John Bowley represents clients in complex litigation and advises individuals, companies, entrepreneurs, activists, artists and other attorneys on strategy, emerging trends and competitive intelligence. He has represented plaintiffs and defendants nationwide in investigations, litigation, trial and the appeal of high stakes matters.  

His current practice focuses on constitutional/civil rights, fraud, catastrophic injury, emerging technology applications, and advising emerging businesses and foundations. Prior to starting his own practice in 2016, John spent 10 years with a boutique litigation firm, where he frequently represented an international steel manufacturer in large loss commercial subrogation matters, responsible for coordinating teams of scientific and forensic experts in complex, highly technical cases. His prior practice also included the defense of professionals (including attorneys, architects, engineers and accountants) in numerous professional liability matters, as well as commercial civil litigation. While much of his prior practice was focused on the representation of corporate entities, he also represented individual plaintiffs in matters that were personal to them, and found that he had a passion and talent for representing personal interests --even against overwhelming odds, whenever they came up against entrenched power structures.    
 
Jury Trials, Notable and Published Cases, and Issues of First Impression

Confidential v. United States Dept. of Transportation, Federal Highway Administration, et al. - (Federal District Court for the Northern District of Illinois) - Drafted temporary restraining order on behalf of a local environmental group, to compel various government agencies to fulfill their obligation under the Endangered Species Act. Government defendants had sought to embark on a highway construction project through woodlands that were among the last remaining habitats for the rusty-patched bumblebee, a critical pollinating species on the brink of extinction.

Confidential v. Rhein Chemie Corp. - (Federal District Court for Eastern District of Michigan, Detroit) - Represented independent Detroit manufacturing business against international chemical company in product liability claim arising from $14 million factory fire. Although the two-week trial ultimately resulted in a defense verdict, the case marked the first instance of statements from the global chemical industry's own public relations initiatives being allowed to go to a Michigan jury as evidence of the applicable industry-wide standard of care.

Little League Baseball, Inc. v. Confidential – (Circuit Court of Cook County) – Obtained dismissal of all fraud and conspiracy charges against two volunteer coaches, wrongfully accused of participating in the 2014 Little League World Series scandal.

Confidential v. Mazda Motor Corporation, et al. – (Circuit Court of Cook County) – Product liability/wrongful death case filed against automobile manufacturer, alleging that manufacturer withheld from American purchasers certain automotive safety equipment which was included as standard equipment on identical vehicles sold in all other global markets. Settled prior to trial for a confidential amount.

Confidential v. JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. - (Circuit Court of Kane County, Illinois) - Represented small business in real estate fraud case against bank. Suit alleged that bank which owned commercial property knowingly withheld true condition of building’s roof to business owner during sale of property. $1.2 million jury verdict for business owner, despite bank’s reliance on “As-Is” provision in sale documents. Jury verdict upheld on appeal, 406 Ill.App.3d 146 (2d Dist. 2010) (case of first impression in Illinois, holding that “As-Is” clause in real estate contract no bar to bringing fraud claim in commercial real estate transactions).

Confidential v. City of Chicago – (Circuit Court of Cook County) – Administrative review action, successfully challenging City’s denial of a firearms permit to a qualified applicant. Decision marked first administrative review defeat for City on challenged portion of municipal ordinance in effect at the time.

Confidential v. Re/Max Professionals Select, et al. – (Circuit Court of DuPage County, Illinois) – Real estate fraud case brought on behalf of homeowners against residential property developers engaged in turnkey “home flipping” operation. Punitive damages award affirmed on appeal, 368 Ill. App. 3d 78 (2d. Dist. 2006).  
 
Confidential v. Green Garden Township, et al. - (Circuit Court of Will County, Illinois) – Wrongful death case brought against Will County township and corporate defendant arising from fatal vehicle collision at uncontrolled rural intersection. Suit alleged that, after a previous fatal crash at the same intersection, area residents had repeatedly asked the township to install warning signs, and that those requests were ignored. Settled prior to trial for $1.26 million.

Confidential v. F.C. Tucker Co., Inc., et al. – (Marion County Superior Court, Indianapolis, Indiana) – Fraud, breach of contract and deceptive practices complaint filed against sellers of home, alleging that sellers concealed presence of toxic mold and water damage from buyers. Settled during trial; confidential settlement paid by three insurance carriers and private funds on behalf of multiple defendants.  

Note: “Settlement” of a case is not to be construed as a finding of culpability against a defendant, nor as an admission of liability by a defendant. The information provided above is for general background purposes only and should not be interpreted to indicate or suggest that a certain result will occur in your specific legal situation.

Outside of the practice of law ...

In 2018 John was one 14 finalists for the Global Challenges Foundation’s New Shape Prize, a competition offering $5 million in awards for progressive ideas on new forms of governance and addressing environmental and other global risks, for his proposal on the application of blockchain transparency principles. The competition’s 14 finalists were flown to Stockholm, Sweden to present their ideas to an international jury, and were selected from over 14,000 registrants from 122 countries, resulting in 2,702 panel-reviewed entries from individuals, universities and think tanks. He went on to serve as co-coordinator for the Foundation's Distributed Ledger Technology Working Group, and currently advises foundations and think tanks on the innovative application of blockchain technology and concepts. In 2019, he was a semi-finalist in the NYC Midnight Screenwriting Challenge, which required participants to turn in a finished screenplay, within eight days of the assignment of a randomly-selected genre, character and subject matter. He enjoys writing, cooking and hiking and resides in Chicago.