John R. Whitefleet

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With a varied background from military service to bartending, John believes that when approaching legal issues, the practical approach is best. His litigation practice focuses on defense of public entities and their employees, with a focus on police practices. John is never left bored by the variety of issues that arise, ranging from fatal car accidents to a fallen tree.

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Since joining Porter Scott in 2003, John’s litigation practice has focused on defending governmental entities and employees in civil rights and employment related cases including unlawful search and seizure, use of force, dangerous condition of property, wrongful death, and wrongful termination.  He has successfully handled numerous cases involving constitutional claims under the federal and California constitutions, as well as federal and state law claims brought under the following statutes: 42 U.S.C. section 1983, Title VII, the Fair Employment & Housing Act,  the Americans with Disabilities Act, and the Unruh and Bane Acts.

Education

California Western School of Law (J.D., 2000)

  • Dean’s List
  • American Jurisprudence Award for Trial Practice

Arizona State University (B.A., 1998)

  • Graduated Summa Cum Laude
  • Golden Key National Honor Society
  • Phi Alpha Delta

U.S. Army (1986 – 93)

  • Specially assigned to OSIA (now DTRA)
  • Recipient of National Defense Meritorious Service Medal 1993
Practice Areas Admitted to Practice
  • All California State Courts
  • United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit
  • United States District Court for the Eastern District of California
  • United States District Court for the Northern District of California
  • United States District Court for the Southern District of California

Professional Memberships & Awards

  • Federal Bar Association

Languages

  • Conversant in Russian

Representative Trials

  • Beckway v. Deshong et al. [Civil Rights/Excessive Force]
  • Askew v. County of El Dorado, et al. [Civil Rights/Excessive Force]
  • Barnes v. County of Sutter, et al. [Civil Rights/Eighth Amendment]
  • Brockmeier v. County of Solano, et al. [Civil Rights/Unlawful Entry and Search/Fourteenth Amendment]
  • Sidetracked v. County of Lake Sanitation District, et al. [Inverse Condemnation]

Representative Appeals

  • Saunders v. County of Sacramento (9th Cir. 2012), Unpublished Judgment of Dismissal Affirmed
  • Davila v. City of Tracy, et al. (9th Cir. 2011), Unpublished Opinion
  • James v. County of Butte (9th Cir. 2010), Unpublished Opinion
  • Multi Denominational Ministry of Cannabis and Rastafari Inc., et al. v. Michael B. Mukasey et al. (9th Cir. 2010), Unpublished Opinion
  • Temple v. Adams, et al. (9th Cir. 2010), Unpublished Opinion
  • Gillham v. County of Lake, et al., First District Court of Appeal (2010), Unpublished Opinion
  • Valadez v. County of Sierra, et al., Third District Court of Appeal (2010), Unpublished Opinion
  • McNeely v. County of Sacramento (9th Cir. 2009), Unpublished Opinion, Cert. Denied (2010)
  • Johnson v. Lewis (2004) 120 Cal.App.4th 443
  • Mortenson v. County of Sacramento (9th Cir. 2004), 386 F.3d 1082