Over the course of his distinguished 45-year career, John Hermes established himself as one of Oklahoma’s leading trial lawyers, representing clients in all forms of business-related litigation, including the prosecution and defense of cases involving banking, insurance coverage, franchises, healthcare, oil and gas, products liability, real estate transactions, securities, taxes, trusts, trademarks, and other commercial controversies. He retired from the firm in October 2020.
John’s many legal achievements earned him election as a fellow in the prestigious American College of Trial Lawyers and inclusion in Benchmark Litigation, The Best Lawyers in America (bet-the-company litigation; banking and finance litigation; commercial litigation; ethics and professional responsibility law; securities litigation), Chambers USA’s Guide to America’s Leading Lawyers for Business, Legal Media Group’s Guide to the Leading US Litigation Lawyers, and Oklahoma Super Lawyers, where he was named to its prestigious list of “Top 10 Oklahoma Lawyers.” He was selected by Best Lawyers as the “Oklahoma City Banking and Finance Litigation Lawyer of the Year” for 2012 and 2015 and “Oklahoma City Securities Litigation Lawyer of the Year” for 2019, honors given to a single lawyer in each legal specialty in each community.
In addition to his private practice, John was also active in the broader Oklahoma legal community, serving in leadership and advisory positions with the Oklahoma County Bar Association, Oklahoma Bar Association, Oklahoma Lawyers for Children, Legal Aid of Western Oklahoma, and Legal Aid Services of Oklahoma. In 2006, he was named a recipient of The Journal Record’s Leadership in Law Award in 2006. A year later, he was honored with the Oklahoma Bar Association’s Outstanding Pro Bono Service Award.
John’s contributions to the management of the firm were also many. Most notably, he previously served as the firm’s managing director for six years and as its general counsel.
Prior to entering law school, John served in the U.S. Army as a captain in military intelligence for four years.