Attorney Profile
John P. Gonzales
Areas of Practice
Contact Info
Overview
John is a shareholder in the Philadelphia office of Marshall Dennehey. He practices in the areas of civil rights, municipal liability, school claims and employment law.
John has represented police officers and public officials in state and federal court in all aspects of civil rights litigation including claims involving use of force, wrongful arrest and land use. In addition, John has represented public and private employers in wrongful discharge, employment discrimination and defamation claims from administrative proceedings through trial. John has tried dozens of cases in state and federal courts and argued cases before the Third Circuit Court of Appeals.
In addition to his trial work, John has presented numerous seminars to police departments, law firms and government agencies in the areas of police practices, civil rights issues and municipal liability. He has consulted with police departments concerning the development of policies and procedures and provided advice and guidance to employers concerning employment-related matters.
John received his juris doctor from Temple University School of Law, where he was a member of the Moot Court Honor Society, and graduated from the University of Scranton with a Bachelor of Arts in history and philosophy and a Master of Arts in history. He is admitted to practice in Pennsylvania and the U.S. District Courts for the Eastern and Middle Districts of Pennsylvania and the Third Circuit Court of Appeals.
Results
Defense verdict for local police department in case involving false arrest and malicious prosecution arising out of the misidentification of a suspect in a police lineup.
Defense verdict for county employer in case involving Title VII Sex Discrimination in the termination of a county court reporter.
Defense verdict for county employer in case involving allegations of sexual harassment and hostile work environment at a county prison.
Defense verdict for local police department in case involving allegations of false arrest and excessive force arising out of the arrest of a suspect who allegedly assaulted a police officer during a traffic incident.
Successful defense of a local police department in the district court and then on appeal to the Third Circuit in case involving allegations of excessive force in the death of a suspect who was alleged to have died while in custody from compression asphyxia.
Successful defense of a local municipality in the district court and then on appeal to the Third Circuit in case involving a land use civil rights claim that a developer's substantive due process rights were violated in the context of zoning and land use decisions by a Board of Supervisors.
Defense verdict for county employer in case involving claims of first amendment retaliation by a former deputy chief probation officer.
Defense verdict for local police officers accused of wrongfully arresting a husband in a domestic dispute.
Defense verdict for township detective accused of racial discrimination and conspiracy by an African American police officer in a failure to hire case.
Thought Leadership
Workers' Compensation Winter Roundup, Graham Company webinar, December 15, 2020
Understanding the Debate with the ADA, FMLA and Workers’ Compensation, Marshall Dennehey webinar, October 27, 2020
Mitigating the Risk of Workplace Bullying, Marshall Dennehey Workers' Compensation Seminar, October 24, 2019
Local Government Immunity in Pennsylvania, Client Seminar, October 2018
Deal or No Deal - Improving Your Negotiating Strategy, Philadelphia Law Department, August 2018
Legal Updates for Law Enforcement, Pennsylvania Chiefs of Police Association's Centennial Training Education Conference, July 14, 2014
Managing a Maturing Workforce: The Legal Perspective, Delaware Valley Trust, June 2014
Social Media & Cyber Breaches: the Internet's Impact on Your Business, The Graham Company, co-presenter, May 2014
Navigating The Bermuda Triangle: The Intersection of Workers' Compensation, FMLA and ADA, Roadmap to Success - Understanding Workers' Compensation, Marshall Dennehey seminar, October 24, 2013
Hot Topics in Employment, Marshall Dennehey / AIG Seminar, Philadelphia, PA, October 10, 2013
Land Use Litigation and Liability Issues for Local Government, Delaware Founders Insurance Trust, September 2011
Land Use Civil Rights and Avoiding Liability video and webinar, Delaware Valley Insurance Trust, 2009
Police Liability Seminar, Delaware Valley Insurance Trust, November 2007
Law Enforcement Seminar - Use of Force Issues, Dauphin County, 2006
Train the Trainers Program, Municipal Police Officer Education and Training Commission, November 2005
Use of Force in Pennsylvania, Lorman Education Services, CLE, February 4, 2005
Use of Force in Pennsylvania, Lorman Education Services, CLE, February 6, 2004
Tort Claims Act, Delaware Valley Insurance Trust, March 2004
Civil Rights Liability, Delaware Valley Insurance Trust, March 2004
"Pennsylvania's Emergence Code: An Additional Level of Protection for Municipalities and Their Employees Performing Emergency Services," Defense Digest, Vol. 6, No. 2, April 2000
Co-author, "Sex-Based Shift Assignments: Employers May Use Common Sense," Defense Digest, Vol. 2, No. 7, 1996
Co-author, "Employment Discrimination Claims: Arbitration Under Collective Bargaining Clauses," Defense Digest, Vol. 2, No. 6, 1996
Co-author, "Third Circuit Takes Pennsylvania Beyond 402(A)," Defense Digest, Winter, 1994