John is a Florida native, is a partner in the Sarasota office of Shutts & Bowen LLP, where he practices in the areas of commercial real estate, banking and business law. He received his B.A. degree from Duke University and his J.D. degree from the University of Florida, where he was member of the law review. He is a member of The Florida Bar, and served on its Board of Governors from 1995 to 1999. He served on the board of The Florida Bar Foundation from 2004-2014, and was president in 2013-14. He was appointed by the governor to the Second District Court of Appeal Nominating Committee, and previously served on and chaired the Twelfth Judicial Circuit Nominating Commission. He is a past president of the Sarasota County Bar Association and has served on numerous state and local bar committees. Locally, he is active in civic and political affairs and has served on the boards of civic, charitable and cultural organizations. He presently serves on the boards of Shands Teaching Hospital and Clinics, Inc., The Innocence Project of Florida, Inc., Tiger Bay Club of Sarasota, Inc., Legal Aid of Manasota, Inc., and he is a trustee of the Florida Bar Foundation Endowment. His wife, Nora, is a former mayor of the city of Sarasota, and served for 24 years on the city and county commissions.
