John is a lifelong resident of Marin County. After serving in the Army, John returned home and completed his under grad degree in Political Science from California State University Sonoma. He went on the pursue his law degree at the University of San Francisco. John graduated with honors in 1972 McAuffe Honors Society, a member of the Moot Court board, a teaching assistant, and director of the Criminal Appeals Project. After graduation John served as assistant Dean at the Law School until leaving for private practice in 1976. Following gradation John joined the San Anselmo Fire Department as a volunteer. He engaged in active firefighting for the department for 34 years. During this time, John was asked to assist the members of his fire department with negotiating their labor contract. It was during this process that he met members of the Marin Professional Firefighters Association. The next year the IAFF Local 1775 asked John to assist them in organizing the fire departments in Marin County. At that time the Local had about 20 members. John has stayed on as General Counsel for the Local 1775 for five decades and the Local now represents over 500 firefighters and all nine of the fire departments in Marin County. John has personally handled well over 500 disability retirements, up to and including trial and appeal in numerous counties, at the state level and in front of private plans established in Charter Cities. John has also personally negotiated over 100 labor contracts for firefighters in Marin and other California counties.

John has served two terms at the Marin County Bar Association Board of Directors

For five years he was Chair of the Client Relations Committee for the Marin County Bar Association.

In addition to his volunteer fire service he has served the town of San Anselmo as a member of the Fiscal Advisory Committee

He has participated in the selection of the Fire Chief for San Anselmo (later Ross Valley) Fire Department on two separate occasions. 

He has served on the board of directors of:

  - The Drake High Scholarship Foundation

  - Marin Community Resources

  - Alcohol Counsel of Marin