Making It Right Is A Complex Process

 EXPERIENCE

John F. Salter is an experienced attorney with a broad law practice spanning several areas including complex business litigation, class actions, medical malpractice, and personal injury/wrongful death.

With multiple appearances on cases in state and federal courts, Mr. Salter has argued successfully before the Supreme Court of Georgia, Court of Appeals of Georgia and federal appellate courts, including the United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia and Seventh Circuits.

A native Georgian, Mr. Salter is married to Allison Barnes Salter.  They reside in Marietta with their three children and attend First United Methodist Church of Marietta.

Mr. Salter received a B.A. from Davidson College in North Carolina and his J.D., cum laude, from the University of Georgia School of Law, where he served on the Editorial Board of the Georgia Journal of International and Comparative Law and on the Board of the Equal Justice Foundation.

NOTABLE CASES   

Represented plaintiffs in a class action challenging suspension of contributions to employees’ tax-sheltered annuity plan, leading to a court-approved settlement of $117.5 Million for the class. See DeKalb Co. Sch. Dist. v. Gold, 307 Ga. 330 (2019).

On behalf of a putative class of electric service customers of Georgia Power, pursued refund suit for overcharges and to enforce tariff against public utility. See Georgia Power Co. v. Cazier, 321 Ga. App. 576 (2013); Cazier v. Georgia Power Company, 339 Ga. App. 506 (2016); Georgia Power Company v. Cazier, S17G0706 (Ga. Supreme June 18, 2018).

On behalf of two families of victims of terrorism, successfully pursued enforcement proceedings and defended appeal, culminating in decision on matter of first impression regarding federal anti-terrorism law. Gates v. Syrian Arab Republic, 755 F.3d 568 (7th Cir. 2014).

On behalf of surviving spouse, achieved settlement in confidential amount for burns and subsequent death following explosion and fire secondary to breached gas distribution line.

Member of trial team winning $75 million verdict in lender-liability case against financial institution for developer-client.  

On behalf of landlord, successfully argued appeal involving interpretation of long-term, “triple net” lease for commercial property. NW Parkway v. Lemser et al, 309 Ga.App. 172 (2011).  

Successfully prosecuted wrongful death action against surgeon and hospital, involving issues of medical malpractice and negligent hospital credentialing, achieving pre-trial settlement in confidential amount.

For former CEO, obtained confidential settlement of claims of wrongful / retaliatory discharge.

On behalf of two families of victims of terrorism in Iraq in 2004, tried case to judgment in excess of $400 million against a state-sponsor of terrorism and successfully argued federal appeal.  Gates v. Syrian Arab Republic, 646 F.3d 1 (DC Cir. 2011).  

On behalf of a restaurant franchisor, was part of a trial team that won a defense verdict in federal court, vindicating the client and his firm against allegations of fraud, racketeering and claimed damages exceeding $20 Million. Peterson v. Sprock, 2009 WL 631219 (N.D. Ga. 2009).

On behalf of a surviving spouse, successfully prosecuted wrongful death action against surgeon and hospital, involving issues of medical negligence, informed consent, and negligent hospital credentialing, achieving settlement for family in confidential amount.

On behalf of fellow attorney, overturned adverse award of more than $1 Million of attorney’s fees in appellate opinion that re-examined Georgia law regarding confidential relationships between pastors and congregants. Brewer v. Paulk, 296 Ga.App. 26 (2009).

Following a 5-week trial in a Cobb County case alleging improper accounting oversight and negligent misrepresentations, won appellate opinion affirming the $10 Million verdict for the plaintiff. PricewaterhouseCoopers, LLP v. Bassett, 293 Ga.App. 274 (2008).

On behalf of a Georgia judge, defended inquiry brought by the Judicial Qualifications Commission of the State of Georgia.

On behalf of a class of Georgia consumers, won class certification and obtained a $12 Million settlement against insurance company in suit alleging unfair premium rating practices for group health insurance. American Medical Security v. Parker, 284 Ga. 102 (2008).

On behalf of taxpayer, obtained writ of mandamus against Cobb County school board regarding proper use of proceeds from special purpose local option sales tax for educational purposes. Johnstone v. Thompson, 280 Ga. 611 (2006).

For former DEA agent, secured dismissal of lawsuit alleging improper leak of confidential information from DEA database. Ashcroft v. Randel, 391 F.Supp.2d 1214 (N.D. Ga. 2005).