- University of Montana, B.A., 2007
- University of Virginia School of Law, J.D., 2013
John Schiltz is a dynamic advocate with significant experience litigating high-stakes commercial cases for both plaintiffs and defendants. Schiltz tries cases nationwide in state and federal courts and arbitrations across a broad spectrum of practice areas including breach of contract, patent litigation, trade secrets litigation, antitrust litigation, class actions, product liability, and other complex commercial disputes. Schiltz is sought after by clients and colleagues alike who know him to be a reliable and effective litigator. In 2019 and 2020 he was recognized as a Rising Star by Washington Super Lawyers (Thomson Reuters) – an honor awarded to the top 2.5% of lawyers in Washington.
Facing Off Against Industry Titans
Schiltz served as trial counsel to Green Mountain Glass where a federal jury entered a verdict in Green Mountain’s favor for $50.3 million in its patent infringement lawsuit against Ardagh Glass Inc. Schiltz presented Green Mountain’s infringement expert at trial, in addition to cross-examining key defense witnesses. The jury found Ardagh willfully infringed Green Mountain’s patent. This verdict ranks among the National Law Journal’s “Top 100 Verdicts of 2017” – it was ranked #34 overall and the 4th highest IP verdict of 2017. Read more about the case here.
Schiltz represented a class of animation employees in an antitrust lawsuit against several large animation companies, including Pixar, DreamWorks, Disney, Sony, and Lucasfilm. Plaintiffs alleged they were subject to wage suppression as a result of “no poaching” agreements by their employers. Schiltz’s work on the Animation Workers matter helped secure Susman Godfrey’s recognition as Law360’s “Class Action Group of the Year” in 2017.
Significant Wins for Industry Leaders
Schiltz counts the world’s largest retailer, Walmart, as a repeat client, having scored several litigation wins for the multinational corporation. In nearly all of the matters Schiltz takes on for Walmart, his strategic thinking, legal prowess, and gifted writing skills lead him to success. In 2018 and 2019, Schiltz briefed and argued numerous dispositive motions on behalf of the company, and in all nearly of them, the court ruled in his favor.
Since 2017, Schiltz has defended Expedia, Inc. in claims initiated by TravelPass Group, LLC for alleged breach of contract and trade secret misappropriation in federal court in the District of Utah and in private arbitration.
A Foundation for Success
Schiltz joined Susman Godfrey after serving as a law clerk to the Honorable David M. Ebel of the United States Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit. He graduated Order of the Coif from the University of Virginia School of Law, where he was a member of the Virginia Law Review and the Supreme Court Litigation Clinic. Prior to law school, Schiltz taught high school mathematics as a Teach for America corps member.
Recognized as a Rising Star in 2019 and 2020 by Washington Super Lawyers (Thomson Reuters) – an honor awarded to the top 2.5% of lawyers in Washington
Order of the Coif
University of Virginia Supreme Court Litigation Clinic
Editorial Board, Virginia Law Review