Personal Quote
"The achievement of justice is an endless process."
- John F. Kennedy, 35th President of the United States
Biography
John is a shareholder and founding member of Sandberg Phoenix & von Gontard. He concentrates his practice in business litigation. John was named to the Missouri & Kansas Super Lawyers in the Business Litigation area in 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008 and 2009. He was also named as one of the Top 50 Missouri & Kansas Super Lawyers in St. Louis for 2007, 2008 and 2009. John was named as one of the best trial attorneys in the country by Best Lawyers in America in 2005, 2006, 2008 and in 2009 in the area of Personal Injury Litigation and Product Liability Litigation and from 2010-2011, he was also named in the area of Commercial Litigation. He was a Leadership St. Louis participant from 1998-1999.
A sampling of John's litigation experience includes:
Garth v. Atlantic Express. Circuit Court of the City of St. Louis, Missouri. We received a defense verdict after four and one-half hours of deliberation. A 14-year old girl was sexually assaulted while riding the school bus home one afternoon. The two assailants were expelled and criminally convicted. Plaintiff claimed the bus company failed to train the driver to prevent this situation and claimed the bus driver negligently failed to intervene in the ongoing assault.
Hoover v Brundage Bone Concrete Pumping Co. Circuit Court of Greene County, Missouri. Admitted liability for death of 37-year old mother of three after defendant's truck crossed center line into path of mother's vehicle. Verdict for children for $1,000,000. Lowest demand - $3,000,000.
Massachusetts Mutual v. Vossmeyer, et al. United States District Court for the Eastern District of Missouri. The verdict was for our client. John won the suit over a $500,000 life insurance policy on the basis of forgery, undue influence and incompetence.
Roseman v. Roto-Die. United States District Court for the Eastern District of Missouri. Lost minority shareholder action against company about redemption agreement. The decision is on appeal.
Countrywide v. SIAI. United States District Court for the Eastern District of Missouri. The verdict was for the client on suit over unpaid accounts.
Camelot Services, Inc. v. James Cutler, Brad Bishop, et al. United States District Court. The verdict was for clients in suit for $7 million damages over failed acquisition.
National Liberty v. Walmart. United States District Court for the Eastern District of Missouri. John defended the claim of breach of contract and recovered over $200,000 in premiums and attorneys fees.
Monsanto v. Koch Industries. United States District Court for the Eastern District of Missouri. John won $7.2 million verdict regarding failure of distillation tower.
Mickey v. Wiltel. United States District Court for the Eastern District of Missouri. John won suit over disputed commissions.
8182 Maryland Avenue Associates v. Lurie. Circuit Court of St. Louis County, Missouri. John won $3.5 million against former tenant.
Thornton v. Gray Automotive. Jackson County, Missouri. Plaintiff was severely injured when a truck jack lifting about 6 tons slipped out from under a truck and hit him in the face causing extensive damages and the loss of an eye. The jury gave the plaintiff $450,000 but found him 95% at fault. Affirmed on appeal.
Practice Groups
- Business Litigation
- Products Liability
Industries/Areas of Practice
- Insurance Companies
- Business Professionals
- Manufacturing
- Construction Contractors
- Architects, Engineers
Professional Activities
John is licensed to practice in Missouri and Illinois and is admitted in all federal courts in those states. He has successfully litigated cases in many jurisdictions, including Missouri, Illinois, Kentucky and Arkansas.
John's professional association memberships include the American Board of Trial Advocates, the Bar Association of Metropolitan St. Louis, the Lawyers Association of St. Louis, the American Bar Association, the Mound City Bar Association and the Lawyers-Pilot Bar Association.
John was recently appointed to editor of the Civil Practice and Procedure section on the courts bulletin for the Eastern District Court of Appeals and the Supreme Court.
John is Co-Chair of the Sandberg Phoenix Diversity Committee.
Publications and Speaking Engagements
Articles published by John Sandberg include: Chapter 27 of Volume 1 in State-By-State Guide to Construction Contracts and Claims, 2006; "Loss of Profit Damages," Damages Deskbook, Second Edition 2001, Missouri Bar Association; and the Missouri law chapter in Architects, Engineers & Builders Liability, published by Aspen Press.
John has spoken on trial and ethics topics for the Missouri Bar, University of Missouri-Columbia School of Law, National Practice Institute, Lorman Education, and the Network of Trial Law Firms.
Education
John received his Juris Doctor, cum laude, from the University of Missouri-Columbia in 1972 where he was awarded the Order of the Coif and was Managing Editor, Missouri Law Review, 1971-1972.
He received his undergraduate degree, with honors, from the University of Missouri-Columbia in 1970.