John J. Bartko

John J. Bartko, one of the founders and principals of the Bartko LLP, A Professional Corporation, located in San Francisco, California (with an additional office in Los Angeles). Mr. Bartko represents both plaintiffs and defendants in complex civil, criminal, business litigation and professional liability cases throughout the state. 

Mr. Bartko’s legal experience includes representing executives involved in intricate regulatory investigations, and he has been extensively involved in significant international discovery and complex investigations that have required appearances in foreign courts. Mr. Bartko has traveled to Asia, Europe, and South Africa to gather evidence for civil and criminal proceedings in the United States and has also provided representation to foreign officials in U.S. legal matters. He possesses broad experience in handling complex financial fraud and environmental law cases, including a nationally televised trial featured on Court TV.

Licensed by The State Bar of California since 1966, Mr. Bartko earned his Juris Doctor from the University of California, Berkeley, School of Law in 1965, following completion of his B.A. in political science from the University of California, Los Angeles.

Active in the legal community, Mr. Bartko is affiliated with The Bar Association of San Francisco, the American Bar Association's Committee on White Collar Crime and the Association of Business Trial Lawyers, Northern California chapter, where he has served on the board of directors and held the position of President in 2003. He is also involved as a member of the advisory board for the Berkeley Center for Law and Business.

Mr. Bartko's professional achievements have garnered recognition. He has been acknowledged by Best Lawyers in commercial litigation and white collar criminal defense from 2013 to 2021. He has received a peer-review rating of AV Preeminent* through Martindale-Hubbell, which signifies exceptional legal ability and high ethical standards.

In addition, Mr. Bartko has been invited to speak at numerous prestigious events, including the American Law Institute, the American Bar Association and the Practicing Law Institute. During these speaking engagements, he has addressed topics such as international discovery, internal corporate investigations and trial practice.

*AV®, AV Preeminent®, Martindale-Hubbell Distinguished and Martindale-Hubbell Notable are certification marks used under license in accordance with the Martindale-Hubbell certification procedures, standards and policies. Martindale-Hubbell® is the facilitator of a peer-review rating process. Ratings reflect the anonymous opinions of members of the bar and the judiciary. Martindale-Hubbell® Peer Review Ratings™ fall into two categories – legal ability and general ethical standards.