John C. Dalton Griffin is a trial lawyer known for delivering strategic, results-driven advocacy in high-stakes cases. Licensed in Texas and Louisiana, John represents individuals and businesses facing complex legal challenges, with a practice focused on personal injury, construction law, medical malpractice, divorce, criminal defense, and sophisticated civil litigation.
Personal Injury & Medical Malpractice
Having previously represented insurance companies and defendants, John brings a unique strategic advantage to his clients — anticipating and countering the tactics used by the other side. He now exclusively advocates for injured clients, fighting to secure justice and full compensation for harm caused by negligence.
Construction Litigation
A major component part of John’s practice is construction law. John has represented contractors, developers, and owners in disputes, litigation, and arbitrations arising out of construction projects big and small. John has handled disputes including contract default and terminations disputes, defective workmanship claims, surety bond claims, payment claims (including lien claims and Miller Act claims), delay claims, and the preparation, negotiation, and review of construction contracts (including AIA contracts) and mechanic’s (construction) liens.
John understands that construction disputes are often complex, and if not resolved quickly, can cause exponentially more problems for the parties involved. John has had success in resolving construction dispute’s both before and after entering the courtroom.
John’s success in construction law been recognized by his peers, having received the designation of “Rising Star” in Construction Litigation by Super Lawyers and Best Lawyers “Ones to Watch”.
Civil Litigation
John handles complex disputes involving construction law, oil and gas matters, commercial and business litigation, and trust and probate conflicts. He also handles select high-asset divorce matters where strategic litigation is critical.
Divorce
John handles various Family Law matters including divorce. John is especially adept to divorces involving substantial assets such as businesses, real estate, and oil & gas interest. John is able to leverage his commercial litigation experience to help clients navigate the division of their marital estate, and when necessary, present property division issues at trial where he is well equipped to present complex property issues to the Court. John has experience addressing property division, constructive and actual fraud claims, and reimbursement claims.
Criminal Defense
John is an advocate for clients accused of criminal offenses. John handles select criminal defense cases. He has successfully defended clients at every stage of the process — from pre-indictment intervention to jury trials. His experience spans homicide and other violent offenses, white-collar crimes, DWI, and drug-related charges.
Experience
John began his career trying criminal cases in Caddo Parish, Louisiana. After spending a period of time obtaining valuable jury trial experience, John transitioned to civil practice where his practice focused on complex litigation involving commercial disputes, construction disputes, oil & gas disputes, business disputes, contested trust and estate matters, and plaintiff’s personal injury cases. John spent several years under the tutorship of some of the best lawyers in Louisiana at a prestigious Shreveport, Louisiana law firm before moving to Tyler, Texas where he co-founded Melton & Griffin, PLLC in Tyler, Texas, alongside his wife and law partner, Allison Melton-Griffin.
Memberships & Associations
John is a member of the State Bar of Texas Construction Law Section, Texas Trial Lawyers Association, Texas Criminal Defense Lawyers Association and the Family Law Section of the State Bar of Texas.
