John's practice is focused upon commercial litigation, including lender-liability lawsuits, securities disputes, trade-secret litigation, and the defense of class-action lawsuits. John also handles trademark and copyright matters for businesses, professional athletes, and entertainment entities, including musical groups and television and film producers. John is licensed to practice before all state and federal courts in North Carolina and has an active practice before the North Carolina Business Court.
Publications
"The NCAA in Federal Court: College Athletes are Calling Foul," by Bob Orr and John O'Hale, was published in the Spring/Summer 2012 issue of USLAW Magazine. Click here.
Representative Experience
Stratton v. Royal Bank of Canada, 712 S.E.2d 221 (N.C. App. 2011) (on brief) - affirming grant of summary judgment in favor of client, on a claim for liability arising out of an expired stock certificate
Hurricanes Hockey LP v. Banks, 5:09-cv-00363 (E.D.N.C. 2010) - granting partial summary judgment in favor of client and finding liability for copyright infringement; the case subsequently settled
Maurice Sporting Goods, Inc. v. American Sportcase, LLC, D2010-0689 (WIPO 2010) - denying the forced transfer of an Internet domain name and granting client’s request to dismiss the complaint
In re: B.G., 701 S.E.2d 324 (N.C. App. 2010) - on fourth appeal to the Court of Appeals, granting client guardian ad litem’s request to dismiss appeal, rev. denied 709 S.E.2d 919 (N.C. Sup Ct. 2011)
Scarborough v. Dillard’s, Inc., 363 N.C. 715 (2009) (on brief) - reversing an award of punitive damages against client
M.J. Soffe Co. v. S-Fashion Taiwan Co., Ltd., T.T.A.B. No. 91182074 (T.T.A.B. 2009) - granting summary judgment in favor of client and denying opposing party’s application to register a federal trademark
Carl v. State of North Carolina, 192 N.C. App. 544 (2008) assisted with appeal against the State of North Carolina and State Health Plan in a class-action lawsuit concerning long-term care insurance; the case subsequently settled
Assisted with the defense of a trade secret lawsuit against major trucking company arising out of the development of in-house technology.
Defended lawsuits relating to noncompete agreements executed by former employees of a computer-component manufacturing company.
Registered trademarks and copyrights on behalf of all manner of businesses, entertainment groups, and professional athletes.
Prosecuted and defended debtor-creditor lawsuits.
Assisted with numerous others types of administrative proceedings, including Certificate of Need litigation, matters before the North Carolina State Personnel Commission, and tax litigation.
read all representative experience
Prior Legal Experience
Before joining Poyner Spruill, John was a Summer Associate with the firm in 2004 and 2005. He also served as a Summer Intern at the Office of the Governor of North Carolina from 2001 to 2003.