John graduated with honors from the University of Pittsburgh with a double major in history and psychology. He followed up at Pitt with a Masters Degree in Counseling. After graduate school, John received a juris doctor from The University of Florida Law School. John began his career in law in Pittsburgh as an insurance defense attorney. John returned to Florida as an attorney with the Sarasota County State Attorney’s Office where he prosecuted hundreds of cases. Then, John was offered the chief corporate Counsel position in Gainesville, Florida for Athletic Attic, one of the largest athletic shoe companies in the United States at the time. Finally, in 1983, John founded his plaintiff’s firm in Central Florida. John’s brother Richard joined John in 1992 and together they have had the privilege of representing over ten thousand clients. John has an “Old School philosophy,” he believes “If you treat people right, you don’t have to advertise. Those people will tell others of your good work.”
John is highly devoted to his family. He was raised by his parents to value all people equally. John has friends and clients from all walks of life. John’s wife of 39 years, Lana was a successful real estate attorney in Central Florida. John and Lana have two children, Bobby and Katie. Both Bobby and Katie have joined their father in his work at Sunner and Sunner.
John loves sports and is highly competitive. This spirit helps him in his practice of law. He played baseball in college and turned down an offer from The Pittsburgh Pirates to start play in the minors. Instead, he chose to follow his goal to be an attorney. John loves tennis and has remained a highly ranked player for years. John also enjoys traveling with his family, snow skiing, playing basketball, and golfing. He is an avid fan of the Orlando Magic (a season ticket holder since the start-up in 1989), Florida Gators, the Pittsburgh Panthers, and the Pittsburgh Steelers.
John and his family are members of the Wekiva Presbyterian Church in Longwood, Florida. John and his wife donate to particular charities in Florida.
Present Memberships:
- Florida Bar, 1978
- Pennsylvania Bar, 1978 (currently inactive)
- American Bar Association, 1978
- United States Western District of Pennsylvania, 1978
- United States Western District Court of Florida, 1983
Past Memberships:
- Allegheny County Bar
- Alachua County Bar
- Orange County Bar
- Seminole County Bar
- Academy of Florida Trial Lawyers
