A fellow of both the American College of Trial Lawyers and the Academy of Trial Lawyers of Allegheny County, John K. Gisleson is a trial lawyer with a particular focus on energy, environmental, construction, and financial matters. John applies a creative and trial-ready approach to achieve client objectives across a broad range of complex business litigation, recognizing that every client, every case, and every trial has its unique characteristics, needs, and goals. He has served as lead trial counsel in both defending and prosecuting matters in federal and state courts, and has represented clients in arbitration.
Able to try cases on short notice, John has tried cases in the construction, energy, environmental, financial institution, manufacturing, real estate, retail, securities, and waste industries.
John also maintains an active pro bono practice. His pro bono work has included defending a man convicted of first-degree murder who obtained a new trial on culpability that was to focus on degree of guilt. John previously conducted an asylum appeal for a Croatian woman who was a domestic violence victim in that country. He has experience working on death penalty cases. John was involved in a constitutional challenge to the elimination of the International Baccalaureate Programme in a Pittsburgh-area school district, resulting in the program’s reinstatement.
Energy and Environmental Litigation
Business Litigation
Construction Claims
Fellow, American College of Trial Lawyers
Fellow, Academy of Trial Lawyers of Allegheny County
Rated AV® Preeminent by Martindale-Hubbell®
President, American Inns of Court, Pittsburgh Chapter (Master)
Member, Pennsylvania Independent Oil and Gas Association (PIOGA)
Recognized, Leaders in Environmental Law, Environmental Litigation, Lawdragon Green 500 (2024)
Listed, The Best Lawyers in America, Commercial Litigation, Pittsburgh (2013–2020, 2022–2025)
Recognized, Leaders in Environmental Law, Environmental Litigation, Lawdragon Green 500 (2023)
Recognized, Business Litigation, Pennsylvania Super Lawyers (2004–2022)
Recommended, Energy: Energy litigation: oil and gas, The Legal 500 US (2024)
Recommended, Industry focus: Energy litigation: electric power, The Legal 500 US (2023)
Recommended, Industry focus: Energy litigation: oil and gas, The Legal 500 US (2018–2023)
Recommended, Industry focus: Energy litigation: conventional power, The Legal 500 US (2019–2022)
Recommended, Industry focus: Environment: litigation, The Legal 500 US (2019)
Member, Practice Group of the Year, Environmental, Law360 (2017, 2019)
Recognized, Who’s Who in Energy, Pittsburgh Business Times (2017)
Fellow, Academy of Advocacy of Temple University (2001)
Fellow, Allegheny County Bar Foundation
Member, Allegheny County Bar Association
Member, Washington County Bar Association
Former Chair, Energy Section of the Washington County Bar Association
Former Chair, Civil Litigation Section Council of the Allegheny County Bar Association
Past Member, Board of Trustees, Carlow University
Past President of the Board of Trustees, Pittsburgh Youth Symphony Orchestra
Graduate, Leadership Pittsburgh XIX