Professor John T. Plecnik's scholarship focuses on the intersection of taxation and public policy. He currently teaches Tax I; Tax Procedure, Penalties & Crimes; Wealth Transfer Tax; and Estates & Trusts.

Professor Plecnik earned his B.A., summa cum laude, in Accounting with a minor in Mythology from Belmont Abbey College, where he graduated co-valedictorian. He earned his J.D., cum laude, from Duke University School of Law. While at Duke, he was one of six inaugural executive board members to co-found the Duke Journal of Constitutional Law & Public Policy. He also served as an editor on Law & Contemporary Problems and received the Faculty Award for Outstanding Achievement in Taxation & Estate Planning. Professor Plecnik earned his LL.M. in Taxation from New York University School of Law. While at NYU, he served as Executive Editor of the NYU Review of Law & Social Change and was the first part-time student to be selected as a member of that review. In addition, Professor Plecnik was awarded the Certificate in Business Excellence and alumni status by Columbia University Graduate School of Business for completing a number of Executive Education programs.

Following his graduation from law school, Professor Plecnik joined the Wall Street law firm of Thacher Proffitt & Wood LLP as an ERISA attorney. He then served as a law clerk to Judge David Gustafson of the United States Tax Court and as an Adjunct Professor of Law at Georgetown University Law Center, where he taught Tax Penalties & Tax Crimes.

In the past, Professor Plecnik served as Chairman of the Willoughby Hills Recreation Commission and Vice President of the Board of Trustees for the Willoughby-Eastlake Public Library System. Professor Plecnik currently serves as Councilman-at-Large for the City of Willoughby Hills and Council Representative on the Willoughby Hills Income Tax Board of Review, which is tasked with approving local income tax regulations as well as hearing and deciding taxpayer appeals.