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“[John LaDue] has an excellent reputation, is very client-focused, accessible and responsive. We have a high degree of confidence in John.”
—Client | Chambers USA Guide 2024About John
John is one of the founders of SouthBank Legal. During his 35 years of practice, John has represented individuals and companies in state and federal courts around the country and tried more than 40 cases to jury verdict. John’s litigation experience has involved a wide variety of substantive issues, including contract disputes, trade secrets and non-compete agreements, product liability and warranty cases, employment discrimination and retaliation, trademark and copyright infringement, conducting internal investigations for companies and universities, and representing individuals and businesses under investigation for alleged criminal conduct.
John now focuses his practice on serving as a mediator and court-appointed neutral, or “Special Master.” John is a registered mediator in Indiana and is included on a short list of Indiana Commercial Court Neutrals. Companies involved in complex commercial litigation call on John to help resolve high-stakes business disputes, knowing that litigation can take years and millions of dollars to resolve while mediation can be accomplished quickly, provide the parties with a certain and reasonable business solution, and avoid the costs and uncertainties of protracted litigation.
John is sought out not only for his substantial experience in resolving critical disputes, but also for his ability to quickly analyze and talk candidly with the parties about the strengths and weaknesses of their litigation positions. He works hard to understand the motivation behind a dispute and to listen, without cross-examining. People open up to him because he truly listens, understands, and works hard to help the parties reach an acceptable settlement.
John began his legal practice as a Judge Advocate in the United States Marine Corps. John served primarily as “trial counsel,” prosecuting more than 300 criminal cases under the Uniform Code of Military Justice, including seven murder cases. After John was honorably discharged, holding the rank of Major, he began his litigation practice with an Am Law 100 firm. In 2008, John was one of the founders of SouthBank Legal.
Experience
In previous cases, John has:
- Represented a military vehicle manufacturer in contract disputes with an international government contractor resulting in trial verdicts for John’s client collectively exceeding $300 million.
- Served as national counsel and defense liaison counsel representing a Fortune 500 medical device manufacturer in multidistrict litigation involving more than 2,400 product liability cases.
- Defended a commercial vehicle manufacturer in a “bet the company” trademark infringement case filed by a major international automobile manufacturer, which resulted in a judgment for John’s client.
- Defended the former president of a publicly-traded company in a multimillion-dollar dispute with his former employer.
- Represented a nationally recognized artist and a home designer in multiple copyright infringement lawsuits.
- Represented automobile, commercial truck, and RV manufacturers in multiple product liability and warranty cases.
- Represented a major university in employment discrimination cases, including an age discrimination case involving the university’s head football coach.
- Represented multiple companies and individuals in trade secret and non-compete disputes.
- Conducted multiple internal investigations for universities and companies concerned about potential criminal conduct, employment discrimination, and Fair Labor Standards Act violations.
- Defended a corporate executive under federal investigation for potential violations of the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act.
Education
- Notre Dame Law School, J.D., magna cum laude
- Editor in Chief, Notre Dame Law Review
- Michigan State University, B.A.
Admissions
- Indiana
- Michigan
- U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Florida
- U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Indiana
- U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Indiana
- U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan
- U.S. District Court for the Western District of Michigan
- U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit
- U.S. Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit
“John LaDue’s client service and general level of service is very strong....[He] is very engaged and responsive.”
—Client | Chambers USA Guide 2025“He is our counsel and has been very aggressive in our defense. I am impressed with his knowledge and preparedness.”
—Client | Chambers USA Guide 2025“He has an excellent reputation, is very client-focused, accessible and responsive. We have a high degree of confidence in John.”
—Client | Chambers USA Guide 2024“I respect him tremendously.”
—Third Party | Chambers USA Guide 2024“I really, really like John LaDue.”
—Market Commentator | Chambers USA Guide 2024“[John] is an exceptional litigator and very responsive. He works very hard to give early and honest assessments of the kind of strengths and weaknesses of the case. He gives you an unvarnished opinion on the best courses of action to proceed.... The work is complex and high-value in all respects.”
—Client | Chambers USA Guide 2024