John R. Alphin grew up in Clover, South Carolina. Following graduation from CloverHigh School, John attended the University of South Carolina and graduated in 2001 with a Bachelor of Science in Accounting and a minor in Criminal Justice. While attending the University of South Carolina, John was a member of Beta Alpha Psi.

John graduated from the University of South Carolina, School of Law in 2004, where he was the 2004 recipient of the Arthur B. Custy Tax Award.  In 2005, after receiving his law degree from the University of South Carolina, School of Law, John received an LL.M. in Taxation from the University of Florida, Levin College of Law.

John currently represents the State of South Carolina Department of Health and Human Services and South Carolina Employee Insurance Program in lawsuits brought against a number of pharmaceutical companies in the Average Wholesale Price litigation.  In addition to his representation of the State, John represents individuals in many types of civil litigation including: class actions, mass torts including defective drugs (such as the Graniteville train derailment, Chinese Drywall and Vioxx), business litigation, personal injury litigation, including traumatic injury and nursing home neglect.  John also assists individuals and corporations in tax litigation, involving the Internal Revenue Service and/or the South Carolina Department of Revenue in both civil and criminal matters.  Further, John assists individuals and attorneys in litigation matters concerning trusts or estates.

John is admitted to practice in the United States District Court for the District of South Carolina, the United States Tax Court, and all South Carolina State Courts.  John has also been admitted pro hac vice, in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Florida, and the United States District Court for the District of Massachusetts.  John has practiced in a number of other courts as part of Multidistrict Litigation including federal courts in Louisiana, Michigan, West Virginia, and Georgia.

John is a member of the South Carolina Bar Association, Richland County Bar Association, American Bar Association, South Carolina Association for Justice, and American Association for Justice.

John is married to former Melanie Johnson and they have two daughters, Julia and Lucy.