John graduated from VMI in 1981. Graduated from George Mason University School of Law (now the Antonin Scalia School of Law) in 1987, where he was Editor-in-Chief of the Law Review.

After law school he clerked for Judge Robert Doumar, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia from 1987-88. He has practiced maritime law in Norfolk from 1988 to today.

He is also an Adjunct Professor teaching admiralty at Marshall Wyeth School of Law.