Partner
and access,
John Bender is a partner in the firm's Commercial Disputes practice group. Recognized as one of the best litigators under 40 in the US by Benchmark Litigation, John represents public and private companies and entrepreneurs in cases involving exposure in the tens and hundreds of millions of dollars in high stakes commercial litigation and investigations. John frequently handles high-profile matters involving securities, breach of contract, partnership and shareholder disputes, corporate governance, claims of fraud and embezzlement, trade secrets, franchising, intellectual property, FinTech, blockchain, cryptocurrencies, and other digital assets. He handles matters involving regulatory agencies including DFI, SEC, and state attorneys general. He also has handled matters involving a variety of complex torts and reputational harm. In 2024, Benchmark Litigation named John to its "40 & Under List...the guide to the best and brightest litigators under 40 in the US." He has been selected to the Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch® every year since 2021. John has also been named to the Washington Rising Stars list every year since 2017 with his primary focus being in business litigation. John has extensive experience in complex commercial cases involving investment fraud and Ponzi scheme litigation in state, federal, and bankruptcy courts. In particular, John represented major investor groups in two of the largest cases of alleged investment fraud of record in Pacific Northwest history, in which creditors asserted roughly US$500 million in losses. John served as court-appointed “Special Counsel” and lead trial lawyer in iCap Equity’s insolvency proceedings in which a federal court found that the enterprise operated a US$250+ million Ponzi scheme. As a lawyer with experience at the intersection of emerging tech, DeFi, and US law, John frequently speaks and provides legal commentary and analysis covering this emerging area; his analysis has been featured in major publications, including TIME Magazine. John has a substantial record of thought leadership and pro bono service. He is a member of the Steering Committee for the Washington Technology Industry Association's Cascadia Blockchain Council. He served as a volunteer and speaker for the City of Seattle's New Citizen Campaign in 2016. He is also a past member and chair of the Washington State Bar Association's Mandatory Continuing Legal Education Board. John received a B.A. from Seattle University, a J.D. from University of Washington, and an LL.M. from the University of California, Berkeley.
