John Constance

John Constance defends pharmaceutical companies in product liability litigation, including claims related to chemotherapy, anti-depression and over-the-counter drugs, among others. His work has included drafting briefs and motions, responding to discovery requests and managing discovery efforts in state and federal cases as well as multidistrict litigation.

John’s motion practice has resulted in the successful dismissal of parties from complex cases as well as the defense of removals to federal court. In addition to his pharmaceutical drug work, he has represented individuals and companies in Securities and Exchange Commission investigations.

John also has significant experience with electronic discovery, including helping to draft an electronic discovery manual for a large corporation, creating data remediation proposals aimed at minimizing storage costs for a health care company and an online transportation network company, and advising a company on the release of litigation holds.

John values his pro bono work. In one case, he persuaded an immigration court in Virginia to grant asylum to his North African client, who asserted asylum from a terrorist group. The federal government initially contested the asylum claim but ultimately agreed with John’s position after a hearing on the matter.

Before joining Shook, John worked with the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Illinois as a special assistant U.S. attorney in the Fraud and Corruption Section. In this position, he managed numerous criminal prosecutions and argued before the Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals. While pursuing his L.L.M. in national security law, John served as a law intern in the Criminal Division, Fraud Section of the U.S. Department of Justice.

Education:

• L.L.M., with distinction, Georgetown University Law Center, 2014 (National Security Law)
• J.D., magna cum laude, University of Missouri – Columbia School of Law, 2012
  • Order of the Coif
  • Missouri Law Review, Lead Articles Editor
  • Judge Shepard Barkley Prize (awarded to the 3L class member with highest standing in scholarship and moral leadership)
• B.A., College of William and Mary, 2009 (Public Policy)

Bar Admissions:

• Missouri
• District of Columbia
• U.S. District Court, Southern District of Illinois
• U.S. Court of Appeals, Seventh Circuit

Community Involvement:

• Boy Scouts of America, Eagle Scout (Troop 173, Independence, Missouri)
• Rotary Club of Federal City

Clerkships:

• Supreme Court of Missouri, The Hon. Laura Denvir Stith (2012-13)