John A. Livingood, Jr.

Offers Video Calls | Open for Business
John A. Livingood, Jr.: Attorney with Margolis Edelstein
Attorney Awards
  • Martindale-Hubbell Peer AV Preeminent Rating
About Attorney Awards

Biography

For over 30 years, partner John Livingood has defended insured and self-insured entities in casualty litigation. He represents individuals and local, regional, and national corporations in complex, high-exposure litigation throughout Pennsylvania and New Jersey.

John has extensive major jury and non-jury trial experience in the Philadelphia region, having tried over 50 matters to verdict. He regularly serves as excess counsel for carriers, assuming responsibility for and trying cases anywhere from three months to 48 hours before trial. He leads a team of experienced, efficient and tenacious litigators. He leverages the firm’s industry-leading technology to deliver innovative, data-driven litigation solutions tailored to client needs.

John has extensive experience managing and coordinating large-scale legal projects, including overseeing multi-attorney litigation teams and implementing comprehensive claims review programs. In the In re: Market East litigation, he served as primary liaison defense counsel, coordinating briefing and argument across multiple defense firms for hundreds of pretrial motions, as well as organizing damages defenses, expert strategy, and trial preparation.

He also leads the firm’s Claims File Review & Resolution Consulting service, which assists insurance carriers, including global insurers and corporations, in efficiently evaluating and resolving high volumes of claims. Drawing on his deep background in insurance defense, John oversees detailed file reviews and provides strategic recommendations on claim viability, resolution pathways, and cost projections. His team’s work helps clients manage reserves, reduce litigation exposure, and ensure consistency and compliance in claims handling, delivering the legal insight necessary to drive informed, cost-effective outcomes across both routine and complex matters.

Honors

•AV Martindale-Hubbell Peer Review Rated
•Selected for Inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America in the area of Personal Injury Litigation - Defendants since 2026
•Pennsylvania Super Lawyers
•Delaware Journal of Corporate Law, articles editor
•Past President - Philadelphia Association of Defense Counsel

Articles & Publications

Federal Court Rules Future Medical Expenses Recoverable Under Pennsylvania’s MVFRL

PA Superior Court Reverses Course to Allow Liability Coverage and UIM Coverage Under the Same Policy

Pennsylvania Superior Court Affirms Stacked UIM Coverage for Corporate Owner as a Class One Insured Under Commercial Auto Policy

Important Changes to PA Dangerous Dog Law - Criminal & Civil Liability

PA Supreme Court Clarifies Availability of Economic Damages For Uninsured Vehicle Owners

PA Superior Court: No 2nd Chance To Get Your Mechanic’s Lien Right

Mechanic’s Liens and Strong Contracts Are Still The Best Protection For Subcontractors On Distressed Projects

Another New PaMVFRL Opinion! Tortfeasor’s Excess Coverage May Be Set Off Against UIM Recovery

Superior Court Reiterates - No Prejudgment Interest on Mechanic’s Liens in Pennsylvania

No Double Recovery of Health and Disability Benefits in UM/UIM

Superior Court: No Bad Faith in UIM Value Dispute

Speaking Engagements

•“Handling UTPCPL Claims” October 2023
•PBI - Distracted Driving
•PBI - Fair Share Act

News & Case Results

11 Margolis Edelstein Attorneys Named to the 2026 Best Lawyers and Ones to Watch Lists

14 Attorneys Named to the 2025 Pennsylvania Super Lawyers & Rising Stars Lists

Congratulations to Our 2024 Pennsylvania Super Lawyers & Rising Stars

Congratulations to the Margolis Edelstein 2021 Super Lawyers and Rising Stars!

See more ›

Areas of Practice (5)

  • Automobile & Trucking
  • Construction Law
  • General Liability
  • Insurance Consulting
  • Products Liability

Education & Credentials

University Attended:
Bucknell University, B.A., 1990
Law School Attended:
Widener University School of Law, J.D., 1993
Year of First Admission:
1993
Admission:
Pennsylvania; New Jersey; U.S. District Court, New Jesey; U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Pennsylvania; U.S. District Court, Middle District of Pennsylvania; U.S. Court of Appeals, Third Circuit
Memberships:

Professional Affiliations:

•Defense Research Institute
•Pennsylvania Defense Institute
•Philadelphia Association of Defense Counsel

Birth Information:
Abington, Pennsylvania, November 28, 1967
Reported Cases:
Representative Matters: In re: Market Street Building Collapse -- Primary insurance defense counsel for collapsed building owner in the longest jury trial in Philadelphia history.; Schulze v. Sautter Crane-- Obtained complete recovery of all defense costs in a bench trial on enforcement of a contractual indemnity clause.; Turner v. Bowman - Defense verdict in Philadelphia Court of Common Pleas for driver of a disabled vehicle struck by a school bus on a major highway.; Smith v. Marchetti - Defense verdict in motor vehicle liability case where the matter was transferred to Mr. Livingood just 72 hours before jury selection.; Seidel v. White's Harley Davidson - Summary judgment for a motorcycle dealership in a products liability action based on plaintiff's spoliation of evidence.; Elliott Lewis Corporation v. 101 Walnut - Obtained a near full recovery of all amounts owed to a subcontractor from an owner and lender on a distressed condominium project through use of mechanic's liens and litigation.; Deon v. Bergeys - Summary judgment for a retread tire manufacturer in a personal injury action, arguing that the plaintiff could not prove a defect in the product.; Depew v. Sautter Crane - Defense verdict for a crane owner and operator in a significant personal injury action brought by an injured worker.; Quinn v. Carroll Valley Resort - Defended a local resort against a significant dram shop action, with no recovery by plaintiff.; Smith v. Elliott Lewis Corp. - Defense verdict in Philadelphia Court of Common Pleas in favor of jet bridge maintenance company in fall down claim by an airline employee.; Chizkov v. Moore - Defense verdict in Philadelphia Court of Common Pleas for motor vehicle operator who struck plaintiff, an adult bicyclist, resulting in multiple cervical fractures and surgery.; Thomas v. Elliott Lewis - Obtained complete recovery of all defense and settlement costs in a bench trial on enforcement of a contractual indemnity clause.
ISLN:
900421721

Peer Reviews

5.0/5.0
Peer reviews submitted prior to 2008 are not displayed.
Martindale-Hubbell® AV Preeminent Rating Badge
Peer reviews submitted prior to 2008 are not displayed.

Client Reviews Write a Review

Location

Video Call Options

  • Zoom

Contact John A. Livingood, Jr.

Contact Information:
www.margolisedelstein.com

Required Fields

Required Fields

Clear All Fields

By clicking on the "Submit" button, you agree to the Terms of Use, Supplemental Terms and Privacy Policy. You also consent to be contacted at the phone number you provided, including by autodials, text messages and/or pre-recorded calls, from Martindale and its affiliates and from or on behalf of attorneys you request or contact through this site. Consent is not a condition of purchase.

You should not send any sensitive or confidential information through this site. Emails sent through this site do not create an attorney-client relationship and may not be treated as privileged or confidential. The lawyer or law firm you are contacting is not required to, and may choose not to, accept you as a client. The Internet is not necessarily secure and emails sent though this site could be intercepted or read by third parties.