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
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).
Speaking Engagements
04, September 2025
An Nguyen Ruda and Josiah Jenkins Present for the San Francisco Employer Advisory Council
Bartko Pavia's CEO & Co-Managing partner An Nguyen Ruda and associate Josiah Jenkins will present for the (SF EAC) California Employer Advisory Council on DEI: A New Four-Letter Bad Word and What It Means in this New Environment on September 11th, in San Francisco. This seminar features discussions on the latest legal changes impacting DEI programs, compliance strategies and risk-reduction tacticsand how to design DEI initiatives that align with today’s shifting landscape
Media Mentions
07, August 2025
Law360 Spotlights Ian Papendick’s Arrival at Bartko Pavia
Ian Papendick, a seasoned antitrust attorney and former enforcer with the Colorado Attorney General’s Office, was recently featured in Law360 following his arrival at Bartko Pavia LLP as a litigation and antitrust partner.
Press Release
30, October 2025
An Ruda Serves as Judge at the Berkeley Female Founders & Funders Summit
Media Mentions
27, October 2025
Press Release
09, October 2025
Steve Vieux to Chair the California Lawyers Association’s Golden State Institute
Press Release
08, October 2025
Melissa Harvey to Present at ICSC on Non-Retail Development in Shopping Centers
Publications
06, October 2025
Meredith Vanderbilt Publishes Article in AHLA Health Law Weekly on FDA Drug Shortage Tracking
Press Release
03, October 2025
Howland Gordon to Participate in ICSC Mock Negotiation on Anchor Exclusives
Press Release
29, September 2025
ABA Antitrust Plaintiffs’ Roundtable Will Feature Insights from Ian Papendick
Press Release
24, September 2025
Honors and Awards
23, September 2025
Patrick M. Ryan Earns Repeat Recognition as 2025 Top 100 Lawyer
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).
Speaking Engagements
04, September 2025
An Nguyen Ruda and Josiah Jenkins Present for the San Francisco Employer Advisory Council
Bartko Pavia's CEO & Co-Managing partner An Nguyen Ruda and associate Josiah Jenkins will present for the (SF EAC) California Employer Advisory Council on DEI: A New Four-Letter Bad Word and What It Means in this New Environment on September 11th, in San Francisco. This seminar features discussions on the latest legal changes impacting DEI programs, compliance strategies and risk-reduction tacticsand how to design DEI initiatives that align with today’s shifting landscape
Media Mentions
07, August 2025
Law360 Spotlights Ian Papendick’s Arrival at Bartko Pavia
Ian Papendick, a seasoned antitrust attorney and former enforcer with the Colorado Attorney General’s Office, was recently featured in Law360 following his arrival at Bartko Pavia LLP as a litigation and antitrust partner.
Press Release
30, October 2025
An Ruda Serves as Judge at the Berkeley Female Founders & Funders Summit
Media Mentions
27, October 2025
Press Release
09, October 2025
Steve Vieux to Chair the California Lawyers Association’s Golden State Institute
Press Release
08, October 2025
Melissa Harvey to Present at ICSC on Non-Retail Development in Shopping Centers
Publications
06, October 2025
Meredith Vanderbilt Publishes Article in AHLA Health Law Weekly on FDA Drug Shortage Tracking
Press Release
03, October 2025
Howland Gordon to Participate in ICSC Mock Negotiation on Anchor Exclusives
Press Release
29, September 2025
ABA Antitrust Plaintiffs’ Roundtable Will Feature Insights from Ian Papendick
Press Release
24, September 2025
Honors and Awards
23, September 2025
Patrick M. Ryan Earns Repeat Recognition as 2025 Top 100 Lawyer
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).
Speaking Engagements
04, September 2025
An Nguyen Ruda and Josiah Jenkins Present for the San Francisco Employer Advisory Council
Bartko Pavia's CEO & Co-Managing partner An Nguyen Ruda and associate Josiah Jenkins will present for the (SF EAC) California Employer Advisory Council on DEI: A New Four-Letter Bad Word and What It Means in this New Environment on September 11th, in San Francisco. This seminar features discussions on the latest legal changes impacting DEI programs, compliance strategies and risk-reduction tacticsand how to design DEI initiatives that align with today’s shifting landscape
Media Mentions
07, August 2025
Law360 Spotlights Ian Papendick’s Arrival at Bartko Pavia
Ian Papendick, a seasoned antitrust attorney and former enforcer with the Colorado Attorney General’s Office, was recently featured in Law360 following his arrival at Bartko Pavia LLP as a litigation and antitrust partner.