John M. Alton

In 2026 John Alton is one of only two full time mediators among the top 50 Columbus lawyers in Ohio Super Lawyers.

John's civil litigation background is almost equally divided between defense lawyer, plaintiff lawyer and private mediator.

From 1977-2017 John Alton represented defendants and plaintiffs in various types of litigation matters including personal injury, wrongful death, medical negligence, product liability, legal malpractice, employment, insurance coverage disputes, etc. 

Since 2017 John has been almost exclusively a private mediator throughout Ohio and contiguous states at the request of defense and plaintiff lawyers, insurance companies, hospitals, long term care facilities, political subdivisions, product and medical device product manufacturers and numerous other individuals and business entities.

Types of cases John has mediated include business / commercial litigation, personal injury and wrongful death, medical negligence, product liability, trucking / transportation, human trafficking, construction accidents, medical device product liability, 1983 actions, political subdivision liability, legal malpractice, nursing home and long term care negligence, workplace injury, negligent security, intentional tort, hospitality, asbestos injury, premises liability, employment, eminent domain, insurance coverage, school law, First Amendment and defamation.

John Alton may be reached at jalton@johnalton.com or (614) 439-6526. Mediations may also be scheduled on line at www.johnalton.com or www.nadn.org.

Duke University, Cum Laude with Distinction in Psychology (B.A., 1974)

Southern Methodist University Dedman School of Law (J.D., 1977)

Ohio Super Lawyers (2021-present, Alternative Dispute Resolution and Top 50 Columbus Lawyers) 

National Academy of Distinguished Neutrals (www.NADN.org: 2020-present)

Ohio Supreme Court Committee on Alternative Dispute Resolution (1996-1998)

American College of Trial Lawyers (2000-present); Ohio's State Committee (2009-2023) and State Chair (2017-2019)

American Board of Trial Advocates (1996-present); Ohio Chapter's Michael F. Colley Award Recipient (2023), President (2022) and Membership Chair (2023-present)

National Board of Trial Advocacy (Certified in Civil Trial Advocacy, 1997-2010)

International Association of Defense Counsel (1985-1994)

Columbus Bar Association (1977-present); Professional Ethics Committee (1997-1999)

Ohio Super Lawyers (2004-2020, Plaintiff Medical Malpractice)

Martindale Hubbell Bar Register of Preeminent Attorneys (1992-2020, Defense and Plaintiff Medical Malpractice)

Best Lawyers (2008-present); Professional Malpractice Lawyer of the Year (2020)

John Alton's hourly rate is $450 for preparation, the mediation itself and post mediation involvement.

John Alton does not charge for expenses such as parking, hotels, food, mileage, photocopies, etc.