
“Jack” is an experienced trial lawyer with a focus on efficiency, excellence and client-responsiveness.
John “Jack” Shusted is a highly experienced trial attorney who has tried more than 100 cases to verdict, with a primary focus on defending physicians, healthcare professionals, and medical institutions in complex medical malpractice litigation. With more than 35 years at German, Gallagher & Murtagh, Jack is a leader of the firm’s medical liability practice and one of its most seasoned courtroom advocates.
Jack represents healthcare professionals through every stage of litigation, from the initial investigation and evaluation of a claim through discovery, expert development, settlement negotiations, and trial. His extensive experience allows him to quickly identify the medical and legal issues at the center of a case, evaluate potential exposure, and develop a focused defense strategy tailored to the needs of the client. He works closely with his clients and the experts to understand the medicine, present complex clinical issues clearly, and prepare each case for the possibility of trial. Over the course of his career, Jack has successfully defended healthcare providers against claims involving catastrophic injuries and wrongful death.
Jack recognizes that a medical malpractice lawsuit carries consequences extending well beyond potential financial exposure. For the physicians and healthcare professionals he represents, litigation can affect professional reputations, careers, and personal well-being. He therefore makes it a priority to ensure that his clients understand the litigation process, remain informed as their cases progress, and are thoroughly prepared for depositions and trial. His approach combines careful preparation and practical judgment with the willingness and experience to try difficult cases when necessary.
In addition to his medical malpractice practice, Jack represents financial advisors and broker-dealers in professional liability and securities matters. He also handles insurance fraud and coverage litigation, federal civil rights claims on behalf of governmental entities, employment disputes, and high-exposure casualty matters. He has appeared frequently in commercial and securities proceedings before the American Arbitration Association and securities-industry arbitration forums.
He is a member of the American Board of Trial Advocates, an invitation-only organization comprising experienced trial attorneys who have demonstrated high standards of courtroom skill, integrity, and professionalism. Jack has received an AV Peer Review Rating by LexisNexis Martindale-Hubbell, reflecting the highest level of professional excellence recognized by the organization. He has also been selected to Pennsylvania Super Lawyers from 2012 through 2026.
Education
Boston College
B.A., magna cum laude, 1981
Boston College Law School
J.D., 1985
Court Admissions
Pennsylvania
New Jersey
Professional Affiliations
American Board of Trial Advocates (ABOTA), Member
Honors & Awards
AV Peer Review Rating by Lexis Nexis Martindale-Hubbell
Elected to Pennsylvania Super Lawyers (2012-2026)
Examining Fine and Ward: What Do the Decisions Mean in Statute of Limitations Cases?
The Legal Intelligencer
April 13, 2005
What Every Medical Professional Should Know about the 2002 MCARE Act.
German Gallagher & Murtagh publication
May 2002
Insurers and Agents Beware: “Attachment Statutes” Enable Insureds to Obtain Coverage Despite Misrepresentation.
Federation of Insurance and Corporate Counsel
Vol. 45, No. 4, Summer 1995

