John Brinkerhoff

John Brinkerhoff is an appellate advocate who develops winning legal strategies for clients, both on appeal and when shaping trial court records. He is a former law clerk to Justice Samuel A. Alito Jr. and a member of Jones Day's nationally recognized Issues & Appeals Practice.

John has led pivotal briefing for Jones Day teams. Representative results include: won summary judgment defeating a $200 million ERISA claim against a major energy company, then secured affirmance in the Eighth Circuit; developed the legal strategy that secured dismissal of a $500 million deceptive practices lawsuit against a major hotel chain; obtained an Eleventh Circuit decision holding that several commonly alleged injuries are self-inflicted, significantly tightening standing requirements in lawsuits alleging statutory violations; secured a favorable Fourth Circuit ruling confirming the ability of firms facing major potential asbestos liability to seek bankruptcy protection following restructuring; and designed the legal strategy for and litigated a lawsuit by a rabbi alleging religious discrimination in homeowners' association policies and after a successful oral argument, John secured a favorable settlement involving policy changes and nearly $1 million in damages.

John currently serves as lead counsel in several matters, including a pathbreaking lawsuit under the Freedom of Access to Clinic Entrances Act challenging organized disruptions to worship services. John is also lead counsel in a Tenth Circuit appeal raising First Amendment challenges to mandatory bar association membership, a Seventh Circuit appeal on behalf of a criminal defendant, and a Federal Circuit appeal defending federal survivor benefits policies for servicemember spouses.