Our People
Experience
Retired after thirty-one years as Executive Director of the Muskingum Watershed Conservancy District (MWCD), John’s return to private practice focuses on water law and the Ohio Conservancy Act. John assists Ohio conservancy districts and other water, conservation, and recreation professionals with legal and policy management issues.
John works with conservancy districts to draft rules and regulations for individual conservancy districts, meet reporting requirements under the Conservancy Court, review and draft lease documents, and assist with district funding, including through maintenance and capital assessment mechanisms
Prior to his time as Executive Director of the MWCD, John was in the private practice of law in New Philadelphia, Ohio, for 10 years, serving as Chief Counsel to the MWCD.
Admissions & Education
Bar Admissions
John is admitted to practice in the State of Ohio, the United States District Court, Northern District of Ohio, the United States District Court, Southern District of Ohio, the United States Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit, and the United States Supreme Court.
Education
- BA, cum laude, from Muskingum University
- JD, Ohio Northern University College of Law
Professional Involvement
- Member of the Ohio River Valley Water Sanitation Commission (ORSANCO), appointed by Ohio Governor Kasich in 2015
- American Bar Association
- Ohio State Bar Association
- Tuscarawas County Bar Association
- Past member of the executive boards of the Water Management Association of Ohio, the Water Resources
- Foundation of Ohio, the Ohio Conservancy District Conference (Past President), and the Ohio Water Advisory Council
Recognition
- Recipient of the Meritorious Public Service Medal from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Great Lakes and Ohio
- River Division, for outstanding dedication and service in 2020.
- Honored by the Ohio Parks and Recreation Association with the Jack Hanna Resource Conservation Award in 2014.
- Recipient of the Commander’s Award for Public Service from John D Rivenburgh, Colonel, Corps of Engineers Commanding, Huntington District, in 2002.
