
John R. Firestone is a partner of Bartko Pavia LLP in the Corporate Practice. In addition to his varied transactional practice, John has a concentration in media, marketing, and entertainment, representing companies involved in public relations, advertising, publishing, merchandising, and licensing as well as individual writers, artists, and filmmakers. On behalf of these and other clients, including start-ups, John advises on and structures agreements for a variety of commercial matters and transactions, including joint ventures, sales and acquisitions, distribution and licensing, employment and compensation, financing, investments, and others. He represents a leading venture capital group as well as clients involved in fashion, tableware, technology, and nonprofits.
Credentials
Education
- Yale Law School, J.D., 1985
- Cornell University, A.B., 1980
Bar Admissions
- New York Bar
Insights
Publications
05, September 2025
Client Alert: Texas Telemarketing Law Expands To Texts - Key Requirements
Effective September 1, 2025, SB 140 expands Texas’ telemarketing law to cover SMS/MMS and image messages. Businesses who send marketing texts from Texas or to persons located in Texas must register with the Texas Secretary of State ($200 filing fee; $10,000 security deposit).
Publications
12, October 2023
Upcoming Compliance Date Under the Corporate Transparency Act
The Corporate Transparency Act (CTA) requires certain U.S. and foreign corporations,LLCs and other entities created by filing a document with a secretary of state (a ReportingCompany) to file a report with the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN) aboutits beneficial owners and company applicants, unless an exemption applies.
Insights & News
Press Release
30, October 2025
An Ruda Serves as Judge at the Berkeley Female Founders & Funders Summit
Honors and Awards
17, May 2023
Media Mentions
27, October 2025
Press Release
17, December 2025
Honors and Awards
26, November 2025
Patrick M. Ryan Named to Daily Journal’s 2025 “Top Antitrust Lawyers” List
Honors and Awards
23, September 2025
Patrick M. Ryan Earns Repeat Recognition as 2025 Top 100 Lawyer
Media Mentions
30, May 2025
Honors and Awards
01, January 2025
Bartko Pavia Earns Recognition in 2025 Best Law Firms® Rankings
Press Release
14, May 2025
Bartko Pavia’s Patrick M. Ryan obtains $222 million jury verdict against Walmart
Press Release
23, December 2025
Speaking Engagements
30, January 2026
An Nguyen Ruda Joins Panel on Law Firm Governance and Organizational Structure
Press Release
31, May 2019
Bartko Pavia Firm Obtains $845,114,000 Judgment for ASML Against XTAL, Inc.
Press Release
01, August 2025
Bartko Pavia Continues Strategic Expansion with Addition of Antitrust Partner Ian Papendick
Media Mentions
05, February 2024
Speaking Engagements
20, February 2026
An Nguyen Ruda Discusses Building Authentic Culture at Bartko Pavia LLP
Honors and Awards
24, January 2024
Speaking Engagements
17, February 2026
Giovanni Spinelli Presents at Milan Bar Seminar on Judicial and Prosecutorial Independence
Media Mentions
13, February 2026
AI and the Human Premium: An Nguyen Ruda on the Legal Late Night Podcast
Honors and Awards
08, November 2023
Press Release
11, March 2022
Bartko Pavia Scores Huge Defense Jury Verdict in $411 Million Sutter Health Antitrust Class Action
Press Release
07, February 2023
Press Release
30, October 2025
An Ruda Serves as Judge at the Berkeley Female Founders & Funders Summit
Honors and Awards
17, May 2023
Media Mentions
27, October 2025
Press Release
17, December 2025
Honors and Awards
26, November 2025
Patrick M. Ryan Named to Daily Journal’s 2025 “Top Antitrust Lawyers” List
Honors and Awards
23, September 2025
Patrick M. Ryan Earns Repeat Recognition as 2025 Top 100 Lawyer
Media Mentions
30, May 2025
Honors and Awards
01, January 2025
Bartko Pavia Earns Recognition in 2025 Best Law Firms® Rankings
Press Release
14, May 2025
Bartko Pavia’s Patrick M. Ryan obtains $222 million jury verdict against Walmart
Press Release
23, December 2025
Speaking Engagements
30, January 2026
An Nguyen Ruda Joins Panel on Law Firm Governance and Organizational Structure
Press Release
31, May 2019
Bartko Pavia Firm Obtains $845,114,000 Judgment for ASML Against XTAL, Inc.
Press Release
01, August 2025
Bartko Pavia Continues Strategic Expansion with Addition of Antitrust Partner Ian Papendick
Media Mentions
05, February 2024
Speaking Engagements
20, February 2026
An Nguyen Ruda Discusses Building Authentic Culture at Bartko Pavia LLP
Honors and Awards
24, January 2024
Speaking Engagements
17, February 2026
Giovanni Spinelli Presents at Milan Bar Seminar on Judicial and Prosecutorial Independence
Media Mentions
13, February 2026
AI and the Human Premium: An Nguyen Ruda on the Legal Late Night Podcast
Honors and Awards
08, November 2023
Press Release
11, March 2022
Bartko Pavia Scores Huge Defense Jury Verdict in $411 Million Sutter Health Antitrust Class Action
Press Release
07, February 2023
Press Release
30, October 2025
An Ruda Serves as Judge at the Berkeley Female Founders & Funders Summit
Honors and Awards
17, May 2023
Media Mentions
27, October 2025