John Rutherford Seydel II is a partner in Davis, Pickren, Seydel with a corporate practice focusing on environmental and conservation law, commercial and residential real estate, nonprofit organization structuring and operation, and general for-profit business matters.

Rutherford was admitted to the Georgia Bar in 1989. He completed his undergraduate degree at the University of Georgia (B.A. in Political Science, 1986) and graduated from Walter F. George-Mercer Law School (J.D., 1989). Rutherford is a member of the Atlanta and American Bar Associations (Member, Real Property, Corporate, Entertainment and Environmental Law Practice Sections), State Bar of Georgia, Atlanta Council of Young Lawyers, and the International Council of Shopping Centers (ICSC).

As a member of the Georgia State Properties Commission, Rutherford was instrumental in preparing a model conservation easement for use by the Georgia Greenspace Program, and has been a leader in designing and implementing conservation easements for numerous clients. Rutherford has also been very active with federal and state governments on legislation for the protection of endangered and threatened species.

Rutherford assisted in structuring a $1 billion charity to support United Nations causes. He also negotiated a grant to assist in constructing the newest high-rise office building in Moscow to be used as headquarters of a major Russian nonprofit organization.

Rutherford worked closely with former U.S. Sen. Sam Nunn and Mr. R.E. (“Ted”) Turner in forming Nuclear Threat Initiative, Inc., a nonprofit dedicated to reducing the spread of nuclear and other weapons of mass destruction, and continues to serve as general counsel to this internationally recognized organization. Rutherford has recently worked on shareholders’ and voting agreements in connection with one of the nation’s largest corporate mergers, and continues to serve as legal counsel for the largest individual landowner in the United States.

Rutherford was born in Dallas in 1963. He and wife Laura live in Northwest Atlanta where they are active in many civic affairs. They have a son, John R., and two daughters, Florence Vasser and Laura Elizabeth.