John R. Loftus

John R. (“Jake”) Loftus spent his career representing the financial services community, including broker-dealers, investment banks, private equity and venture capital funds, financial advisors, executives, and other professionals in complex business disputes. He has appeared before the SEC, FINRA, and state regulators, handled securities class actions (including “SPAC” class actions before the Delaware Chancery Court), shareholder derivative claims, employment matters, LLC disputes, and trust and estate litigation. That experience gives him a practical understanding of how high-stakes disputes unfold and what it takes to resolve them.

Jake approaches mediation with thorough preparation, active listening, and a focus on results. Before a mediation begins and following the submission of position statements, he speaks candidly with both sides to understand the facts, legal issues, strengths, weaknesses, and the real distance between the parties. Having managed a major brokerage office through the 2008 financial crisis, he understands the economic, operational, and reputational costs of prolonged litigation and brings that perspective to every case.

Jake began his legal career as a maritime lawyer at Keesal, Young & Logan before finding his niche in securities litigation and complex business disputes. He later became a Senior Managing Director and Branch Manager of Bear Stearns’ second-largest office, where he worked closely with senior leadership during the 2008 financial crisis. Thereafter, he helped build a cross-border financial services firm as general counsel and chief compliance officer, negotiating with regulators and business leaders domestically and in Hong Kong and mainland China. Returning to private practice, he expanded his work to include trust and estate disputes, employment matters, and trade secret litigation before retiring as a partner at DLA Piper.

At Signature Resolution, Jake mediates disputes involving financial services, securities, employment, LLCs, partnerships, trusts and estates, and other business matters. Having served as outside counsel, in-house counsel, executive, and business leader, he understands the pressures facing parties on all sides of a dispute. He listens closely, stays calm under pressure, and communicates directly, giving parties a clear, credible read on the path toward resolution.