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Biography

John co-leads the Data Security & Privacy Team at FBT Gibbons, helping clients effectively manage data and the corresponding risks and responsibilities throughout the information life cycle.  For nearly 20 years, clients have relied on John to provide practical, actionable advice and solutions for a broad range of data privacy and security issues, including all aspects of federal, state, local and international legal and operational compliance; incident readiness, response, investigation and notification; AI implementation, governance and contracting; data processing, data transfer, and other third-party agreements; regulatory inquiries and enforcement; privacy and security assessments; and litigation and alternative dispute resolution (ADR) proceedings. In addition, John assists clients with cyber insurance coverage, policies, and endorsements; best practices to mitigate cyber risks and exposures; due diligence for regulatory compliance; and data security training for employees. John is a frequent speaker and author on data privacy and security topics and AI governance and implementation.

John also has extensive experience representing clients on insurance coverage matters. He has been included on the Best Lawyers® list for Insurance law, including its “Lawyers of the Year” list (Newark, NJ), as well as the New Jersey Super Lawyers list for Insurance Law. He has litigated matters involving hundreds of millions of dollars in insurance coverage for a broad range of clients and regularly provides strategic counseling and analysis of potential risks and exposures, policy terms and conditions, and claims resolution.

John's Relevant Experience

Privacy & Data Security Matters

  • Currently serving as long-term outside privacy counsel to a Fortune 500 company on U.S. and international privacy, cybersecurity, website operations and compliance, data processing and governance, and privacy-related litigation and dispute resolution.
  • Provided regulatory compliance counseling for privacy, consent, biometrics, employee monitoring, and related issues in connection with the installation of dash-cams in fleet vehicles recording audio and video in the cab of the vehicle, as well as forward-facing video and vehicle operations data. Developed a company-wide policy for nationwide implementation and maintenance of the program.
  • Counseling on e-commerce operations, policies, and procedures for over 15 different websites, including review, assessment, audit, and analysis of data collection, use, storage, and destruction practices in the U.S. and Canada.
  • Developed privacy and security programs, incident response plans, vendor processes, data transfer documents, and consumer-facing notices for a broad range of clients with US, EU, UK, Canadian, HIPAA, DFARS, GLBA, NYDFS CCPA/CPRA and other state privacy obligations.
  • Counseled global electronics company on appropriate use of tracking technologies under various US regulatory requirements for collecting and processing customer data, development of policies and practices governing mobile app collection, use and storage of data, and development of employee training materials for US privacy compliance obligations
  • Advised a global pharmaceutical company concerning a Master Agreement with a payment processor, including terms and conditions for compliance with regulations for customer and patient data and scope of indemnification for data security incidents. Following implementation of the Master Agreement in the US, assisted with “roll out” and regulatory compliance in various countries globally, including the UK and the EU.
  • Represented a large direct sales client with a large independent contractor sales force, providing enterprise-wide counseling on data privacy and security issues, including data protection issues arising from use of off-shore call centers for customer service.
  • Regular representation of a broad range of clients (both existing and new) with incident response activities for a range of security compromises, including ransomware, business email compromise, fraudulent transfer of funds, supply chain attacks, insider threats, lost devices, and confidential/proprietary data exfiltration. Clients include large and small public and private companies, public entities, and non-profit organizations, with the full range of personal data, Personal Health Information, sensitive data, company confidential data, and third-party data. Services typically include leading the incident investigation and response, preparation of internal and external statements about the incident and response activities, analysis, oversight and completion of notification obligations, analysis and completion of federal and state regulatory reporting requirements, cooperation with federal and local law enforcement, and regular briefing of senior executives on status and strategy recommendations.

Insurance Coverage Matters

  • As specially retained appellate counsel, obtained the reversal of a multimillion-dollar summary judgment award against the firm’s clients – the policyholder and its liability insurer – because the adversary lacked standing to prosecute its claims for indemnification, both directly and under the applicable policy.
  • Served as lead counsel for the firm in a confidential, three-week international arbitration in London under the English Arbitration Act commenced by a policyholder seeking $90 million of insurance coverage for personal injury claims arising out of the use of prescription medication.
  • Obtained dismissal with prejudice of all claims by all parties against an insurer client, after extensive motion practice before the trial court and several appellate arguments, seeking to impose liability (directly and as co-insurers) in excess of $5 million for damages arising out of a construction site accident.
  • Obtained a multimillion-dollar insurance recovery for a claim based on construction defects and property damage to the substructure of residential units and a parking garage, as insurance coverage counsel for condominium development owners.
  • Successfully negotiated the resolution of coverage disputes on behalf of an international financial services company arising out of multi-million dollar losses caused by a former employee.
  • Obtained insurance coverage under EPL policies for financial services company after insurer denied coverage for multiple lawsuits and claims alleging harassment and discrimination by a senior executive.
  • Represented a prominent university in New Jersey in successfully negotiating the resolution of an insurance coverage dispute with various insurers of a general contractor and subcontractors, concerning insurance coverage for construction defects in connection with major renovations to a campus facility.
  • Obtained dismissal with prejudice of all claims asserted against an insurer client for alleged extra-contractual damages under a D&O policy for defense and potential liability of individual directors and officers for Fair Labor Standards Act violations.

