John S. Devlin, III
Ballard Spahr LLP
Recognized for
International Arbitration
The Elite Counsel Perspective
Fellow advocates have reason to admire John’s formidable international arbitration advocacy, shaped by UNCITRAL and LCIA proceedings and more than 30 trials.
Fellow advocates have reason to admire John’s formidable international arbitration advocacy, shaped by UNCITRAL and LCIA proceedings and more than 30 trials.
Overview
John Devlin chairs Ballard Spahr’s International Arbitration Team and co-leads the firm’s Arbitration Practice Group. He has represented clients in numerous institutional and ad hoc arbitrations, including proceedings under the UNCITRAL Arbitration Rules, before the International Centre for Dispute Resolution of the American Arbitration Association, and in the London Court of International Arbitration. His international arbitration work spans commercial and public international law issues across a range of sectors and has involved French, German, British, Brazilian, and Canadian entities.
John’s practice also includes alternative dispute resolution and domestic and multi-jurisdictional litigation. A trial lawyer as well as an arbitration advocate, he has tried more than 30 bench and jury cases in state and federal courts. That courtroom experience sits alongside his work in proceedings outside the courts, giving his practice a mix of arbitration and litigation matters.
His litigation background includes pursuing lenders’ claims nationwide concerning lien interests in real property seized by the U.S. government under the Supplemental Admiralty Rules of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure. He has also defended employers in complex employment litigation. In matters involving clients operating in highly regulated spaces, John has addressed issues under the Civil Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act, Fair Credit Reporting Act, Real Estate Settlement Procedures Act, Sarbanes-Oxley Act, Truth in Lending Act, and Washington Consumer Protection Act.
John has been recognized by Chambers USA. He is a West Point graduate and a former U.S. Army Airborne Ranger.
Representative Experience
Johnson v. MGM Studios Inc. and Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment LLC
Case No. 2:17-cv-00541-RSM | U.S. District Court, Western District of Washington | Seattle, Washington
Nationwide class action alleging violation of Washington's Consumer Protection Act.
Frank v. Cannabis and Glass, et al.
Case No. Case No. 2:19-cv-00250-SAB | U.S. District Court, Western District of Washington | Seattle, Washington
Class action alleging violation of the federal Telephone Consumer Protection Act.
Healthy Halo Insurance Services, LLC
Case No. Case No. 2:21-cv-104 | U.S. District Court, Western District of Washington | Seattle, Washington
Class action alleging violation of the federal Telephone Consumer Protection Act.
Barker v. Thrive Causemetics, Inc. et al.
Case No. 2:18-cv-01470-TSZ | U.S. District Court, Western District of Washington
Defended client in class action alleging fraud and violation of Washington Consumer Protection Act.
Fishing Company of Alaska v. MAN Diesel
London Court of International Arbitration
International contract.
Brunswick v. Milmar, LTDA (Brazil)
AAA Arbitration
International contract.
Claircom de Mexico v. Cingular Wireless (Mexico)
U.S. District Court, Western District of Washington
International contract.
Derry v. Aeromaster Airways, S.A. (Ecuador)
U.S. District Court, District of Oregon
International contract.
Douglas v. ReconTrust Company, N.A.
U.S. District Court, Western District of Washington
Class action alleging violation of Washington Consumer Protection Act.
Education
- Tulane University School of Law (J.D., cum laude, 1994)
- Tulane Law Review, Managing Editor
- Moot Court Trial and Appellate Competition Champion, 1993-1994
- U.S. Military Academy at West Point (B.S. 1985)
Admissions
- Washington
- U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Washington
- U.S. District Court for the Western District of Washington
- U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit
- Admitted pro hac vice in a number of other jurisdictions
Honors & Recognition
AV Preeminent in Martindale-Hubbell Peer Review Ratings
Chambers USA, Litigation: General Commercial (Washington), 2022-2026
The Best Lawyers in America, Commercial Litigation, International Arbitration - Commercial (Seattle), 2026, 2027
Thomson Reuters, "Washington Super Lawyer," Class Action/Mass Torts Defense, 2010-2025
Thomson Reuters, "Top 100 Washington Super Lawyers," 2015, 2022-2023, 2025
Distinguished Member of the 75th Ranger Regiment
Professional Associations
American Bar Association, International Arbitration Committee, Vice Chair, 2018-present
Lane Powell PC, Board of Directors; Trial Lawyer, Associate/Partner, 1994-2024