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Overview
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Experience
Introduction
John represents clients in commercial litigation, including privacy, security, internet, and communications law matters.
John K. Roche tries cases, briefs and argues appeals in state and federal courts, handles matters before arbitration authorities, and counsels clients on compliance involving privacy, internet, and communications issues. He helps manage and oversee one of the largest subpoena, court order, and search warrant compliance programs for communications providers subject to the federal Stored Communications Act, Wiretap Act, Pen-Trap statute, Telecommunications Act, and Communications Assistance for Law Enforcement Act.
John is experienced in matters involving customer proprietary network information, the Controlling the Assault of Non-Solicited Pornography and Marketing Act, the Communications Decency Act, and the First and Fourth Amendments. He has also assisted clients in responding to computer intrusions and trade secret theft, including matters involving the Computer Fraud and Abuse Act and state computer intrusion laws.
John has represented clients before the Federal Communications Commission, the FTC, and numerous state commissions in privacy investigations and telecommunications matters. He also advises clients in the uncrewed aerial systems (UAS) industry on privacy issues, including the development of privacy policies. His work for a major UAS client helped lead to the adoption of voluntary privacy best practices for commercial and private UAS use in the national airspace.
John maintains an active pro bono practice representing survivors of domestic violence. He is a recipient of the Legal Services of Northern Virginia’s Pro Bono Attorney of the Year Award and Ashurst Perkins Coie's prestigious Pro Bono Leadership Award for this work.
Education & credentials
- William & Mary Law School, J.D., Notes Editor, William & Mary Bill of Rights Journal, 2004
- Georgetown University, B.A.S., Government, 1999
- District of Columbia
- Virginia
- Maryland
- U.S. Court of Appeals for the First Circuit
- U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit
- U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit
- U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit
- U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia
- U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia
- U.S. District Court for the District of Maryland
- U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the District of Columbia
- U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Eastern District of Virginia
- U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the District of Maryland
- U.S. District Court for the Western District of Virginia
Professional recognition
Legal Services of Northern Virginia’s Pro Bono Attorney of the Year Award, 2025
Listed in Lawdragon 500 Leading Global Cyber Lawyers, 2024-2025
Listed in Washington D.C. Super Lawyers, 2013-2014
Impact
- International Association of Privacy Professionals
- American Bar Association
- Virginia Bar Association
- District of Columbia Bar Association
- Virginia Committee for Employer Support of the Guard & Reserve, Ombudsman, 2007-2016
- Legal Services of Northern Virginia, Domestic Violence Project, Volunteer Trial Counsel
- Legal Aid Society of the District of Columbia, Volunteer Trial Counsel
- Just Neighbors Immigrant Ministry, Volunteer Attorney
- William & Mary School of Law, Co-Counsel Mentoring Program
- Blessed Sacrament School, Annual Fund Committee
American Council on Education v. F.C.C.
U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit
Appeal of F.C.C. order regarding CALEA and broadband access and services.
AT&T Corporation v. BellSouth Long Distance Inc. & Qwest Communications Corporation
U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York
Defense of action for tortious interference with contract and unjust enrichment.
Pacific Bell Telephone Company v. California Public Utilities Commission, et al.
U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California
Defense of action related to an appeal from a state commission rate-setting order.
Qwest Communications Corporation v. City of New York
U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of New York
Challenge to municipal telecommunications franchise agreement, under section 253 of the Telecommunications Act of 1996 and the Civil Rights Act.
Qwest Corporation v. Arizona Corporation Commission, et al.
U.S. District Court for the District of Arizona
Prosecution of claims under sections 251 & 271 of the Telecommunications Act of 1996.
Qwest Corporation v. Public Service Commission of Utah
U.S. Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit
Appeal under the Telecommunications Act of 1996 regarding the jurisdiction of state administrative agencies to review commercial agreements between telecommunications carriers.
Qwest Corporation v. Public Utilities Commission of Colorado
U.S. Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit
Appeal under the Telecommunications Act of 1996 regarding the jurisdiction of state administrative agencies to review commercial agreements between telecommunications carriers.
Captaris Inc. v. Captara Corporation, et al.
U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia
Prosecution of action for trademark infringement.
Big Fish Games Inc. v. iWin Inc.
U.S. District Court for the Western District of Washington
Obtained preliminary and permanent injunctive relief for client Big Fish Games, in a case alleging violations of the Computer Fraud and Abuse Act, RICO, Uniform Trade Secrets Act, Unfair Business Practices Act, and other statutes, based upon a competitor’s unauthorized access to Big Fish Games’ proprietary and trade secret information. The case was favorably resolved, after substantial discovery, through a confidential settlement.
SmarTire Systems Inc. v. Siemens VDO
U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia
Action for patent infringement.
Bulletin News Network Inc. v. Briefings Inc., et al.
Circuit Court of Virginia, Fairfax County
Representation of Bulletin News Network in successful action against an electronic publisher and three of its officers and employees for violation of non-compete agreement and theft of trade secrets. Case settled after three-day evidentiary hearing.
Microsoft Corporation v. Affordable Computer Solutions, LLC
U.S. District Court for the District of Maryland
Prosecution of action for trademark and copyright infringement.
Microsoft Corporation v. Online Discount Service
U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia
Prosecution of action for trademark and copyright infringement.
In the Matter of the Search of Information Associated with [Redacted]@gmail.com That Is Stored at Premises Controlled by Google, Inc., No. 17-mj-757 (GMH)
U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia
Represent Google in ongoing litigation regarding whether a search warrant issued pursuant to the Stored Communications Act, 18 U.S.C. §§ 2701-2710, can be used to compel a communications service provider to seize customer communications stored outside the United States and disclose them to the government.
Beyond Systems Inc. v. Kraft Foods Inc., et al.
U.S. District Court for the District of Maryland
Defense of action for alleged violations of Maryland and California anti-spam laws.
Hollander v. Watson
U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia
Prosecution of action for breach of contract.
Boggess v. Valley Bronze of Oregon Inc.
Circuit Court of Virginia, Loudoun County
Defense of action for breach of contract.
Brazeal v. SMI Int'l, LLC, et al.
U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia
Defense of Title VII discrimination claim against employer.
Bros. Signal Company v. Honeywell International Inc., et al.
Circuit Court of Virginia, Loudoun County
Defense of action for breach of contract, unjust enrichment, fraud and negligence.
Greenway Apartments, LP v. Tate-Smith
Superior Court of the District of Columbia
Pro bono defense of landlord-tenant action.
Gross v. Daedalus Books Inc.
Superior Court of the District of Columbia
Prosecution of action for breach of contract.
Segovia Inc. v. Sysorex Federal Inc., et al.
Circuit Court of Virginia, Fairfax County
Defense of action between government contractors for breach of contract and fraud.
CTIA - Wireless Ass'n v. Telecommunications Regulatory Bd. of Puerto Rico
Denying opponent’s motion to dismiss and subsequently granting client’s request for permanent injunction of state law under the Stored Communications Act.
Jayne v. Sprint PCS
Granting client’s motion to dismiss § 1983 claims under the Stored Communications Act.
Dodge v. CDW-Government, Inc.
Victory in breach of contract/employment action.
People v. Harris
A case of first impression granting in part and denying in part communications provider’s motion to quash subpoena for user records.
CRGT, Inc. v. Northrop Grumman Systems Corp.
A case of first impression upholding defense contractor’s reliance on Federal Officer Removal Statute.
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