John graduated cum laude from Vanderbilt University in 1970 and served in the United States Navy from 1970 to 1974.  In 1977, following graduation from Vanderbilt Law School, he entered the private practice of law in Nashville, Tennessee. John has been practicing law for 28 years.

      For many years, John has been employed by the local chapter of the FOP to go to the scene of police-involved shootings and other critical incidents to ensure that officers' rights are protected.  He frequently represents officers in disciplinary proceedings and in excessive-force litigation. In addition to representing police officers, John regularly speaks at seminars dealing with law-enforcement and firearms-related topics.  For several years, he has spoken on "Critical Incident Issues" in annual seminars entitled "Police Liability in Tennessee." He has also presented seminars on firearms litigation, and offers a three-hour seminar on ethical issues in firearms litigation.  He is slated to make a presentation to the CALEA Convention on police-related shootings in November of 2005.

      John is also the president of Personal Responsibility, Inc. (PRI), a Tennessee corporation that offers firearms and tactical training to law-enforcement personnel and qualified civilians. 

      A member of the Tennessee Bar Association and the Nashville Bar Association, John is also an associate member of the FOP, ASLET, and IALEFI.