John Kessler concentrates his practice on complex business litigation in state and federal courts nationwide and before arbitration panels. His trial and litigation experience includes representing companies and individuals in disputes involving breach of contract, commercial real estate, business divorces, fraud, securities violations, and director and officer liability. John’s practice covers all phases of litigation, from pre-suit negotiations through trial and appeal. Above all, John looks for creative ways to help clients achieve their business objectives, whether through the litigation process or by avoiding it.
Prior to joining the firm, John was Of Counsel at Blank Rome LLP, an Am Law 100 firm.
During law school, John interned for the New York State Attorney General’s Organized Crime Task Force and served as an associate editor for the Fordham Environmental Law Review.
HONORS & RECOGNITION
- 2024–2025, “Ones to Watch,” Commercial Litigation, listed in Best Lawyers in America
- 2015–2025, New York “Rising Star” in Business Litigation, listed in Super Lawyers
- Received the Outstanding Team Award (two-person team) at Blank Rome LLP’s 2024 Trial Academy where the firm’s senior litigation associates compete against each other in mock jury trials before retired federal and state judges
ADMISSIONS
- New York
- New Jersey
- U.S. District Court – Southern District of New York
- U.S. District Court – Eastern District of New York
- U.S. District Court – District of New Jersey
EDUCATION
- Fordham University School of Law, JD
- Ithaca College, BA, magna cum laude
Representative Matters
Representative Experience
- Represented officers and directors of a manufacturing entity in an action to recover more than $400 million in assets related to alleged breaches of fiduciary duty and fraudulent transfers.
- Represented a global beverage company in an action brought by a competitor alleging theft of trade secrets and corporate espionage.
- Represented a global manufacturer accused of fraud and breach of contract related to the sale of millions of allegedly defective N95 respirators during the COVID-19 pandemic.
- Represented a defense contractor accused of violating the False Claims Act and defrauding the U.S. government related to security and logistics contracts in Iraq and Afghanistan.
- Represented a multinational real estate company in numerous retail leasing disputes related to one of New York City’s largest transit hubs.
- Represented a commercial real estate developer in a contract dispute with its joint venture partner related to the construction of a large mixed-use building in Manhattan, obtaining summary judgment.
- Represented the co-owners of a hotel in a dispute with their business partners concerning loan agreements, personal guarantees, and capital contributions.
- Represented commercial real estate developers in numerous zoning and land use appeals under the applicable Zoning Code and related regulations.
- Represented a private company in a three-week jury trial in federal court involving claims for fraud and civil violations of the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act (RICO).
- Represented a bank in a putative class action alleging civil RICO violations related to the bank’s alleged participation in a fraudulent tax sale scheme, obtaining dismissal at the pleading stage.
- Represented an investor in an action for breach of stock purchase agreements, obtaining a full recovery on summary judgment.
- Represented a leading renewable energy company accused of manipulating financial data to inflate the company’s valuation related to the sale of the company to certain investors.
- Represented the CEO of a public company in a putative class action and parallel derivative actions brought by shareholders alleging violations of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.
- Represented an international pharmaceutical research and development company accused of breaching a license agreement for certain patent rights related to the development and commercialization of a new injectable medication.