Education
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Yale Law School, L.L.B., 1969
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Dartmouth College, A.B., 1966
Bar Admissions
Court Admissions
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United States Supreme Court
Awards and Honors
- Winner, The Burton Award for Legal Writing Achievement, 2004
- Special Commendation, U.S. Department of Transportation
- Member, Clinton-Gore Transition Team, 1992
- Numerous awards, Washington Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights, for work on a successful class-action civil rights case
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During his many years of practice, John Oberdorfer has established himself as an extraordinary practitioner at handling complex domestic and international disputes. His many successful cases demonstrate his ability to work in uncharted waters and develop new and creative arguments and solutions. He prides himself on communicating complex issues in a straightforward, understandable, and persuasive way.
Mr. Oberdorfer’s prime areas of concentration are complex civil and government investigations and disputes (both in the U.S. and internationally), the defense of securities accounting cases, and class actions. He has represented non-U.S. clients at the World Bank and in litigation in U.S. courts. Having completed an ICC Institute Masterclass for arbitrators, Mr. Oberdorfer has represented clients in arbitration disputes, and has also advised and spoken about arbitration issues.
He has successfully litigated Fifth Amendment “takings” cases, as well as First Amendment commercial speech cases. In his securities defense work, he represents clients before the SEC, in court cases brought by the SEC, and in shareholder class actions. He has represented both plaintiffs and defendants in class actions. Mr. Oberdorfer chaired Patton Boggs’ litigation department for many years and has served on the firm’s Executive Committee.
Representative Matters:
Arbitration:
- Prevailed in U.S. arbitration of contract dispute.
- Settled international arbitration matter.
Investigations:
- Defended two major non-U.S. companies in debarment actions before the World Bank Sanctions Committee. Defended a U.S. company in a USAID Inspector General’s investigation.
Securities Litigation and SEC Investigations:
Defended a CEO in a class action and a chief accounting officer in a case in federal court brought by the SEC. In a securities fraud class action against a chief financial officer, persuaded court to dismiss the matter prior to any discovery. Representation of corporate officers and employees before the SEC and in class actions.
Class Actions:
Successfully settled a class action for a pipeline operator in litigation stemming from an oil spill. For a major home insurance company, won dismissal of class action case (8th Circuit), and successfully settled claims under the Fair Housing Act brought by the Department of Justice and a private class. Won class action for minority construction workers seeking union membership.
Constitutional Law:
- Filed amicus brief for 21 Members of Congress on unconstitutionality of state laws restricting sale of out-of-state wine.
- Represented advertising trade associations in a First Amendment challenge to the Food and Drug Administration’s tobacco advertising rules; the Supreme Court nullified the rules when it declared that the agency has no jurisdiction over tobacco.
- Won declaration by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 1st Circuit that a Massachusetts law requiring manufacturers of tobacco products to publicly disclose product ingredients violates the Fifth Amendment because it would take the companies’ trade secrets without compensation.
Professional Affiliations:
American Bar Association, Section on International Law
Board Member, United Planning Organization
DC Bar Association, Litigation Section
Board Member, Metropolitan Washington Airports Task Force
Trustee, Washington Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law
Officer and Board Member, Patton Boggs Foundation
Board Member, Council for Court Excellence
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