Reported Decisions/Matters

  • Marshall v. Raritan Valley Disposal, 2012 N.J. Super. Unpub. LEXIS 544 (App. Div. 2012)
  • V. Mane Fils S.A. v. Int’l Flavors & Fragrances, Inc., 2010 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 45645 (D.N.J. May 6, 2010)
  • V. Mane Fils S.A. v. International Flavors and Fragrances, Inc., 249 F.R.D. 152 (D.N.J. 2008)
  • Marshall v. Raritan Valley Disposal, 398 N.J.Super. 168 (App. Div. 2008
  • Huthmacher v. Dunlop Tire Corp., 28 A.D.3d 1166, 815 N.Y.S.2d 385 (4th Dept. 2006)
  • Allianz Underwriters Ins. Co. v. Landmark Ins. Co., 13 A.D.2d 172, 787 N.Y.S.2d 15 (1st Dept. 2006)
  • Wakefern Food Corp. v. Chestnut Hill Plaza Holding Corp., 2001 Del. Ch. LEXIS 61, 2001 WL 515069 (Del. Ch. 2001)
  • Rappoport v. Steven Spielberg, Inc., 16 F.Supp.2d 481 (D.N.J. 1998)
  • New Jersey Coalition Against War in the Middle East v. J.M.B. Realty Corp., 138 N.J. 326 (N.J. 1994), 266 N.J.Super. 159 (App. Div. 1993), 266 N.J.Super. 195 (Ch. Div. 1991)
  • Statewide Realty Co. v. Fidelity Management and Research Co., Inc., 259 N.J.Super. 59 (L. Div. 1992)

Other Info About John

Education

Law School

Fordham University School of Law, J.D.

  • Member, Fordham Law Review
  • American Jurisprudence Award, Federal Courts

Undergraduate School

Boston College, Carroll School of Management, B.S., cum laude

Clerkships

John served as a clerk for the court(s) and judge(s) below:

Law clerk to the Honorable Nicholas H. Politan, United States District Court for the District of New Jersey

Bar Memberships

John is licensed to practice in the following state(s):

New Jersey

New York

Courts

John is admitted to practice before the following court(s):

United States District Court for the District of New Jersey

United States District Court for the Southern District of New York

United States Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit

Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit

Supreme Court of the United States

Recognition

Local & National Recognition

Award Selection Methodology

Recognized by Best Lawyers®, 2026-2027 Editions: Commercial Litigation; Insurance Law

Recognized by Best Lawyers®:“Lawyer of the Year,” Insurance in Newark, NJ (2014 Edition)

Included on the New Jersey Super Lawyers list, Insurance Coverage, 2006-2007, 2013-2018, 2020-2025

Included on the Martindale-Hubbell AV® Peer Review Rated List

Professional Affiliations

Professional Affiliations & Memberships

International Association of Privacy Professionals; Certified Information Privacy Professional/United States (CIPP/US)

Future of Privacy Forum (FPF)

Essex County Bar Association

New Jersey State Bar Association

  • AI Committee, Member
  • Legislative Committee, Member
  • Privacy Law Committee, Member and Legislative Coordinator
  • Insurance Law Section, Member and Legislative Coordinator
  • President’s Task Force on Artificial Intelligence in the Law, 2023-2024

Association of the Federal Bar of New Jersey

American Bar Association

New Jersey Business and Industry Association

William J. Brennan, Jr. Inn of Court Trial Program

District V-A Ethics Committee

Civic Activities

Civic & Charitable Organizations

Elder, Presbyterian Church at New Providence

New Providence Board of Education

  • President, 2011-2014
  • Member, 2002-2011

New Providence Downtown Alliance

United Way of Summit and New Providence

  • Fund Distribution Committee

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