained multi-million dollar settlement in favor of shareholder client making Ahmanson claims against former partner.
Practice Areas
- Business Litigation
- Business & Commercial Law
- Intellectual Property Law
- Litigation & Appeals
- Personal Injury — Plaintiff
Bar Admissions
- California, 1987
Honors
- Selected To Super Lawyers: 2012 – 2021
- Named as a Top Attorney in the Region, by Pasadena Magazine
- Cum Laude; AmJur Awards; FLAS Fellowship, University of Michigan, 1984
- Selected as a Top-Rated Lawyer (Southern California), by The American Lawyer Magazine
- Recognized for excellence in trial advocacy after jury verdict of $14 million., Certificate of Excellence in Trial Advocacy, Mayor of Lancaster, 2012