For nearly 20 years, John has defended companies in complex product liability and commercial litigation, with an emphasis on matters involving scientific and medical issues.  His work focuses on defending manufacturers of pharmaceutical and medical devices, in addition to paint and coating manufacturers.  Knowing there is no one-size-fits-all approach in complex litigation, John works with his clients to understand their needs and devise the best approach to suit their business goals. He listens to his clients and embraces practical and creative approaches to advocate effectively and efficiently for each client’s specific needs.   

John has extensive experience serving as national and regional counsel for major pharmaceutical and medical device manufacturers in high-profile matters ranging from large multi-district litigations to individual actions.  He has defended Bausch & Lomb (ReNu contact lens solution litigation), Boston Scientific (pelvic mesh litigation), Wyeth (diet-drug litigation), Pfizer (hormone therapy litigation), Roche (Accutane litigation), and Sanofi (Taxotere litigation).  Additionally, John represents paint and coating manufacturers in complex product liability and commercial matters.  He served for nearly a decade as lead counsel for an international coating manufacturer in litigation arising from over 10,000 consumer claims involving pre-finished siding installed throughout Europe.

John has experience in all phases of litigation, including developing initial case assessment and strategies, electronic discovery and document management, managing discovery, motion practice, corporate and expert witness development, fact and expert witness depositions, trial preparation, and trial.  He has also used statistical sampling and extrapolation to increase efficiency and cost-savings in complex case evaluations and discovery.

John has published and presented on a number of topics, including the use of efficient and cost-effective document and discovery management in complex matters.

Throughout his career, John has been a constant advocate for abused and neglected children inside and outside of the courtroom. He regularly represents abused and neglected children in pro bono matters, both in the role of guardian ad litem and as a volunteer court-appointed special advocate (CASA). Outside of the courtroom, John has continued his advocacy for abused and neglected children as a long-time member of Jackson County CASA’s Board of Directors, of which he currently serves as the board chair.

 

Publications

Denise Talbert, John C. Vaglio, Jeremiah S. Wikler and Christy Pulis, Chapter 25: E-Discovery—Practical Considerations, in Product Liability Litigation: Current Law, Strategies and Best Practices, 2nd Ed. (PLI 2021). 

Harvey L. Kaplan and John C. Vaglio, Country Q & A United States, in PLC Multi-Jurisdictional Guide to Life Sciences Law 2012. 

Marie S. Woodbury, Denise J. Talbert and John C. Vaglio, Chapter 28: E-Discovery – Practical Considerations, in Product Liability Litigation: Current Law, Strategies and Best Practices (PLI 2009).

Harvey L. Kaplan and John C. Vaglio, Country Q&A United States, in PLC Cross-border Life Sciences Handbook 2009/10.

Harvey L. Kaplan and John C. Vaglio, Country Q&A United States, in PLC Cross-border Life Sciences Handbook 2008/09. 

Harvey L. Kaplan and John C. Vaglio, USA, Chapter 45 in Global Legal Group: The International Comparative Legal Guide to: Product Liability 2008, 6th Ed.

Harvey L. Kaplan and John C. Vaglio, Country Q&A United States, in PLC Cross-border Life Sciences Handbook 2007/08.