John Sullivan > Hogan Lovells US LLP > New York, United States > Lawyer Profile

Hogan Lovells US LLP
875 THIRD AVENUE
NEW YORK, NY 10022
NEW YORK
United States

Work Department

Litigation, Arbitration, and Employment

Position

Partner

Career

Over the past 20 years, major automotive companies have turned to John Sullivan to represent them in courts and administrative agencies throughout the U.S. With a focus on franchise litigation and related disputes, John has represented Acura, Ferrari, Ford, Harley-Davidson, Honda, Hyundai, Jaguar, Kia, Land Rover, Mazda, Mercedes-Benz, Porsche, Toyota, and Volvo.

John has also represented companies in specialized motor vehicle areas, such as ambulances and fire engines. He has written amicus briefs on important issues in the industry for its leading trade association, the Alliance of Automobile Manufacturers. In addition to representing automotive clients in litigation, John advises them on the applicable laws of all 50 states to help them fashion national programs and avoid lawsuits by dealers and investigations by regulators.

John attended New York University School of Law, where he served as managing editor of the Law Review and was a member of the Order of the Coif. Following law school, John clerked for the Honorable Thomas M. Reavley of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit. He practiced for many years as a general litigator, handling matters including bankruptcy, class actions, commodities, constitutional law, creditors’ rights, criminal law, directors’ and officers’ liability, employment, intellectual property, legal malpractice, sales, securities, and unfair competition.

Languages

English

Education

J.D., New York University School of Law, Order of the Coif, 1980

B.A., Cornell University, with distinction, 1976

Lawyer Rankings

United States > Transport > Rail and road: litigation and regulation

With ‘an incredible grasp of the industry‘, Hogan Lovells US LLP‘s global automotive sector team acts for both traditional automotive companies and emerging mobility industry players. On the rail side, the transportation department is sought out by both freight and passenger railroad clients, and the team has particular expertise in the transportation of hazardous materials by rail, including regulatory compliance issues. Latane Montague focuses on the transportation industry’s safety and environmental regulations, Kevin Sheys is ‘extremely knowledgeable about railroad law‘, and Joanne Rotondi advises automotive manufacturers and suppliers on emissions, fuel economy, and greenhouse gas issues. Also key to the department, Michael Kidney defends clients in lawsuits targeting the automotive industry, William Yavinsky co-heads the global automotive industry sector group, and Ryan Ford is an experienced litigator and trial lawyer. In New York, John Sullivan is a franchise litigation expert, and senior counsel Carl Chiappa is a highly-rated motor vehicle franchise law specialist. Outside counsel for the Railway Supply Institute, Emily Kimball in Denver was promoted to partner in January 2023, counsel Hannah Graae is a regulatory expert, and senior associate Carolyn Kraska acts for a range of rail clients. All attorneys listed are in Washington DC, unless otherwise stated.