John Newcomer - Senior Partner

In his nearly 30 years of civil law practice, John Newcomer has always had a passion for representing the plaintiff or victim in a case. He lives by the principle that at its core, filing lawsuits is about seeking change for the better. This ideal motivated John through law school and it continues to drive him today.

At James, Hoyer, Newcomer & Smiljanich, John directs the firm’s False Claims Act and whistleblower (qui tam) practice. He has successfully prosecuted whistleblower cases without government assistance, as well as class actions and individual suits in state and federal courts across the United States. John also serves as managing partner and has supervised the growth of James Hoyer to more than 20 attorneys and eight investigators.

John began his career with the Florida Attorney General’s Office and the Florida Cabinet. After graduation, he entered the Tampa firm of Yado & Keel, and handled a wide variety of litigation, including personal injury, family and appellate law. In 1993, John joined with good friends and former federal and state prosecutors, Bill James and Chris and Judy Hoyer, to found James, Hoyer & Newcomer.

John is a member of the Florida Bar and U.S. District Court, Middle District of Florida; 1978, U.S. Court of Appeals, 5th Circuit; 1981, U.S. Court of Appeals, 11th Circuit. He has also served on the Arbitration Panel, U.S. District Court, Middle District of Florida, since 1995. John is also a former member of the President’s Club, The Academy of Florida Trial Lawyers, 1991; and the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys, 1992.

John is a Tampa native and graduate of H.B. Plant High School. He received his law degree from Florida State University (J.D., with honors 1972) and his undergraduate degree from the University of Florida (B.S., 1969). He formerly held the rank of captain in the U.S. Army Reserve. John is married with two sons and four grandchildren, and spends his leisure time either in mountains of North Carolina or on the golf course.