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John Goodwin is Of Counsel based in the Dallas office of Butler. He is licensed to practice law in Texas and Louisiana. For more than 30 years, John has represented major U.S. and foreign insurers in complex first-party and third-party insurance coverage and liability litigation and disputes.

John has extensive experience in representing insurance companies in first-party property coverage lawsuits and claims in Texas, Louisiana, Oklahoma, and throughout the United States. He has represented insurers in a broad range of first-party property suits and disputes including those involving claims for wind, flood, water, mold, hail, and fire damage to commercial and residential buildings. John has defended insurers against allegations of breach of contract, bad faith, and other extra-contractual relief.

John also advises and represents insurers in third-party coverage and liability claims and lawsuits in Texas, Louisiana, Oklahoma, Florida, Georgia, and Missouri and throughout the Unites States. He has represented insurers in lawsuits and claims involving professional liability, Directors and Officers liability, wrongful death, personal injury, products liability, class action relief, environmental damage, marine casualties, and vehicular accidents. John’s experience includes handling coverage disputes and preparing coverage opinions pertaining to CGL, professional liability, pollution, EPLI, D&O, auto/garage, and excess and umbrella policies.

John is involved in every aspect of the first-party and third-party matters he handles. This includes providing clients with initial coverage advice, conducting examinations under oath, deposing witnesses, retaining experts, and resolving the dispute through dispositive motions, mediation, settlement, trial, and appeal.

John has extensive international experience. He counsels British insurers regarding their significant liability exposures in the United States. John has represented international insurers in lawsuits in United States courts, including defending these actions on jurisdictional grounds.

John frequently speaks to insurance industry groups on current legal and industry issues. His presentations address both first-party property and third-party coverage topics.

John received his Bachelor of Science degree in Business Management/Marketing from Boston College in 1988 and his law degree from the George Washington University School of Law in 1991.

Admissions

  • Texas
  • Louisiana

Education

  • Boston College
    Bachelor of Science in Business Management with a concentration in Marketing, 1988
  • George Washington University School of Law
    Juris Doctor, 1991

Memberships

  • State Bar of Texas, 2006-Present
  • Louisiana State Bar Association, 1992-Present
  • Dallas Bar Association Dallas Association of Young Lawyers, 2007-2009
  • Houston Bar Association Armadillo Club Louisiana Casualty and Surety Association, 1996-2005
  • New Orleans Claim Association, 1996-2002
  • Vice-President, 2001

Courts

  • U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit
  • U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Texas
  • U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Texas
  • U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Texas
  • U.S. District Court for the Western District of Texas
  • U.S. District Court for the Western District of Louisiana
  • U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Louisiana
  • U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Louisiana

Experiences

REPRESENTATIVE CASES

  • United Fire & Cas. Co. v. Kent Distributors, Inc., 759 F. Appx 326 (5th Cir. 2019). Obtained affirmance from federal appellate court of motion for summary judgment on sexual molestation and employee exclusions.
  • Marseilles Homeowners Condominium Association, Inc. v. Broadmoor, LLC, 111 So.3d 1099 (La. 4 Cir. 2013). Obtained affirmance from appellate court of motion for summary judgment dismissing claims for defense and indemnity in construction defects suit.
  • Richard v. McElroy, 2013 WL 6267752 (La. 1 Cir. Dec. 4, 2013). Obtained affirmance from appellate court of trial court’s zero damages defense verdict.
  • Haun v. Cusimano Inc., 86 So.3d 84 (La. 4 Cir. 2012). Obtained affirmance from appellate court of motion for summary judgment on errors & omissions policy exclusion.
  • Sims v. Cefolia, 755 So.2d 358 (La. 4 Cir. 2000). Obtained dismissal of wrongful death suit for improper venue.
  • Popich Bros. v. Gulf Coast Marine, Inc., 705 So.2d 1267 (La. 4 Cir. 1998). Obtained reversal of large judgment against insurance broker.
  • Certain Underwriters v. M/V Southbend, 1998 WL 204752 (E.D. La. April 24, 1998). Defeated motion for summary judgment in maritime suit.
  • Defillo v. World Bazaar, 695 So.2d 1088 (La. 4 Cir. 1997). Obtained dismissal of plaintiff’s appeal.

Media

We Welcome John Goodwin to the Dallas Office

We welcome Of Counsel John Goodwin to our Dallas office. To learn more, click his bio above....

Insurance Law – SMU Annual Texas Survey Vol. 7

John Goodwin published "Insurance Law"  for the Southern Methodist University Annual Texas Survey Volume 7 on November 10, 2021. Click here to view the full article....

John Goodwin