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O'Sullivan, John

John F. O'Sullivan

Partner

johnosullivan@quinnemanuel.com
Direct Tel: +1 (305) 439-5008
Miami
Tel: +1 (305) 402-4880 Fax: +1 (305) 901-2975

John O’Sullivan is co-managing partner of the firm’s Miami office.  Chambers USA client reviews say John is: “brilliant at breaking down complex problems so they are easy to understand,” “fantastic on his feet,” “probably the best legal writer I have ever worked with,” an “excellent trial lawyer,” and “John is the best Florida lawyer money can buy. When I walk into any dispute with John by my side, everyone thinks twice.”

John is a Fellow of the International Academy of Trial Lawyers, recognized as the most prestigious organization of trial lawyers in the world, and is included in all of the major guides identifying the top US trial lawyers.  The 2024 edition of Best Lawyers in America named John its “Lawyer of the Year” for the category Litigation: Banking and Finance in New York City (where he is also barred).  John has been recognized as a “Litigation Star” (one of the preeminent litigation practitioners in the US) by Benchmark Litigation, as a Leading Plaintiffs Financial Lawyer for Commercial Litigation by Lawdragon, and as a “Litigator of the Week” by The AmLaw Litigation Daily.

John is dedicated to pro bono: the Legal Aid Society, Voices for Children, and numerous other legal services organizations have recognized John for his efforts on behalf of pro bono clients. In addition to his law practice, John teaches Advanced Civil Procedure at The University of Miami School of Law and also serves as a Senior Fellow at the UM Center for Ethics and Public Service.  Following law school, John served as a law clerk for the Honorable William H. Timbers on the United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit.

  • Won pathbreaking preliminary injunction from the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida on behalf of Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings, enabling its cruise ships to sail as planned, with proof that all passengers are fully vaccinated, notwithstanding a Florida statute that prohibits businesses from requiring that customers supply COVID-19 vaccine documentation.  
  • Won dismissal with prejudice of claims brought by Florida cities against banks seeking billions in damages for lost tax revenue in litigation ultimately heard by the U.S. Supreme Court.
  • Prevailed in multi-jurisdiction litigation over ownership of real estate and financial assets valued at nearly US$1b.
  • Represented a minority shareholder with an interest in the subsidiary of a publicly-traded, international cannabis company valued at $4b in a suit seeking dissolution of the entity for shareholder oppression.  Prevailed after an 8-day trial proceeding in New York, resulting in a buy-out of the client’s interest at a materially higher valuation than previously offered.
  • Obtained preliminary injunction for life sciences client preserving more than US$1b in sales.
  • Won at trial for consumer products company in dispute over ownership of formulas for client's best-selling products.
  • Obtained dismissal with prejudice of securities claims seeking US$190m against a ratings agency alleging fraudulently inflated RMBS ratings.
  • Obtained one of the largest sanctions awards on record in Florida based on showing that principal of opposing party gave false deposition testimony.
  • Litigation counsel for clients in connection with many of the most prominent real estate assets in South Florida.
  • Represented an international financial consulting firm in extensive litigation related to the third-largest Ponzi scheme in American history.  After proceedings in federal bankruptcy court, federal district court, and before the Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals, won dismissal with prejudice of claims seeking hundreds of millions of dollars in damages.
  • Obtained a dismissal with prejudice for a major Japanese bank in a US$200m lender liability suit arising from Florida real estate investments.
  • Obtained a nationwide permanent injunction on behalf of a major broadcasting network in a copyright infringement suit against a satellite TV provider.
  • The George Washington University Law School
    (J.D., with honors, 1988)
    Trustee Scholar
    Member, George Washington Law Review
  • University of Massachusetts Amherst
    (B.A., cum laude, 1985)
  • University of Sussex
    (Economics & International Relations Program, 1984)
  • The State Bar of Florida
  • The State Bar of New York
  • United States District Court:
    • Middle District of Florida
    • Northern District of Florida
    • Southern District of Florida
    • Southern District of New York
    • District of Minnesota
  • United States Court of Appeals:
    • Second Circuit
    • Seventh Circuit
    • Eighth Circuit
    • Eleventh Circuit
    • Federal Circuit
  • United States Bankruptcy Court:
    • Middle District of Florida
    • Northern District of Florida
    • Southern District of Florida
    • District of South Dakota
  • United States Supreme Court
  • Hogan Lovells LLP:
    • Partner, 2005-2021
  • Akerman LLP:
    • Partner, 1998-2005
  • Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison LLP:
    • Associate, 1989-1998
  • Law Clerk for the Honorable William H. Timbers:
    • United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit
  • Named a Lawdragon 500 Leading Plaintiff Financial Lawyers for Commercial Litigation, 2023, 2024
  • Named a United States “Litigation Star” by Benchmark Litigation, 2022 -2024
  • Best Lawyers in America, Litigation: Banking and Finance - “Lawyer of the Year” in New York City, 2022, Commercial Litigation, Banking and Finance Litigation, Real Estate Litigation, 2023
  • Chambers USA, Litigation: General Commercial (Florida), 2009-2013, 2017-2024 ("an excellent trial lawyer", "truly excellent, probably the best legal writer I have ever worked with")
  • Best Lawyers in America, Commercial Litigation, 2010-2025
  • Best Lawyers in America, Litigation: Banking and Finance, 2010-2025
  • Best Lawyers in America, Litigation: Real Estate, 2010-2025
  • Named "Litigator of the Week” by The AmLaw Litigation Daily, 2021
  • Florida Super Lawyers, Business Litigation, 2008-2013, 2017-2020
  • Top Rated Lawyers, Commercial Bankruptcy Creditor-Debtor Rights, 2012
  • Super Lawyers: Corporate Counsel, Business Litigation, 2009-2010
  • The Legal Aid Society, Outstanding Volunteer Lawyer Award
  • Voices for Children, Inc., Most Valuable Protector (MVP) Award, 2008
  • 11th Judicial Circuit, Community Advocate of the Year, 2008

Recent News

  • International Academy of Trial Lawyers, Fellow
  • University of Miami Center for Ethics and Public Service, Senior Fellow
  • University of Miami School of Law, Adjunct Professor