John Sepehri

Of Counsel

John Sepehri focuses on an array of state regulatory, administrative, legislative, and political law matters with insurance as one of his areas of focus. In the latter regard, in addition to securing approvals of acquisitions of insurers, TPAs, and producers from the Texas Department of Insurance and advising clients on all manner of insurance regulatory compliance, John also assists clients with the regulatory side of transactions and has spearheaded the regulatory analysis and due diligence for multiple multi-state insurance transactions.

John has worked with his Foley colleagues to help secure wins for his clients against state agencies or to minimize the severity of enforcement actions, as well as having successfully helped clients achieve many affirmative and defensive legislative goals in the Texas legislative process.

In recent years, much of John’s work has also involved providing clients with legal advice and legislative representation in connection with the increasing array of state-level Environmental, Social, and Corporate Governance (ESG) laws.

John has significant experience with an array of specific state agencies or bodies, including the Texas Department of Insurance, the Texas Legislature, the Office of the Governor of Texas, the Office of the Secretary of State of Texas, and the Office of Consumer Credit Commissioner of Texas. He’s also been involved in representing clients against the Federal Trade Commission.

Prior to joining Foley, John served as general counsel to the Texas Apartment Association and was a member of its government relations team, as well as having served as general counsel to a statewide official (former Texas Secretary of State Hope Andrade) in the administration of former Texas Governor Rick Perry. As a result of those experiences and his long-term involvement in civics and public affairs, John has relationships throughout Texas state government and political circles.

John also practiced business law with other national or regional law firms prior to his time at Foley and therefore has a strong understanding of a variety of business transactions and the civil justice system. In the latter regard, he also clerked for United States District Judge Paul Brown in the Eastern District of Texas.

Awards and Recognition

  • Graduate of The ATXelerator’s second class for community leaders (2019)
  • Leadership Austin Essential Class Graduate (2010)
  • Best Lawyers Under 40 in Dallas, D Magazine (2006)

Affiliations

  • Member, State Bar of Texas
  • Life Fellow, Texas Bar Foundation

Community Involvement

  • Lead point of contact for Foley Austin office’s partnership with Boys & Girls Clubs of the Austin Area
05 April 2024 Honors and Awards

Foley Receives Bravo Supplier Award from DSN for Historic Neora Win Against FTC

Foley & Lardner LLP was awarded the Bravo Supplier Award from Direct Selling News in recognition of the firm’s “pivotal role in Neora’s battle against the Federal Trade Commission.
04 October 2023 In the News

Foley’s Historic Win in Case Against FTC Featured in Legal Press

Foley & Lardner LLP’s announcement of the complete exoneration of its client Neora in a landmark case against the Federal Trade Commission is featured in legal press, including the Bloomberg Law article, “Neora Beats Back Pyramid Scheme Allegations in Loss for FTC.”
29 September 2023 Deals and Wins

Foley Represents Neora in Winning Historic Case Against FTC

Foley & Lardner LLP announced today that after a more than seven-year battle, the firm has secured a complete victory for leading direct-selling wellness company Neora and its founder Jeff Olson in a landmark case against the FTC.
01 August 2023 In the News

Foley’s Austin Office and Government Solutions Practice Group Featured for Unique Strengths

Foley & Lardner LLP’s Austin office is featured in The Texas Lawbook article, “Foley’s Austin Office Is Hub for Firm’s Government, AG Practice,” highlighting the office’s Government Solutions and State Attorneys General practice groups, its adaptability in times of change over the last five years, and its plans for continued strategic growth.
27 January 2023 Honors and Awards

Foley Named Top Three Lobby Shop in Texas by Capitol Inside

Foley & Lardner LLP is ranked third overall in Capitol Inside’s Texas Lobby Power Rankings.
13 December 2022 Events

Status of Federal and State ESG Laws

In this webinar, Foley and Lardner attorneys will provide an overview of the current status of laws, regulations, and initiatives on ESG and will provide a roadmap for navigating how these laws may impact your business now and in the future.