John M. Conlon

John Conlon is a co-leader of Mayer Brown's Commercial Litigation practice. John's litigation and arbitration practice is particularly wide-ranging.  He has significant experience in disputes that involve bankruptcy, judgment enforcement, commodities, banking, securities, hotels, construction, real estate, employment, contracts, and intellectual property claims.  John has frequently represented clients in state and federal courts across the country as well as in international and domestic arbitrations.  He also counsels clients on drafting and structuring transactions to reduce litigation exposure. John recently completed a two week trial in the District of Las Vegas, obtaining a $60 million judgment in his client's favor on piercing the corporate veil and fraudulent conveyance claims. Areas of specialty include:

Securities Litigation and Investigation – Advising corporations, underwriters, accounting firms, corporate officers and directors in securities class actions, derivative actions, arbitrations and SEC investigations.  John led the defense of a series of high profile RMBS litigations on behalf of HSBC. Clients include HSBC, the Trustees of Oppenheimer Mutual Funds, Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce, Twin Labs and Grant Thornton.

Banking, Private Equity and Financial Institution Litigation – Representing banks, private equity investors and financial institutions in litigations and arbitrations involving claims for breach of contract, lender liability, letter of credit disputes, collateral debt obligations, residential mortgage backed securities, derivatives, commodities futures trading, unauthorized trading and SWAP agreements.  Clients include DZ Bank, Lehman Brothers, Chase Manhattan Bank, Morgan Stanley, Invesco, Fortis, ABN AMRO, Bank of Nova Scotia, the Jordan Companies and Nomura Capital.

Real Estate and Construction - Representing property owners and contractors and governments in disputes over property rights, construction contracts, sales agreements and tax abatements. Clients include Starwood Capital, Morgan Stanley, Lincoln West Partners. W.S. Atkins, the Panama Canal Authority and the Government of Pakistan.

Bankruptcy – Representing creditors and debtors in adversary proceedings and plan confirmation hearings, representing trustees in the investigation and prosecution of claims. Clients include the Joint Administers of Maxwell Communications Corporation, Bank of Montreal, Fleet Capital, Nomura Capital, Bank of Nova Scotia, Generale Bank, CIBC and Bucyrus Erie.

Intellectual Property, Technology, Licensing and Non-Compete Agreements – Representing clients in disputes over use of intellectual property and technology, including claims for breach of contract, copyright and trademark infringement, confidentiality agreements and non-compete agreements.  Clients include Sensus, Ziff Davis Media, New York Stock Exchange, Panera Bread, Brand Industries and Terrapinn Financial Training.

Hotel Litigation – Representing hotel owners and management companies in disputes over management agreements, franchise agreements, property leases and service contracts.  Clients include Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Westin Hotels and Al Anwa USA.

John joined Mayer Brown in 1996. Previously, he was associated with another prominent firm in New York. Earlier, he served as law clerk to the Honorable Kevin T. Duffy of the US District Court for the Southern District of New York. In addition to his trial skills, John is proficient in German.