John K. Kantner

Undergraduate Education: University South Carolina, 1978
                                         BS Pharmacy

Legal Education: St. Louis University of Law, 1993

John joined the firm in January 2005. His practice focuses on representing individuals injured by medical negligence, nursing home neglect, product defects, auto accidents, premises and workplace accidents. He also counsels clients in land use, zoning and family law matters. 

Prior to joining Riley and Fanelli, John was with a large Philadelphia law firm for almost 10 years. During this time, he represented physicians, hospitals, oral surgeons, pharmacists, and other healthcare professionals in medical malpractice litigation. John also represented manufacturers in product liability lawsuits, and represented property owners in premises liability claims. He has represented a large national nursing home chain in cases involving mistreatment of elderly residents.  Having acquired litigation experience representing defendants, John is now able to use his unique expertise and perspectives for the benefit of Riley and Fanelli clients, those injured by acts of negligence and carelessness.

John’s recent efforts on behalf of clients include a quarter-million dollar settlement in an Underinsured Motorist claim, settlements in several medical and dental malpractice claims ranging from $75,000 to $125,000, and successfully opposing a large townhouse development project in North Manheim Township on behalf of nearby residents. With attorney Fred Fanelli, John worked to negotiate a half-million dollar settlement  in a medical malpractice case just prior to trial in Dauphin County. 

John has extensive trial experience throughout Central Pennsylvania. He has successfully conducted trials as diverse as negligence in delivery of stillborn twins, failure to diagnose bone cancer, slip and fall accidents on hospital premises, lymphoma and appendicitis misdiagnosis.   

Law is a second career for John. He was a hospital pharmacist for 14 years prior to entering law school, and still maintains his pharmacy license. This background is invaluable in understanding the complex medical issues involved with personal injury claims.  He has lectured at the annual meeting of the Pennsylvania Pharmacists Association, on the topic of medical record confidentiality, and makes an annual presentation to the graduating class of DeSales University Physician Assistant Program., on medical negligence and the courts. 

John is a member of the Pennsylvania Bar Association, the Dauphin and Schuylkill County Bar Associations, the Pennsylvania Trial Lawyers Association, and the American Trial Lawyers Association. He is extensively involved in coaching youth sports locally, and is involved in various school activities. 

John resides in North Manheim Township with his wife, Melinda, and children, Samuel and Nathan.