J.Hein.jpg

John R. Hein, Partner

Litigation & Dispute Resolution Group and Employment Law Group

Litigation & Dispute Resolution Group and Employment Law Group

John R. Hein focuses his practice on the litigation and resolution of complex business and commercial disputes involving contracts, torts, fraud, and other common law and statutory claims. John’s experience includes securities litigation, financial services litigation, business disputes, and related appellate matters. He also counsels and works with clients on litigation risk management, including conducting confidential internal investigations. John represents individuals and businesses at the trial and appellate levels in state and federal courts around the country, with particular emphasis on effective discovery, fact development, dispositive motion practice, and trial work, as well briefing and arguing appeals. He began his career as a volunteer law clerk to the Honorable John F. Keenan, United States District Court Judge for the Southern District of New York.

John is admitted to practice in New York State, the United States Supreme Court, the United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit, and the United States District Courts for the Southern and Eastern Districts of New York.

EDUCATION

  • • University of Pennsylvania Law School, J.D., 2009
  • • Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania, Certificate in Business and Public Policy, 2009
  • • Harvard College, A.B., Government, magna cum laude, Phi Beta Kappa, 2006

PRACTICE AREAS

  • Commercial Litigation & Arbitration
  • Antitrust Litigation
  • Fixed Income & Structured Products
  • Employment
  • White Collar Litigation and Investigations
  • Securities and Governance Litigation

PROFESSIONAL ASSOCIATIONS

  • Federal Bar Council, Member
  • Regis Bar Association, Member

ILLUSTRATIVE PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

  • Represents various institutional investors and financial entities in actions to recover losses on investments in residential mortgage‐backed securities (“RMBS”).
  • Represents investor in special proceedings for judicial instructions regarding the proper administration of recoveries stemming from modified mortgages in RMBS trust structures.
  • Advises companies in the context of confidential internal corporate investigations, including alleged self-dealing and related financial misconduct.
  • Advises asset managers, investment funds, and other entities in assessing transactional, litigation, and reputational risks associated with potential acquisitions and investments.
  • Advises individuals in employment contract disputes involving non-compete and non-solicitation covenants.
  • Provides legal and commercial analysis of complex litigation matters and risk assessment on prospective cases and claims for third-party funders.
  • Counseled the family of a cyberbullied student on navigating the school’s reporting and investigation procedures, including written complaints, follow‑up meetings, and requests for safety measures and accommodations.
  • Represented credit investment advisor in ongoing disputes concerning LIBOR succession amendments to credit agreements.
  • Represented estate of 50% shareholder in a closely-held corporation before the N.Y. Court of Appeals and the Appellate Division, First Department in actions alleging malpractice, fraud, and breach of fiduciary duties arising from the sale of corporate assets.
  • Represented directors and officers of developer and manufacturer of innovative abuse deterrent opioids in corporate management dispute and in managing related negative publicity.
  • Represented an immunotherapy company in negotiations with a clinical trial services firm in relation to a Critical Information Needs study pending FDA approval.
  • Obtained pre-discovery dismissal of state court employment action alleging age and gender discrimination.
  • Represented multinational producer of alcoholic beverages in connection with government investigations and related class-action suits concerning ethanol emissions from whiskey and rum ageing warehouses.
  • Served on trial team that defended developers against fraud and conspiracy claims relating to a multibillion-dollar hotel and casino development, resulting in favorable settlement on the eve of trial.
  • Represented music corporation in connection with its billion dollar acquisition of the recorded music business of a competitor. After a Second Request and an extensive investigation, the FTC voted 5-0 to close its investigation without requiring divestitures or other remedies.
  • Served as E-discovery counsel for major telecommunications provider in relation to two large class actions involving allegations of unpaid commissions to employees.
  • In cooperation with the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, represented a parent in an international child abduction case proceeding under the Hague Convention on the Civil Aspects of International Child Abduction. Argued before the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit and the Federal District Court for the Southern District of New York. Successfully petitioned the U.S. Supreme Court for a writ of certiorari and persuaded the Solicitor General to support certiorari.
  • In cooperation with the National Veterans Legal Services Program, represented a disabled United States Army veteran of Operation Iraqi Freedom before the Army Board for Correction of Military Records in order to obtain military disability retirement benefits owed.

BAR ADMISSIONS

  • New York
  • United States Supreme Court
  • United States Court of Appeals Second Circuit
  • United States District Court for the Southern District of New York
  • United States District Court for the Eastern District of New York

PUBLICATIONS

Comment: Born in the U.S.A., But Not Natural Born: How Congressional Territorial Policy Bars Native-Born Puerto Ricans from the Presidency, 11 University of Pennsylvania Journal of Constitutional Law 423 (2009), University of Pennsylvania Journal of Constitutional Law 423, 11, 2008

AWARDS & RECOGNITION

  • Named as a “New York Metro Super Lawyer” in Business Litigation by New York Super Lawyers, 2025 *

  • Named as a “Rising Star” in Business Litigation by New York Super Lawyers, 2012-2024 *
  • Recipient of The Burton Foundation Distinguished Legal Writing Award, 2010
  • Recipient of the E. Randolph Williams Award for Outstanding Pro Bono Service, 2011–2014
  • Awarded Empire State Counsel, New York Bar Association, 2010

*Information regarding the selection process undertaken by Super Lawyers can be found here.