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John J. Richardson

Partner & Chair | Litigation

Overview

John (JJ) is a Partner and Chair of WH Burkley’s Litigation Group. JJ has practiced general civil litigation for 25+ years, representing individuals and companies of all sizes in a variety of matters. JJ focuses his practice on solving business problems and resolving business disputes for his clients. Often those problems can only be solved through litigation. When litigation becomes necessary, JJ carefully listens to his clients, understands their objectives, and develops strategies designed to fulfill those objectives in the most timely and cost-effective manner.

JJ has tried cases to verdict in state and federal courts in Pennsylvania and has argued appeals to the Pennsylvania Superior and Commonwealth Courts. JJ appears regularly before the Bankruptcy Courts of Pennsylvania, Ohio and West Virginia in bankruptcy adversary litigation matters. JJ has also tried numerous commercial arbitration matters to a final award. He is admitted to the state and federal courts of Pennsylvania, Ohio and West Virginia and practices regularly in all three states. JJ has represented clients in a variety of industries, including real estate development, oil & gas, manufacturing, consumer products, sports equipment, infant and juvenile products, industrial equipment and machinery, nursing homes, insurance carriers, and school districts and municipalities.

In 2014, J.J. was nominated by the Mayor of Pittsburgh, and confirmed by the City Council, to the City’s three-member Zoning Board of Adjustment (ZBA). As a member of the ZBA, JJ conducts zoning hearings and rules on hundreds of applications for variances and special exceptions from the Pittsburgh Zoning Code each year. He also counsels, advises, and represents real estate developers and individual landowners on zoning and land use matters outside of the City of Pittsburgh boundaries.

Experience

  • Represented the Trustee of a bankrupt financial services company in adversary litigation against former directors and officers, resulting in a nearly two-million dollar recovery for creditors.
  • Represented the Trustee of a bankrupt regional airline in adversary litigation against former directors and officers, resulting in a nearly three-million dollar recovery for creditors.
  • Represented a Pittsburgh-based condominium association in defeating an attempted receivership by a disgruntled Declarant and Unit owner.
  • Represented a Pittsburgh-based aircraft museum in defeating an attempted fraudulent repossession of a vintage military aircraft.
  • Represented minority ownership group of a family-owned real estate development group in defeating attempt by majority owners to fraudulently extract excess distributions and suppress minority ownership rights.

Recognition

  • Best Lawyers – Oil & Gas | 2024-present
  • Best Lawyers – Commercial Litigation | 2024-present
  • Best Lawyers – Litigation – Bankruptcy | 2024-present
  • Super Lawyers – Business Litigation (Pennsylvania)| 2024-present
  • Super Lawyers – Business Litigation “Rising Star” (Pennsylvania) | 2010-2024

Associations

  • American Bar Association | Member
  • Pennsylvania Bar Association | Member
  • Ohio Bar Association | Member
  • Allegheny County Bar Association | Member
  • Pittsburgh Zoning Board of Adjustment | Member
  • Defense Research Institute | Commercial Litigation Committee | Member
  • Big Brothers/Big Sisters of Greater Pittsburgh | Director & Board Chair | 2010 to present
  • Big Brother of the Year | 2019

Education

  • John Carroll University, B.A.
    • cum laude
  • University of Pittsburgh, J.D.
    • University of Pittsburgh Journal of Law and Commerce | Notes Editor