Resume
PROFESSIONAL SUMMARY
With over 37 years of experience in construction litigation and dispute resolution, John D. Hanover, Esq. is a seasoned construction law expert. His litigation practice focused exclusively on counseling clients in all roles of the building process for private and public works. His experience includes representing clients in complex, high-value disputes in hundreds of jury and nonjury trials, arbitrations, and mediations in matters involving contract disputes, schedule claims, unforeseen site conditions, and payment remedies to claims of defective work.
Mr. Hanover is known for his pragmatic and solutions-driven approach, with clients often describing him as “brilliant,” “reasonable,” and “practical.” His deep understanding of construction law, combined with his strong negotiation skills and calm demeanor under pressure, make him an ideal neutral for construction law disputes.
Mr. Hanover’s prior experience includes serving as Leader of the Construction & Government Contracts practice group at Alston & Bird and as Managing Partner of Peckar & Abramson’s three West Coast offices. He also held the role of outside general counsel for an international engineering, project management, and construction services firm, where he managed high-profile U.S. litigation matters.
In 2020, Mr. Hanover was named a “Client Service All-Star” by BTI Consulting Group, as well as one of the “Top Litigators & Trial Lawyers” in Los Angeles by Los Angeles Business Journal. He is ranked in Band 1 in Construction and Band 2 in International Arbitration: Construction in Chambers USA: America’s Leading Lawyers for Business, identified as a Thought Leader in construction law in Who’s Who Legal, is listed in The Best Lawyers of America® for Construction Law and Construction Litigation, and is a Fellow of the Construction Lawyers Society of America.
Mr. Hanover holds a B.A., summa cum laude, from Tufts University and a J.D. from Vanderbilt University School of Law. He is admitted to practice in California, Colorado, Nevada, and Tennessee and remains an active member of the American Bar Association’s Forum on Construction Law and Litigation Section and the Los Angeles County Bar Association, where he served as Chair of the Construction Law Subsection of the Real Property Section.
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
- ADR Services, Inc.: Mediator, Arbitrator, Referee, Special Master, 2024-Present
- Alston & Bird: Partner, Construction & Government Contracts Group, 2017-2024
- Banes Capital Group, LLC: President and General Counsel, 2012-2017
- Peckar & Abramson, P.C.: Independent Contractor, 2012-2017
- Peckar & Abramson, P.C.: Partner, 2004-2012
- Hamburg, Hanover, Edwards & Martin LLP: Founding Partner, 1994-2002
- Fierstein & Sturman: Associate/Partner, 1988-1992
- Hanover, Walsh, Jalenak & Blair: Associate, 1986-1988
AREAS OF SPECIALIZATION
- Construction Law
- Real Estate
- Neutral Evaluation
- Business and Commercial
- Complex Litigation
- Dispute Avoidance and Resolution Board (DARB)
- International Arbitration
- Insurance Coverage and Bad Faith
- Employment
EDUCATION
- J.D., Vanderbilt University, 1986
- B.A., Tufts University, 1983
MEDIATION TRAINING
- Certification, American Institute of Mediation, “Mediating Commercial and Litigated Cases”, September 2024
- Certification, Straus Institute for Dispute Resolution at Pepperdine University School of Law, “Mediating Complex Construction Disputes”, June 2017
BAR ADMISSIONS
- California
- Colorado
- Nevada
- Tennessee
MEMBERSHIPS
- American Bar Association, Forum on Construction Law and Litigation Section
- L.A. County Bar Association, Construction Law Subsection of Real Property Section, Chair
- Jewish Federation of Greater Los Angeles, Legal Division, Chair, 2006-2007
- Wexner Heritage Program, 2003-2005
- Los Angeles Hillel Council, President, 2002-2004
- Construction Lawyers Society of America
HONORS & AWARDS
- Chambers Top Ranked USA, 2025
- Band 1: Construction, California, 17 years ranked
- Band 2: Construction: International Disputes, Nationwide, 2 years ranked
