Overview
Seattle Partner John Schiltz represents plaintiffs and defendants in high-stakes commercial cases throughout the United States. He has significant litigation experience in state and federal courts as well as arbitrations across a broad spectrum of practice areas including breach of contract, patent, trade secrets, antitrust, cryptocurrency, class actions, product liability, unfair trade practices, shareholder disputes, and other complex commercial disputes.
Schiltz has secured many landmark wins for his clients – who range from Fortune 100 companies to small businesses and individuals – due to his tireless work ethic, litigation savvy, and natural ability to translate even the most complex subject matter into comprehensible facts and stories for judges and juries.
In a major trial victory, Schiltz won a $50.3 million jury verdict on behalf of Green Mountain Glass in its patent infringement lawsuit against Ardagh Glass, Inc. A federal jury in Wilmington, Delaware found Ardagh, formerly known as Saint-Gobain Containers, willfully infringed upon Green Mountain’s patent No. 5,718,737 for technology that allows glass manufacturers to use recycled glass of mixed colors. This verdict was profiled by Law360 and ranked among the National Law Journal’s “Top 100 Verdicts of the Year”—it was ranked #34 overall and the 4th highest IP verdict of the year. Schiltz then helped protect the verdict on appeal, briefing and securing a full affirmance of the judgment at the Federal Circuit. A final payment of $64.5 million was later made to Green Mountain.
Schiltz secured a deal valued at more than $168 million for a class of animation industry employees in this antitrust action against the world’s largest animation companies, including Disney, Pixar, Lucas Films, DreamWorks and Sony, based on restrictions on their ability to compete against one another for talent. Schiltz’s work on the Animation Workers matter helped secure Susman Godfrey’s recognition as Law360’s “Class Action Group of the Year.” The class netted $147.3 million after fees and expenses.
On the defense side, Schiltz has successfully represented international retailer Walmart in several product liability lawsuits and recently successfully defended online travel shopping company, Expedia, in a breach of contract and trade secret misappropriation case.
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.
Notable Representations
- John F. Fish et al. v. Goulston & Storrs PC (Suffolk County Superior Court of Massachusetts) Representing John Fish in action against Goulston & Storrs PC, alleging legal malpractice, breach of fiduciary duty, and willful violations of Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 93A, arising out of failed billion-dollar real estate development project in Boston’s Back Bay neighborhood. Read more.
- Certain Power Inverters and Converters, Vehicles Containing the Same, and Components Thereof (Inv. No. 337-TA-1267) Representing Arigna Technology Ltd. in International Trade Commission Investigation alleging violations of Section 337 by Volkswagen, Audi, Bentley, Lamborghini, Porsche, Mercedes-Benz, BMW, and General Motors in the unlawful importation and/or sale of certain power inverters and converters, vehicles containing the same, and components thereof, by reason of infringement of U.S. Patent Nos. 8,247,867 and 8,289,082. Read more.
- Arigna Technology Limited v. Volkswagen AG et al (E.D. Tex.) Representing Arigna Technology Ltd. in a patent infringement action against Volkswagen, BMW, Mercedes-Benz, Nissan, Tesla, Toyota, and General Motors regarding semiconductor technology used in automotive radar components and power inverters.
- Arigna Technology Limited v. General Motors Company et al (E.D. Tex.) Representing Arigna Technology Ltd. in a patent infringement action against General Motors, Honda, and Nissan regarding semiconductor technology used in automotive engine control modules.
- Green Mountain Glass v. Owens-Illinois (W.D. Tex.) Represented Green Mountain Glass LLC in a patent infringement matter against Owens-Illinois and Owens Brockway Glass Container. After a successful Markman proceeding, in which Green Mountain obtained its favored construction for every disputed claim term, the case settled favorably for Green Mountain pursuant to a confidential settlement agreement.
- TravelPass Expedia (D. Utah; AAA Arbitration) Defended Expedia in this breach of contract and trade secret misappropriation case. After the plaintiff filed suit in Utah, Schiltz and the team successfully achieved a complete stay of that litigation and moved the claims to a AAA arbitration. After extensive proceedings in the arbitration, the matter was successfully resolved, and the Utah action was dismissed.
