John R. Shiner's distinguished career includes broad litigation experience with an emphasis on complex and high-profile cases. Mr. Shiner has represented clients on numerous occasions before the California Supreme Court and United States Supreme Court, while appearing on a regular basis before state and federal trial and appellate courts. His practice also includes engagements involving state and federal administrative agencies.

As a result of Mr. Shiner’s years of litigation experience, a discreet part of his practice is devoted to assisting corporations and individuals in dispute resolution proceedings. Mr. Shiner’s objective is to independently analyze claims while developing strategies designed to achieve an early and cost-effective resolution.

His extensive experience includes working with Fortune 500 companies, non-profit organizations, private clubs, and high-end net worth individuals and families who frequently seek Mr. Shiner’s breadth and depth of knowledge as counsel. He regularly consults with corporate directors, officers, and senior management. These representations have included AEG, CalEnergy Generation, Kiewit Corporation, Altera Corporation, Air New Zealand Limited, Western Airlines, Delta Air Lines, Holiday Inn, Southern California Edison, The Maybach Foundation, Hillcrest Country Club, and Palos Verdes Golf Club.

Mr. Shiner has a long history of representing clients in high-profile controversies. By way of example, he represented director Blake Edwards, Rams football coach George Allen, the Los Angeles Chief Probation Officer in litigation following his dismissal by the Board of Supervisors, Bernardo Heights Country Club in one of California’s first same-sex disputes to reach the Supreme Court, Fairbanks Ranch Country Club in disputes with the City of San Diego, and the Jonathan Club in a variety of trial and appellate matters. Most recently, he serves as lead counsel for the Episcopal Diocese of Los Angeles in proceedings addressing the legal ramifications stemming from the disaffiliation by four parishes from the Protestant Episcopal Church. These historic cases, before both the California and United States Supreme Courts, will influence the future of dissenting congregations throughout the country.

Mr. Shiner served as a Director of MidAmerican Energy Holdings Company, a New York Stock Exchange company headquartered in Omaha, where he chaired the Audit, Compensation, and Environmental Committees. The Company ultimately became affiliated with Warren Buffet.  In addition to his other ongoing engagements, he serves as Special Counsel to Union Pacific Railroad.

Mr. Shiner was appointed Chancellor to the Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Los Angeles and represents the Bishop of the Serbian Orthodox Diocese of New Gracanica. He also is a member of the Jonathan Club, having served as General Counsel, past President of the Symphony of the Verdugos, counsel to Camp del Corazon (assisting children with heart challenges), Vaqueros del Desierto, and the Lincoln Club. Mr. Shiner is on the Board of the California State Club Association (representing over 100 private clubs throughout California). He was elected to the CalChamber Board of Directors, whose members are selected by ranking executives throughout the state, and chairs the Environmental Regulation Committee.

Mr. Shiner and his family are well-established in Los Angeles and have contributed to the vitality of the community over several generations, actively supporting many charitable and philanthropic organizations. He attended The John Thomas Dye School and Harvard-Westlake School.

Bar and Court Admissions

California, 1969

Education

University of San Diego, J.D., 1968

University of Southern California, B.A., 1965

Professional Affiliations

• California Bar Association
• Los Angeles County Bar Association
• Chair, Appellate Moot Court Board, University of San Diego Law School