John was born in Los Angeles in 1946. His father was a butcher and his mother was a grocery store checker. An aspiring musician, John played in bands during junior high school and high school, culminating with a 1963 summer tour. After not being paid the $2,500 he was owed for that tour, John, a member of the American Federation of Musicians (AFM), filed a complaint with the union on his and the band's behalf.
That experience led John to the law. "The promoter actually showed up for the hearing and brought a lawyer. I argued the case for the band and won. Based upon that single victory and the exhilaration I experienced from representing the downtrodden musicians of my band, I decided I would go to college and law school with the hope of becoming a lawyer for entertainers." John then became the first member of his family to attend college.
Distinguished academic background
Graduated in 1968 from UCLA, receiving a Bachelor of Arts Degree with honors in both American History and Political Science.
Graduated with highest honors (Order of the Coif - top 10% of his class) in 1971 from Boalt Hall (University of California at Berkeley Law School).
While in law school, John was Assistant Managing Editor of the California Law Review and a founding editor of the Ecology Law Quarterly, a publication which launched in 1970 and which continues today as a pre-eminent legal publication on environmental issues.
Career highlights
Practiced estate planning, trusts and wills, followed by work in litigation, motion picture and television transactions.
Specializing in music by 1974, John become internationally known as one of the greatest advocates for entertainers in the history of the industry.
Twice named Entertainment Attorney of the Year by Billboard Magazine, John's accomplishments include some of the largest and most complicated agreements ever made in the music industry.
Clients include artists Kenny Rogers, Abba, Olivia Newton-John, Cat Stevens, Creedence Clearwater Revival, Reba McEntire, Shakira and many others.
John Mason consistently received the highest rating awarded by Martindale Hubbell, the AV rating. (The "A" portion designated him as a preeminent attorney in his field while the "V" portion is the highest rating in General Ethical Standards).
Community service
Since John bought his first home in Nevada
over 25 years ago, he has been an active member of the community,
working as a volunteer for charitable and political causes.
Earned Gold Medal Award for Humanitarian of the Year in 1986 for his work with the National Foundation of Ilcitis and Colitis Sports Council.
Served as Chairman of the Nevada Film Commission and as a Trustee for the Barton Memorial Hospital Foundation and for the Sage Ridge School.
Appointed by George W. Bush to the President's Committee on the Arts and Humanities in 2002.
Served as member of the Republican National Committee from 1995 to 2000.
Served as chairman of the Nevada Republican Party.
Currently, John is serving as a Judge Pro-Tem of the Douglas County Justice Court, Lake Tahoe Township. John is married to Bianca and has seven children, ranging in age from 8 to 25.
WE THE PEOPLE In our constitution, we, the people, tell
the government what it can do. Ronald Reagan, State
of the Union Address, January 27, 1987. John Mason
(above, left) stands on the same principle.
JOHN'S CONCERN I am uncomfortable that our Supreme Court so casually set aside a constitutional amendment passed twice by nearly three quarters of Nevada's voters.
