Vaughn, James R.

Concentration: Business Litigation and Arbitration; Appellate Practice; Internal Investigations; and State Taxation (including alcohol)

John Larkins is a graduate of Vanderbilt University (BA 1973) and the University of Georgia School of Law (JD 1976). Following graduation from law school, he practiced law in Athens, Georgia for 10 years. He was an instructor in legal research and writing at the University of Georgia School of Law (1977-78), and briefly served as judge pro hac vice of the county Probate Court. He joined the Atlanta law firm then known as Chilivis & Grindler in 1986, which later became Chilivis, Cochran, Larkins & Bever LLP. Mr. Larkins is listed in both Best Lawyers In America (Business Litigation) and Georgia Super Lawyers and was named in Atlanta Magazine's listing of "Best Lawyers in Atlanta" (Business Litigation). Mr. Larkins is the author of several publications, including the first treatise on general contract law in Georgia, Georgia Contracts: Law & Litigation (West Group, 2002) and an article, "Oral Argument On Motions," originally published in Litigation and reprinted in The Litigation Manual Pre-Trial (ABA Section of Litigation, 1999). He has chaired and spoken at several CLE Seminars on issues of corporate litigation, damages, deposition preparation and contract law. He has appeared in more than 40 appellate cases. In 2006, The Judicial Council of Georgia appointed Mr. Larkins to the Georgia Board of Court Reporting.

Representative significant matters:

• Represented Army lieutenant colonels in class action alleging reverse discrimination in termination, achieving a $50,274,000 settlement (Christian v. United States, 46 Fed. Cl. 793 (2000); 49 Fed. Cl. 720 (2001); 337 F.3d 1338 (Fed Cir. 2003))
• Represented University of Georgia Research Foundation in fraud action involving patent license (Meadow River Lumber Co. v. University of Ga. Research Foundation, Inc., 233 Ga. App. 169, 503 S.E.2d 655 (1998).)
• Represented several banks in litigation with Georgia Department of Revenue concerning unclaimed property regulations (Georgia Superior Court/Court of Appeals, First Union Nat. Bank of Ga. v. Collins, 221 Ga. App. 442 (1996))
• Represented several State officials in litigation concerning retirement benefits from State of Georgia (Georgia Superior Court/Court of Appeals/Supreme Court, Evans v. Employees Retirement System of Georgia, 264 Ga. 729 (1994))
• Represented major spring water producer and distributor in injunction against state regulations (Georgia Dept. of Agriculture v. Georgia Crown Distrib. Co. , 262 Ga. 761, 425 S.E. 2d 876 (1993).)
• Represented major utilities in ad valorem tax litigation against State (various forums and Telecom* USA v. Collins, 260 Ga. 362, 393 S.E.2d 235) (1990)
• Represented special litigation committee of NYSE Company regarding claims resulting from merger with another NYSE company
• Represented shareholders in dissenters' rights litigation, obtaining judgment in excess of $1.2 million (Georgia Superior Court)
• Represented major law firms, attorneys, and judge in disciplinary, legal malpractice, and similar matters (various forums)