Our Law Firm

John Bilheimer (formerly a partner in Haley & Bilheimer) specializes in the questions encountered by businesses and individuals in their day-to-day environments.  John prides himself on the depth of his experience and the quality of his work and research.  He has over 32 years in practice in both civil litigation and transactions.

John was born in Missouri and grew up in Canada, where his father was in the mining industry.  He attended the University of Oregon and received his bachelor’s degree from the University of Colorado in 1984.  After a short career in business and construction, he entered law school at the University of San Francisco, from which he received his J.D. degree in 1991. He was admitted to the California bar the same year.  John clerked with the District Attorney’s office in San Francisco, and then with the Superior Court in Nevada County.  After graduation from law school, he joined the law firm of Spiller, McProud, Butz & Kraemer in Nevada City.  In 1996, he and Allan Haley formed their partnership Haley & Bilheimer and remained partners until Allan’s retirement in 2023.  

John specializes in business and general civil litigation, including personal injury, commercial transactions, real property law and civil appeals.  He lives in Nevada City.  He has served on the boards of many local foundations, including Nevada County Legal Assistance, Sierra College Foundation, South Yuba River Citizens’ League, Nevada County Land Trust, and the Center for the Arts.  He is currently a trustee of the Ghidotti Foundation.

John is proud to have been part of the legal team that settled a $4,000,000 qui tam action and was counsel of record in the following published decisions: Wells v. One2One Learning Foundation, 39 Cal. 4th 1164 (2006); Schofield v. Superior Court, 190 Cal. App.4th 154 (2010); Tamburina v. Combined Insurance Company of America, 147 Cal. App. 4th 323 (2007); Hanshaw v. Long Valley Road Association, 116 Cal. App. 4th 471(2004); and Friends of the Trails v. Blasius, 78 Cal. App. 4th 810 (2000).