John Huston is experienced in all areas of tort litigation, with special concentration on complex products liability and architects’ and engineers’ professional liability. He also represents clients in commercial cases that involve technology issues. He has cross-examined over 100 technical experts in a wide variety of products liability and professional liability cases.
John has lectured on litigation and technology subjects for the Defense Research Institute, Illinois Association of Defense Trial Counsel, the Illinois Institute for Continuing Legal Education, the National Business Institute, and most recently, The University of Wisconsin School of Engineering.
In addition to his 35 years as a trial attorney, John has served as General Counsel for Professional Service Industries, Inc., the nation’s largest independent engineering testing company. In that position, he managed a substantial number of professional liability cases, most of which involved construction practices and construction materials, including asbestos and other environmental testing. He also served as counsel to senior management on a broad range of legal subjects, including employment issues, contracts and liability reduction.
John served as a lieutenant in the United States Naval Reserves, where he was the Electrical Officer on the flagships of the NATO (2nd) and Mediterranean (6th) fleets, and an engineering instructor at the Great Lakes Naval Training Center as part of the Nuclear Power Program.
John has achieved an AV® Preeminent rating from Martindale-Hubbell, which is a testament to the fact that a lawyer’s peers rank him at the highest level of professional excellence. He has also been recognized as a "Leading Lawyers" by Law Bulletin Publishing Company.
In addition to his legal career, John is a member and Vice Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the VanderCook College of Music. He is an avid drummer who has played jazz classics with the Jazz Campers in the Chicago Federal Court House. He also spends time as a Master of Ceremonies at local auctions and fundraising events. John is also a Board Member of the Evanston Rehabilitation Warehouse, a not-for-profit corporation that recycles cabinets, plumbing fixtures and construction materials that would otherwise go to landfills.