John R. Zoesch III

Catholic University of America, Columbus School of Law, Washington, District of Columbia

• J.D. (Magna Cum Laude) – 2007
• Catholic University Law Review, Note and Comment Editor, 2005 – 2007
• Faculty Merit Scholarship

Wake Forest University, Winston-Salem, North Carolina

• B.A. – 2002
• Major: History
• Minor: Biology

• Florida
• Texas
• United States District Court Southern District of Florida
• United States District Court Middle District of Florida
• United States District Court Northern District of Florida
• United States Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit
• United States Court of Federal Claims
• United States District Court, Western District of Wisconsin

• Rising Star, Florida Super Lawyers, 2013 – 2020
• The Best Lawyers in America guide, Commercial Litigation, 2021-2022

• Leadership Pensacola
  • Class of 2012
• The First Tee of Northwest Florida
  • Chair (2020)
  • Immediate Past Chair (2022)
  • Vice Chair (2021)
  • Secretary (2019)
  • Board of Directors (2013–Present)
• Pensacola Symphony Orchestra
  • President (2022-Present)
  • Vice-President (2019–2022)
  • Secretary (2016–2019)
  • Board of Directors (2014–Present)
• Pensacola Community Music School
  • Board of Directors (2013–2021)
• First City Football Club
  • Treasurer (2021-Present)
• City of Pensacola Charter Review Commission
  • Member (2022)

• American Bar Association, Member, 2004 – Present
• American Intellectual Property Law Association, Member, 2011 – Present
• Escambia County-Santa Rosa Bar Association, Member, 2008 – Present
• International Trademark Association (2018-Present)
• National Defense Industrial Association (2017-Present)

• “Discontented Blues”: Jazz Arrangements and the Case for Improvements in Copyright Law, 55 Cath. U. L. Rev. 867, Vol. 55, No. 3 (2006)

• Obtained a defense verdict and final judgment in favor of a government contractor and its principals in litigation arising from a $90 million contract award by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. Served as trial counsel in defeating claims for breach of an alleged teaming agreement and fraudulent inducement following a three-week trial, while claims for trade secret misappropriation, breach of fiduciary duty, promissory estoppel, and unjust enrichment were dismissed prior to trial.  Drafted all briefs and motions, including motions for summary judgment, appellate briefing, motions in limine, and responses to motions for leave to amend to add claims for punitive damages.  Handled fact witness depositions, all document production, expert discovery and depositions, and argued motions.  Obtained an award of attorneys’ fees and costs, some of which was recouped through the plaintiff’s post-trial bankruptcy.
• Prosecuted bid protest before the Florida Department of Administrative Hearings on behalf of one of the nation’s largest emergency fuel providers in against the Florida Department of Transportation, resulting in rejection of all bids prior to final hearing.
• Defended health care provider against claims of breach of license agreement and trademark infringement in federal court, resulting in dismissal of action at the close of discovery.
• Authored trial and appellate briefs and served as trial counsel defending auto dealer against claims of cybersquatting, false advertising, and unfair competition, which resulted in a defense verdict and subsequent affirmance on appeal.
• Defended defense contractor in trade secret misappropriation action in federal court arising from the submission of competing proposals for the U.S. Air Force’s Joint Terminal Attack Control (JTAC) and Small Unmanned Aerial Systems (SUAS) program, which resulted in dismissal.
• Served as defense counsel in federal white collar criminal prosecution regarding defense contracting fraud, maintaining an active security clearance for purposes of representation.
• Represented materials manufacturer in various multi-party lawsuits in state court throughout the State of Florida.  Drafted and argued motions for summary judgment and motions in limine, handled depositions of both fact and expert witnesses, and served as trial counsel.
• Co-authored summary judgment and appellate briefs on behalf of major private aircraft manufacturer in products liability suit, which resulted in summary judgment and subsequent affirmance by the Eleventh Circuit.
• Represented co-owner of one of the largest electric generation plants in the United States against multiple personal injury lawsuits alleging contamination of local region, which resulted in dismissal of action.
• Represented restaurant owner in defense against claims of copyright and trademark infringement arising from use of karaoke works, which resulted in dismissal of action.
• Served as counsel for developer of “smart mattress” technology in trade secret misappropriation against national mattress manufacturer.
• Defeated motion for preliminary injunction and obtained summary judgment on behalf of healthcare provider on claims for breach of non-competition agreement and trademark infringement.
• Representation of numerous businesses alleged to have infringed copyrights of photographers on websites, both in litigation in federal court and in pre-suit.

• “Employment and Contractual Considerations”
  • EVOLVE 2022 – Government Contracting Growth Summit (2022)
• “Hurdles and Pitfalls in Trade Secret Litigation”
  • Mississippi Bar Association, Intellectual Property Division (2013)
• “Leveraging Your IP: Litigation”
  • Gulf Coast Intellectual Property Association Summer Meeting (2014)
• “Legal 101 for Entrepreneurs: A Conversation on Entity Formation, IP, Contracts, and Taxation” (Co-Presenter)
  • Co:Lab Pensacola (2018)
• “Intellectual Property & Contracts”
  • Greater Pensacola Young Entrepreneurs Academy (YEA!) (2015)
• “Teaming Agreements: A Legal Perspective”
  • UWF Small Business Development Center, Procurement Technical Assistance Center (Since 2014)
  • PMI (Project Management Institute) Emerald Coast, Florida Chapter Annual Spring Symposium (2014)
• “Using Non-Compete, Non-Disclosure, and Non-Solicitation Agreements to Protect Your Business”
  • UWF Small Business Development Center (2014)
• “Winning Proposals With Teamwork”
  • Webinar with Brandon Smith of Anglin Reichmann Armstrong (2019)