Overview
Since the start of his legal career, John Byron has been involved in significant securities litigation and enforcement matters, internal and government investigations, regulatory litigation, and complex commercial disputes, including ones involving intellectual property rights and companies in the energy industry. He has deep experience assisting companies and their boards with shareholder disputes, whistle-blower complaints, busted-deal litigation, and inquiries from the SEC and CFTC, and is known for his creative approach to addressing legal problems.
John has tried cases in multiple jurisdictions, including in the Delaware Chancery Court and in District Court in Oklahoma. He currently is working on cutting-edge cases, including the defense of an advertising firm in matters related to its role in advertising opioid products by Purdue and a case in which market operators have brought claims against the CFTC based on the closure of a political events contract market.
John has won several notable victories for his clients, including a $30+ million trial judgment, a series of dismissals in multi-jurisdiction litigation, and a ground-breaking injunction against the revocation of no-action relief. John also helped the premium cigar industry obtain complete vacatur of the FDA’s decision to deem premium cigars subject to the Family Smoking Prevention and Tobacco Control Act of 2009.
- Illinois
- District of Columbia
- Texas
- J.D., Wake Forest University School of Law, 2011, magna cum laude
- B.A., Tulane University, 2006, cum laude
Areas of Work
Representative Matters
Commercial and Regulatory Litigation
- Representing companies involved in the aircraft financing industry in significant trademark dispute.
- Representing advertisement firm in multiple matters related to its role in pharmaceutical advertising by Purdue Pharma.
- Representing companies that operate a political events contract market in APA litigation against CFTC.
- Obtained summary judgment for premium cigar industry against FDA in APA litigation, which led to the vacatur of warning requirements, pre-market tobacco review obligations, and all other regulations under the TCA.
- Obtained dismissal of claims against major law firm alleging malpractice in patent prosecution.
- Represented two individuals in APA challenges to Russian oligarch designation by US Treasury Department.
- Obtained dismissal of RICO and state consumer protection claims for pharmaceutical company and affirmance by the Third Circuit.
- Obtained $30+ million judgment after trial in Delaware Chancery Court for private equity firm in asset purchase agreement dispute arising from consequences of COVID-19.
- Representing insurance company in multiple coverage disputes related to COVID-19.
- Representing major real estate companies in commercial disputes with the State of Maryland.
- Obtained TRO for telecommunications provider in dispute with one of the nation's largest hedge funds.
- Represented and obtained favorable settlement after winning significant summary judgment motion for electric utility company in a $2 billion fraudulent transfer and fiduciary duty litigation.
- Obtained summary judgment for international insurance company in purchase agreement earnout dispute.
- Obtained summary judgment for oilfield services company and board in fiduciary duty and Texas Securities Act litigation challenging a restructuring transaction.
- Obtained dismissal of RICO and Robinson-Patman Act claims for a major financial institution.
- Represented international insurance company in class action litigation and coverage disputes.
Securities Litigation and Enforcement
- Represented pharmaceutical company in securities litigation related to statements about a diagnostic drug.
- Secured dismissal of claims against executives of sports equipment manufacturer in fiduciary duty litigation.
- Defended Houston-based oil company and executives in a first-of-its-kind regulatory enforcement action brought by the SEC related to disclosure of hydrocarbon resource estimates.
- Represented board of Canadian exploration and production company in litigation challenging proposed $8.3 billion sale.
- Represented master limited partnership in $400 million merger litigation.
- Represented oil and gas company in investigation conducted by SEC into internal control over financial reporting related to vendor disbursement and wire transfers.
- Represented global supplier of oil and gas production products in investigation conducted by SEC, class action litigation, and derivative litigation related to disclosures about technology product.
- Represented audit committee of oil and gas exploration and production company in connection with SEC investigation into disclosures about an oil and gas reservoir and issues involving oil and gas accounting.
- Represented plastics, chemicals, and refining company in SEC enforcement matter involving allegations of tax and accounting impropriety.
- Represented oil and gas exploration and production company in Delaware-based fiduciary duty litigation.
- Represented minority LLC unitholder in Delaware-based litigation related to breach of LLC agreement.
Commodities Enforcement
- Represented a Futures Commission Merchant and Introducing Broker in investigation conducted by CFTC related to net capital disclosures.
- Represented a commodities trader in investigation conducted by CFTC related to swap deals.
- Represented two brokers in an investigation by CFTC into market manipulation.
White-Collar Crime
- Defended director of a university lab at trial in case involving 22-count indictment involving assertions of bank and wire fraud that resulted in no jail time.
- Successfully represented client in health care fraud investigation.
Antitrust
- Prepared antitrust compliance materials for industry meeting of financial institutions.
- Obtained dismissal of antitrust counterclaims in patent infringement litigation against pavement lifting and soil stabilization company.
- Represented hospital system in antitrust litigation alleging monopolization and illegal restraints of trade.
Anti-Bribery and Anti-Corruption
- Assisted with internal bribery investigation into large telecommunications provider.
- Participated in representation of individual acquitted by jury in SFO bribery prosecution.
- Advised African entity on FCPA liability.
- Assisted in internal investigation of oilfield services company's Brazilian operations.
- Conducted investigation into Brazilian operations of oilfield services company in connection with investigation by the SEC and DOJ.
- Conducted due diligence on agents in Mexico, Venezuela, and Colombia.
- Conducted transaction due diligence on multiple transactions for representations and warranties insurer.
News & Publications
Client Alerts
Supreme Court Oral Argument Signals Chevron Deference Is Running on Fumes
January 19, 2024
Media Mentions
Delaware Business Court Insider Quotes Michael Dockterman in 'Caremark' Litigation Article
January 31, 2023
Client Alerts
January 31, 2023
Press Releases
Steptoe Announces Partner and Of Counsel Promotions for 1 January 2022
November 18, 2021
Media Mentions
Media Cover Steptoe's Victory for Premium Cigars Over FDA Premarket Review Process
August 26, 2020
Media Mentions
Law360 Covers Steptoe's Win for Yoga Studio Chain in Breach of Contract Suit
August 20, 2020
Client Alerts
CFTC Issues Civil Monetary Penalty Guidance for the First Time Since 1994
May 22, 2020
Noteworthy
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Thomson Reuters, Texas Rising Star, Securities Litigation (2015-2020)
Professional Affiliations
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Fellow, Texas Bar Foundation