John T. Bender

Recognized as one of the best litigators under 40 in the US by Benchmark Litigation, John represents public and private companies and entrepreneurs in cases involving exposure in the tens and hundreds of millions of dollars in high stakes commercial litigation and investigations. 

John prosecutes and defends high-profile and bet-the-company matters involving securities, breach of contract, partnership and shareholder disputes, corporate governance, claims of fraud and embezzlement, franchising, trade secrets, and emerging technologies, including blockchain, digital assets, and artificial intelligence. John also defends companies and individuals in matters involving regulatory agencies such as DFI, SEC, and state attorneys general. He also handles matters involving various forms of reputational harm.

In 2024, Benchmark Litigation named John to its “40 & Under List…the guide to the best and brightest litigators under 40 in the US.” He has been selected to the Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch^® every year since 2021. John has also been named to the Washington Rising Stars list in business litigation every year since 2017.

As a lawyer with experience at the intersection of US law and emerging technologies such as blockchain, digital assets, and AI, John frequently speaks and provides legal commentary and analysis covering these emerging areas; his cases have been featured in major publications, including TIME Magazine.

John also has substantial expertise in complex venture capital and private equity litigation, including cases involving claims of investment fraud and Ponzi scheme litigation, in state, federal, and bankruptcy courts. In particular, John represented major stakeholders in two of the largest cases of alleged investment fraud of record in Pacific Northwest history, in which creditors asserted over US$500 million in total losses. John served as court-appointed “Special Counsel” and lead trial lawyer in iCap Equity’s insolvency proceedings in which a federal court found that the enterprise operated a US$250+ million Ponzi scheme.

John has a substantial record of thought leadership and pro bono service. He is a member of the Steering Committee for the Washington Technology Industry Association’s Cascadia Blockchain Council. He is an Advisory Board Member of the WTIA’s Advanced Technology Advisory Board. He served as a member of the Washington Blockchain Workgroup sponsored by the Washington State Department of Commerce. He was appointed to the Washington State Bar Association’s Legal Technology Task Force. He is a past volunteer and speaker for the City of Seattle’s New Citizen Campaign. He is also a past member and chair of the Washington State Bar Association’s Mandatory Continuing Legal Education Board.

John received a B.A. from Seattle University, a J.D. from University of Washington, and an LL.M. from the University of California, Berkeley.

Featured Cases

Served as court-appointed Special Litigation Counsel and Lead Trial Counsel in In re iCap Enterprises. As Lead Trial Counsel, successfully obtained dispositive determination that iCap operated a US$200+ million “Ponzi” scheme at trial. Part of team that obtained M&A Advisor’s Restructuring of the Year Award in 2025. The case and John’s representation was reported on by Seattle Times.

Served as court-appointed Special Counsel to the Committee of Unsecured Creditors in Chapter 11 bankruptcy proceedings of “WaterStation Technology” involving cumulative creditor and investor losses of over US$250 million.

Lead Counsel in high-profile securities fraud action on behalf of over two dozen investors in Bellevue, Washington real estate investment firm with over US$20 million in losses. Obtained sweeping injunctive relief freezing bank accounts and real estate assets and requiring resignation of the company’s CEO. The case and John’s representation was reported on by Seattle Times.

Lead Counsel in high-profile securities fraud action on behalf of 60+ investment vehicles alleging nearly US$70 million in losses in alleged nationwide investor-franchise scheme. Successfully obtained sweeping, first-in-the-nation injunctive relief against enterprise and preliminary finding that company likely sold unregistered securities. The case and John’s representation was covered by local and national media, including Seattle Times and Wall Street Journal.

Successfully represented publicly traded media holding and publishing companies in defense of high-profile multiparty breach of contract matter brought by public entity in Washington claiming US$200 million in damages.

Successfully represented public agency in connection with civil and criminal investigation and litigation efforts to recover approximately US$6 million of embezzled assets in one of largest public misappropriation cases of record in state history.

Successfully represented investors in securities fraud and breach of contract litigation against failed cryptocurrency and blockchain venture – recovered nearly US$4 million in investment funds for investors. Successfully obtained early ruling that cryptocurrency offering likely constituted a security, likely first of its kind in Washington state.

Represented high-profile blockchain/NFT project and its founders in response to SEC investigation following launch of digital token or “ICO”. The case and John’s representation was covered in investigative reporting by Time.

Successfully defended a publicly traded company against trade secret misappropriation charged by a competing brokerage asserting over US$30 million in damages. Part of team that obtained US$150,000 sanctions award against opposing party for discovery violations.

Represented a private hedge fund against a Washington Department of Financial Institutions enforcement action.

Represented a renowned New York art foundation in multiple trademark actions to enforce the foundation’s marks. 

Represented a publicly traded virtual currency ATM company in an action to enforce a vendor agreement.

Represented an early-stage stablecoin startup to enforce a technology services agreement against a financial services corporation.

Defended a local coffee chain in a high-profile trademark infringement action brought by a Seattle, Washington landmark.