John L. Watkins practices primarily in the areas of insurance coverage and bad faith litigation, in-bound international business transactions, and complex commercial litigation. He has particular industry expertise in machinery and equipment, manufacturing, industrial construction, technology and software, financial institutions, and natural gas utilities.
In the area of insurance coverage and bad faith, Mr. Watkins represents business policyholders in coverage and bad faith litigation with their carriers. He has handled large and complex insurance and bad faith matters in Georgia and other states. He also represents policyholder interests in connection with the defense and settlement of third party claims and reviews and analyzes insurance coverage for clients. Additional information regarding Mr. Watkins' insurance experience can be found by clicking on the tab above labeled "Insurance" or by clicking here.
Mr. Watkins has advised Canadian, German, and other European companies regarding doing business in the U.S for many years. His work in this area includes advising international companies on understanding and minimizing the risks of the U.S. legal system, negotiating and drafting equipment sales agreements, terms and conditions, non-disclosure agreements, and other commercial contracts. Mr. Watkins also advises international companies on arbitration and alternative dispute resolution, and, when necessary, represents them in litigation and arbitration.
Mr. Watkins has presented public and private seminars to international clients and audiences on various aspects of U.S. law. He is active in the international business community in Atlanta, and serves on the Board of Directors of the Atlanta International Arbitration Society. He is also active in the German American Chamber of Commerce, the British American Business Group, and in the international business efforts of the Gwinnett County Chamber of Commerce. Additional information regarding Mr. Watkins' experience in representing international companies can be found by clicking on the tab above labeled "International" or by clicking here.
In the area of complex commercial litigation, Mr. Watkins has handled many different types of cases, including claims involving trade secrets and confidential information, construction claims, product liability claims, shareholder disputes, and claims involving commercial contracts and negotiable instruments. Additional information regarding Mr. Watkins' experience in complex commercial litigation matters can be found by clicking on the tab above labeled "Litigation" or by clicking here.
Mr. Watkins has been selected for inclusion in Georgia Super Lawyers® since 2008. In 2010 and 2012, he was one of the top 100 Georgia Super Lawyers based on the nomination and review process. Mr. Watkins was included in Georgia Trend's Legal Elite in 2010 and 2011. He is rated "AV" by the Martindale-Hubbell Law Directory, its highest rating, and 10.00 by AVVO, its highest rating.
Mr. Watkins is the author of An Insider's Guide on Hiring a Business Attorney (2010), a book written for business owners and executives that provides a step-by-step guide to finding, evaluating, engaging, and working with a business attorney. Mr. Watkins was also selected by Lexis/Nexis as an expert author for the chapter on utilizing expert witnesses for its book, Georgia Civil Trial Procedure (2011). Mr. Watkins wrote the lead cover article for the October 2011 edition of Georgia Bar Journal on recent developments in Georgia law on insurance coverage for construction defects. He has written many articles and blog posts on insurance coverage, trade secrets and confidential information, equipment and machinery supply contracts, and other subjects.
Mr. Watkins received his B.A. from Mercer University, and his J.D. summa cum laude from the University of Georgia. In law school, he was a member of the Georgia Law Review editorial board and received several academic awards, including the Order of the Coif.
Mr. Watkins is admitted to practice in the state of Georgia and before the U.S. Supreme Court, the U.S. Courts of Appeals for the Third and Eleventh circuits, the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Georgia, the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Michigan, and the U.S. District Court for the District of Colorado. He is a member of the Bleckley Inn of Court (Master), the Atlanta Bar Association Construction Section (Board of Directors, 2005-2009), the Lawyers Club of Atlanta, and the Lumpkin Society at the University of Georgia School of Law.
Publications
11/4/2011, Barnes & Thornburg LLP's Construction Law Update - November 2011
7/15/2011, Barnes & Thornburg LLP's Construction Law Update - July 2011
5/20/2011, Equipment Leasing Newsletter - "Machinery and Equipment Supply Contracts"
4/26/2011, Barnes & Thornburg LLP's Construction Law Update - April 2011
10/01/2010, Journal of the Georgia Bar - "The Legal Issues Are Somewhat Cloudy in the Cloud"