Overview
John serves as national coordinating counsel for a major automotive retailer and is charged with developing, implementing, and managing the litigation against that retailer throughout the U.S. He also represents manufacturers of motor homes, aircraft, motor vehicles, heavy, industrial and manufacturing equipment, consumer products, and construction and safety equipment, in cases involving personal injury claims. Finally, John represents premises owners in slip and fall, negligent security and fire cause and origin cases and he represents individuals and business entities in claims involving sexual molestation, sexual assault and sexual harassment.
In addition to his tort litigation practice, John has vast experience representing insurers, insurance claim administrators, and other stakeholders in connection with complex insurance coverage matters involving toxic tort, asbestos, fidelity, bad faith, products liability, general liability, professional liability, directors’ and officers’ liability, sexual abuse and other claims. He represents insurers in connection with bad faith and unfair claim practice matters, including claims of statutory violations, failure to respond reasonably and promptly to demands for coverage, refusal to defend or pay claims without reasonable investigation or basis, failure to affirm or deny coverage within a reasonable time and failure to effectuate prompt, fair and equitable settlements when liability has become reasonably clear.
Experience
- Twombly v. The Budd Company
Obtained dismissal of lawsuit against manufacturer of railcars based upon preemption of plaintiff’s state law claims under Locomotive Inspection Act and Safety Appliance Act. - Simpson v. Thomas Scientific
Obtained summary judgment for distributor of general line laboratory supplies in case alleging that laboratory products were the cause of Plaintiff’s mesothelioma. - Koniak v. Campbell Soup Company
Obtained dismissal of lawsuit alleging asbestos-related injury was caused by release of asbestos from factories into the ambient air near plaintiff’s residence. - Miller v. Palmer Asphalt
Obtained summary judgment for manufacturer of roofing cement in case alleging that building construction materials were the cause of Plaintiff’s mesothelioma. - Walker v. Ostrovsky
Obtained dismissal of lawsuit alleging defamation, conspiracy and fraudulent transfer of assets. - Lee v. Blank
Attained favorable settlement on behalf of property owner in case alleging wrongful death caused by fire in condominium building. - Holdren v. Viad Corp.
Obtained a defense verdict, after a three week jury trial, on behalf of the alleged successor-in-interest to a manufacturer of asbestos-containing products installed aboard U.S. Navy ships. - Stearns v. Gilmore Brothers
Attained favorable settlement on behalf of disaster restoration company in case alleging take-home exposure to asbestos through the clothing and person of a former employee. - Ronca v. Barber Associates
Attained favorable settlement for general contractor in case alleging brain injury caused by exposure to toxic chemicals used by a subcontractor retained by the general contractor. - Hebert v. Weil-McLain
Attained favorable settlement for boiler manufacturer during trial for claims that asbestos-containing components of heating products were the cause of Plaintiff’s mesothelioma. - Freeman v. Delmont Construction
Attained favorable settlement for water and sewer contractor in case alleging wrongful death caused by toxic exposure to mold that resulted from repeated sewage backups. - Boucher v. Northeastern Log Homes, Inc.
Successfully negotiated dismissal of claim against log home manufacturer alleging improper preservation of logs prior to sale. - OneBeacon America Insurance Company v. Celanese Corporation
Obtained summary judgment for insurer who asserted the right to control the defense of insured where the defense was offered without reservation of rights.
Awards & Honors
- AV Preeminent rating from Martindale-Hubbell
- Recognized as one of Massachusetts’ “Super Lawyers” in the field of civil litigation defense by the publishers of Law & Politics and Boston Magazine, 2015-2021
- Recognized as one of Massachusetts’ “Rising Stars” in the field of civil litigation defense by the publishers of Law & Politics and Boston Magazine, 2005-2012
- Recognized in Best Lawyers in America, a publication highlighting the top 5% of practicing attorneys in the United States
- Superb rating from Avvo
Involvement
Massachusetts Defense Lawyers Association
- Past President
- Member, Past President’s Advisory Committee
Claims & Litigation Management Alliance
- Past Vice President, Massachusetts Chapter
American Bar Association
- Member, Tort Trial and Insurance Practice Section
