John grew up in Bedford, Massachusetts, a suburb of Boston, in a close-knit Italian-American family. He is the eldest of six sons. "My heroes are my parents. It was through their example that I learned the meaning of hard work and dedication." John's father worked six days a week in his butcher shop to support his family. John's mother, a computer programmer since the 1950s, stayed at home to raise her sons until the youngest (13-years John's junior) started attending grade school, when she resumed her career. "My parents taught us that if we were committed to our goals, we could accomplish anything. One of my mother's favorite lines is 'Genius is 99 percent perspiration and one percent inspiration.'"

John learned well. Through scholarships and summer jobs, he attended one of the finest prep schools and colleges in New England. He graduated from Deerfield Academy (1977) and Bowdoin College (1981, AB in Economics and Creative Visual Arts, magna cum laude in Art). The Frenis are a legacy at Deerfield Academy, where three sons have graduated (1977, 1981 and 1990). John received his law degree from the American University, Washington College of Law, in Washington, D.C., in 1987, cum laude. John was a member of the Honor Society and was the co-recipient of the 1987 Dean's Award for Professional Responsibility, given annually to the outstanding student in the American University clinical programs, which are consistently ranked in the top five clinical programs in the country.

John has consistently obtained favorable results for both plaintiffs and defendants in a wide variety of civil disputes, both through alternative dispute resolution (e.g., settlement conferences, mediations and arbitrations) and through trial. "Regardless of whether a client is a plaintiff or defendant, litigation is one of the most stressful experiences they will ever endure and emotions can run high. I strive to maintain the strongest possible litigation position for my clients, while simultaneously counseling the client to maintain a results-oriented business perspective when making decisions on the case."

When not in court or the office, you most likely will find John outdoors pursuing his passion for hunting and fishing. John served as Chair of the San Diego Chapter of Ducks Unlimited for an unprecedented three years (1998-2000) and is still a very active member of the Chapter. "Some of my fondest childhood memories are of the times I spent in the outdoors with my parents. I went bird hunting with my Dad when I was barely big enough to walk through the underbrush. Dad didn't like to fish, so Mom took us fishing. She would pile us into the station wagon and take us down to the local fishing hole, where we would spend the day catching panfish."

John moved to San Diego in 1987 and has never regretted his decision to escape the harsh New England winters. John, his wife Bridget, and their yellow Labrador retriever, Josh, live in the Scripps Ranch area of San Diego.