From 1977-1993 I was a trial lawyer primarily representing Defendants in various civil litigation matters at Lane Alton & Horst, a law frim based in Columbus, Ohio. At Lane Alton I also served as Trial Department Chair and Client Development Chair and was a member of its Executive and Compensation Committees.
In 1994 ACTL Fellow, Frank A. Ray, and I formed a partnership to primarily represent Plaintiffs in civil litigation matters.
Since 1998 I have owned John M. Alton & Co., LPA. Through 2018 I was a sole practitioner primarily representing plaintiffs in catastrophic injury or wrongful death claims arising out of various forms of negligence or other torts..
In 2019 after serving as a mediator part time since 2008, I transitioned to a more full time mediator role with lawyers and party decision makers throughout Ohio and many other states. I have mediated hundreds of cases involving (a) catastrophic injury or wrongful death arising out of medical negligence, product liability, medical device product liability, trucking and other vehicular collisions, construction site accidents, nursing home negligence, intentional tort, 1983 actions, municipal / political subdivision liability, negligent security and other torts; and (b) commercial litigation including employment, eminent domain, breach of contract, real estate, franchise disputes, CSPA and other business litigation disputes.
In 2020 I was inducted as a member of the National Academy of Distinguished Neutrals.
In 2021-2023 I was recognized as an Ohio Super Lawyer in Alternative Dispute Resolution and named one of the top 50 lawyers in Columbus, Ohio.
From 2004-2020 I was recognized as an Ohio Super Lawyer in Plaintiff medical malpractice.
Between 1977-2016 I tried more than 70 cases as a defense and plaintiff lawyer and presented more than 20 oral arguments in Ohio appellate courts.
Since 1980 I have spoken at seminars more than 40 times on trial practice, ethics, professionalism and mediation and have written several articles for publication on various civil litigation topics.
From 2009-2020 I served on the ACTL State Committee (Ohio), was Vice Chair (2015-2017), Chair (2017-2019) and Ex Officio (2020). In 2021-2023 I served again on Ohio’s State Committee.
In 1996 I was inducted into the American Board of Trial Advocates (ABOTA) and have served on its Ohio Chapter Executive Committee since 2016. I was Ohio Chapter President in 2022 and am its Membership Chair in 2023.
In 2020 I was recognized by Best Lawyers as Professional Malpractice Lawyer of the Year in Columbus, Ohio.
In 1997 I became certified in civil trial advocacy by the National Board of Trial Advocacy (NBTA).
From 1984-1994 I was a member of the International Association of Defense Counsel (IADC).
Company Firm
John M. Alton Co., LPA
Website
Firm Mailing
81 Mill St Ste 300
Gahanna
Ohio
43230-1718
United States of America
Fellow Since
March 18, 2000
Practice Areas
- Arbitration
- Mediation
Chapter
- Ohio
Contact Info