- In re: Pre-Filled Propane Tank Antitrust Litigation (W.D. Mo.) Secured $12.6 million (approximately $8 million after fees and expenses) settlement for direct purchase plaintiffs in this antitrust lawsuit alleging that the two largest distributors of propane exchange tanks, AmeriGas and Ferrellgas, conspired to reduce the amount of propane they would put in their tanks from 17 to 15 pounds, while keeping prices stable, effectively raising the prices charged by 13% per pound. Read more.
- Green Mountain Glass v. Ardagh (D. Del.) Won a $50.3 million jury verdict on behalf of Green Mountain Glass in its patent infringement lawsuit against Ardagh Glass, Inc. The federal jury in Wilmington, Delaware found Ardagh, formerly known as Saint-Gobain Containers, willfully infringed upon Green Mountain’s patent No. 5,718,737 for technology that allows glass manufacturers to use recycled glass of mixed colors. A final payment of $64.5 million was later made to Green Mountain. This verdict was profiled by Law360, and ranked among the National Law Journal’s “Top 100 Verdicts of 2017”—it was ranked #34 overall and the 4th highest IP verdict of the year. Read more.
- Reasnor Walmart Stores, Inc. et al. (District Court for Payne County, State of Oklahoma) Defended Walmart in this product liability suit alleging that Walmart sold the plaintiff an allegedly defective gasoline container manufactured by now-defunct Blitz USA, Inc. Schiltz took key depositions and obtained critical testimony that led to Walmart obtaining summary judgment on all claims. He drafted and argued Walmart’s motion for summary judgment which was granted from the bench following Schiltz’s impactful oral argument, and Walmart was awarded summary judgment on all claims.
- Hicks Blitz USA et al. (D. Ariz.) Defended Walmart in this action alleging that Walmart sold to the plaintiff an allegedly defective gasoline container manufactured by now-defunct Blitz USA, Inc. Schiltz drafted the successful motion to remove the case from Arizona state court to the state’s district court on diversity grounds under the federal fraudulent joinder doctrine. Once the case was removed, Schiltz drafted the motion to dismiss all claims against Walmart for failure to state a claim on which relief could be granted against Walmart. Schiltz’s motion was granted without argument, and all claims against Walmart were dismissed with prejudice.
- Boldman Walmart Stores, Inc. et al. (D.N.J.; 3d Cir. ) Defended Walmart in a product liability suit alleging that Walmart sold to plaintiffs an allegedly defective gasoline container manufactured by now-defunct Blitz USA, Inc. Schiltz drafted Walmart’s motion for summary judgment on all alleged claims, which was granted without argument. The following year, Schiltz represented Walmart on appeal in the United States Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit, which affirmed summary judgment in Walmart’s favor.
- In re Animation Workers (N.D. Cal.) Secured more than $168 million in settlements ($147.3 million after fees and expenses) for a class of animation industry employees in this antitrust action against the largest animation companies, including Disney, Pixar, Lucas Films, DreamWorks, and Sony, based on restrictions on their ability to compete against one another for talent. The 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.”
- ZiiLabs v. Apple and Samsung (E.D. Tex.) Served as co-lead counsel to ZiiLabs, a subsidiary of the Singapore-based media company Creative Technologies, Ltd., in a patent infringement case against Apple and Samsung. Ziilabs alleged the two tech giants infringed upon patents related to graphics processing technology developed originally by 3DLabs. The case with Apple settled on the eve of trial after the company had taken a license, and the case with Samsung resolved two days before trial.
Honors & Distinctions
Honors and Awards
- 40 and Under Hot List, Benchmark Litigation (2023)
- Lawdragon 500X - The Next Generation of Leading Lawyers (2023)
- Recognized as a Rising Star by Washington Super Lawyers (Thomson Reuters)—an honor awarded to the top 2.5% of lawyers in Washington (2019-22)
- University of Virginia Supreme Court Litigation Clinic
Clerkships
- Honorable David M. Ebel, United States Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit
Education
Education
- The University of Virginia School of Law (2013)
- Order of the Coif
- Editorial Board, Virginia Law Review
- The University of Montana (B.A., 2007)
Admissions
Admissions
Bar Admissions
- Washington
- Colorado
Court Admissions
- U.S. Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit
- U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit
Leadership & Professional Memberships
Associations
- King County Bar Association
- Federal Bar Association
- American Bar Association
