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    John Mullen photograph

    John D. Mullen

    Partner

    Tampa
    813-472-7867
    john.mullen@phelps.com
    Areas Of Focus
    LitigationEmployment LitigationInsurance

    John Mullen practices in the areas of labor and employment law and in complex commercial litigation and arbitration. Throughout his career, John has developed a track record of achieving results through creative solutions. He understands that employment litigation involves real-world problems that have a direct impact on people, and his goal is to generate the best possible outcome for clients.

    In his employment practice, he regularly drafts and negotiates employment contracts and litigates non-competition agreements and trade secret claims. He advises and represents employers with respect to discrimination and retaliation claims in both federal and state court trial practice and in arbitration proceedings.

    John has extensive experience in defending class actions and other complex litigation involving insurance coverage and consumer-oriented claims. He has litigated statewide, multi-state, multi-district (MDL), and nationwide class actions. He is well-versed in directors’ and officers’ liability disputes, shareholder derivative actions, and securities litigation and arbitration. John’s practice has often involved representing London-market insurers, as well as national and regional U.S. firms.

    He currently serves as the chair of the Ethics Committee for the firm.

    John has extensive experience in defending class actions and other complex litigation involving insurance coverage and consumer-oriented claims. He has litigated statewide, multi-state, multi-district (MDL), and nationwide class actions. He is well-versed in directors’ and officers’ liability disputes, shareholder derivative actions, and securities litigation and arbitration. John’s practice has often involved representing London-market insurers, as well as national and regional U.S. firms.

    He currently serves as the chair of the Ethics Committee for the firm.

    Insights

    • August 15, 2024

      185 Phelps Lawyers Chosen for Best Lawyers in America, 20 Named "Lawyer of the Year," 26 Added to “Ones to Watch” List…

    • June 24, 2024

      Super Lawyers Recognizes 13 Phelps Florida Lawyers on 2024 Lists…

    More +
    • August 17, 2023

      Best Lawyers in America Selects 208 Phelps Lawyers, Names 12 "Lawyer of the Year," Adds 47 to "Ones to Watch" List…

    • June 26, 2023

      14 Phelps Lawyers Named to 2023 Florida Super Lawyers Lists…

    • February 28, 2023

      John Mullen Joins Florida Legal Elite Hall of Fame…

    • August 18, 2022

      Best Lawyers in America Selects 158 Phelps Lawyers, Names 10 "Lawyer of the Year," Adds 40 to "Ones to Watch" List…

    • June 28, 2022

      Five Phelps Lawyers Honored as Florida Trend’s 2022 Florida Legal Elite…

    • June 24, 2022

      Florida’s 2022 Super Lawyers and Rising Stars Recognizes 17 Phelps Attorneys …

    • June 24, 2021

      16 Phelps Attorneys Make Florida’s 2021 Super Lawyers and Rising Stars Lists…

    • March 3, 2021

      Phelps Team Wins COVID-19 Business Interruption Case in Florida…

    Recognition

    • AV Preeminent Peer Review Rated, Martindale-Hubbell
    • Employment Law - Management (2011-2025), Litigation - Labor and Employment (2011-2025), The Best Lawyers in America
    • Inducted into the Florida Trend Legal Elite Hall of Fame (2023)
    • Legal Elite, Florida Trend (2006-2008, 2010-2012, 2014-2023)
    • Florida Super Lawyers list, Super Lawyers (2007-2024)
    • Best Friend of the Year Award, Friends of the Library, Tampa-Hillsborough County, Inc. (2008)
    • AV Preeminent Peer Review Rated, Martindale-Hubbell
    • Employment Law - Management (2011-2025), Litigation - Labor and Employment (2011-2025), The Best Lawyers in America
    • Inducted into the Florida Trend Legal Elite Hall of Fame (2023)
    • Legal Elite, Florida Trend (2006-2008, 2010-2012, 2014-2023)
    • Florida Super Lawyers list, Super Lawyers (2007-2024)
    • Best Friend of the Year Award, Friends of the Library, Tampa-Hillsborough County, Inc. (2008)

    Education

    • New York University School of Law, J.D., 1994
    • New College of the University of South Florida, B.A., Philosophy and Political Science, 1989
    • New York University School of Law, J.D., 1994
    • New College of the University of South Florida, B.A., Philosophy and Political Science, 1989

    Credentials

    • Florida
    • U.S. Supreme Court
    • U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit
    • U.S. District Court, Middle District of Florida
    • U.S. District Court, Northern District of Florida
    • U.S. District Court, Southern District of Florida
    • Judicial Law Clerk for Hon. Steven D. Merryday, U.S. District Court, Middle District of Florida
    • Florida
    • U.S. Supreme Court
    • U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit
    • U.S. District Court, Middle District of Florida
    • U.S. District Court, Northern District of Florida
    • U.S. District Court, Southern District of Florida
    • Judicial Law Clerk for Hon. Steven D. Merryday, U.S. District Court, Middle District of Florida

    Memberships and Affiliations

    Professional

      • The Florida Bar - Labor and Employment Section
      • Hillsborough County Bar Association - Labor and Employment Section, Technology Section - Co-Chair (2021-2023)
      • Global Alliance of Hospitality Attorneys
      • Greater Tampa Chamber of Commerce - Leadership Tampa Alumni (Class of 2012)

    Civic

      • Friends of the Library, Tampa-Hillsborough County, Inc. – Council Board member (1997-present), Vice President (2010-2012), Chapter President (2017-present)
      • Tampa Museum of Art
      • Gasparilla Festival of the Arts
      • University of South Florida Muma College of Business Digital Marketing Certificate Program - Advisory Board Member (2019-2020)

    Professional

      • The Florida Bar - Labor and Employment Section
      • Hillsborough County Bar Association - Labor and Employment Section, Technology Section - Co-Chair (2021-2023)
      • Global Alliance of Hospitality Attorneys
      • Greater Tampa Chamber of Commerce - Leadership Tampa Alumni (Class of 2012)

    Civic

      • Friends of the Library, Tampa-Hillsborough County, Inc. – Council Board member (1997-present), Vice President (2010-2012), Chapter President (2017-present)
      • Tampa Museum of Art
      • Gasparilla Festival of the Arts
      • University of South Florida Muma College of Business Digital Marketing Certificate Program - Advisory Board Member (2019-2020)
    • Overview
    • Insights
    • Recognition
    • Education
    • Credentials
    • Memberships and Affiliations

    Related Services

    • Litigation
    • Employment Litigation
    • Insurance
    • Labor and Employment
    • Mediation
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