John J. Ronayne, III

John Ronayne is a partner with the firm Bernardi, Ronayne & Glusac, P.C. John concentrates his practice in the areas of First Amendment law. He has over 47 years of experience representing individuals and businesses and financial institutions in First Amendment disputes. John has argued cases throughout the State and has numerous decisions of relevance in the area of First Amendment law.

In addition, he has written various articles and manuals and delivered guest lectures on the topic. In the area of First Amendment, he co-authors MLRC's Survey of Michigan Libel Law. John is also a Member, Commercial, Construction and Large Complex Case Panels of Arbitrators, American Arbitration Association. John received a J.D. Degree from Detroit College of Law, and a B.S.M.E. from General Motors Institute.

He is a founding partner of the firm which has received various recognitions including U.S. News and World Report Best Law Firms, The National Law Journal Top Rated Real Estate Lawyers, and Business Top Lawyers of Metro Detroit. He maintains an AV-Preeminent Rating with Martindale-Hubbell Lawyer Rating. John was previously an Assistant Professor of Law, Detroit College of Law, 1975-1978, Associate Professor of Law, Detroit College of Law, 1978-2000, and Law Clerk to Chief Judge Fred W. Kaess, U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Michigan, 1973-1974.

Areas of Practice

• First Amendment Law
• Other Contractual Disputes

Bar Admissions

• Michigan, 1973
• U.S. Court of Appeals, Sixth Circuit
• U.S. District Court Eastern District of Michigan
• U.S. District Court Western District of Michigan

Education

• Detroit College of Law, Detroit, MichiganJ.D. - 1973
• General Motors Institute, Flint, MichiganB.S.M.E. - 1969

Associations & Memberships

• Oakland County, Detroit, and American Bar Associations
• State Bar of Michigan

Publications

• Co-Author: "Current Developments in Media Libel and Invasion of Privacy Law-Michigan Survey," Libel Defense Resource Center, 1983-.
• Author: "Cable TV: Is it Television or is it a Newspaper?" Laches, February 1984.
• Co-Author: "Tort Reform in the Media," 1987 Detroit College of Law Review 1025.
• Author: "Rouch v. Enquirer: A Step Backwards for the Media," Laches, June 1988.
• Author: "Jenny Jones Show: It's Not Shakespeare, But It Is Speech," Entertainment and Sports Lawyer, 1999.
• Assistant Professor of Law, 1975-1978, Detroit College of Law.