John McDonough is a distinguished attorney renowned for his exceptional expertise in handling high-value complex litigation. With a career spanning over four decades, he has earned a stellar reputation as an ALM New York Top-Rated Lawyer, a Martindale-Hubbell AV Preeminent attorney, and a Senior fellow in the prestigious Litigation Counsel of America. John's notable journey in the legal realm has been characterized by remarkable victories and an unwavering commitment to excellence.
As a nationally recognized trial attorney, John represents major corporations and high-net-worth individuals in their most significant disputes. Over the course of his career, he has taken more than 230 cases to trial around the country and litigated before diverse courts and administrative bodies nationwide. His track record speaks volumes, making him the go-to attorney for the country's most sophisticated clients when excellence is an absolute necessity.
John's role as a trusted legal strategist has afforded him a deep understanding of various legal practices, including Product Liability, Directors & Officers Liability, Construction, Life Sciences, Medical Devices, Technology and Cyber, Complex Insurance and Reinsurance disputes, Sports and Equestrian Law, Entertainment Law, Personal Injury, and Defamation.
Zurich US National Accounts Chief Paul Lavelle said: “I’ve known John for more than 30 years. He is recognized as the ‘go-to defense lawyer’ who is results-driven, tenacious, and forthright. There is no case too big for him and no region in the country where he doesn’t play well. He is the kind of lawyer that plaintiffs’ lawyers hate to go up against.”
While John's most significant accolades are his verdicts, his peers have also recognized his leadership in the field. He has been honored as an ALM New York Top-Rated Lawyer, a Martindale-Hubbell AV Preeminent attorney, and a fellow in the esteemed Litigation Counsel of America. Furthermore, he served as the former President of the Defense Association of New York, where he edited its quarterly journal for over two decades and received the prestigious James S. Conway Award for Outstanding Service to the Defense Profession in 2013. John is also a distinguished member of the Product Liability Advisory Council, an invitation-only organization comprising leading manufacturers and top product liability defense counsel.
A prolific author and lecturer, John shares his expertise with diverse audiences, including the Defense Research Institute, the New York State Bar Association Torts, Insurance and Compensation Law Section, and the American Conference Institute. His insights are frequently published in both law journals and the lay press, and he is a frequently cited source in reputable publications such as Businessweek, The New York Times, and The New York Law Journal.
John is an alumnus of St. John's Preparatory School in Danvers, Massachusetts, and currently serves on the Trustee Advisory Board and the Advancement Committee. He holds a B.A. from Boston College and a J.D. from the New England School of Law.
Notable Achievements:
•Secured a favorable verdict after a challenging eight-week jury trial in a catastrophic injury case, with a jury awarding a fraction of the $43 million sought.
•Successfully obtained the dismissal of all claims in a case of first impression in New York, demonstrating that statements made during Amazon's complaint process were subject to New York's absolute litigation privilege.
•Won summary judgment in a rare case in Supreme Court, Kings County (Brooklyn), based on arguments related to duty and foreseeability.
•Negotiated a favorable plea bargain for a high-profile Philadelphia athlete facing criminal charges that could have derailed his career.
•Triumphed in a multi-million-dollar construction defect matter in San Francisco, skillfully cross-examining an expert witness to demonstrate exaggerated cost estimates.
•Achieved a highly favorable settlement for a non-structural steel stud manufacturer facing a $100+ million product disparagement claim.
•Successfully defended a large construction company in a $30 million wrongful death suit by leveraging a favorable liability allocation and negotiating a settlement for a fraction of the demand.
•Obtained a defense verdict for a hospitality industry client in a personal injury case involving a prominent burn expert, identifying critical flaws in the plaintiff's case during cross-examination.
•Secured a highly favorable settlement for a large construction firm in a case involving construction defects at a plaza adjacent to Boston's convention center.
Awards & Honors:
•Senior fellow, Litigation Counsel of America
•DANY James S. Conway Award for Outstanding Service to the Defense Profession
•Martindale-Hubbell AV Preeminent Attorney, 2013-2023
•Martindale-Hubbell AV Preeminent Attorney - Judicial Edition, 2017-2023
•Irish Legal 100, 2015-2023
•Best Lawyers in America, 2018-2023
•The American Lawyer & Corporate Counsel: 2020 Top Rated Litigator
•America’s Most Honored Lawyers, 2016-2023
•Martindale-Hubbell Top-Rated Lawyers in Litigation
•ALM New York Top-Rated Lawyer
•CLM, Certified Litigation Management Professional
News & Insights
•JOHN MCDONOUGH GETS DEFENSE VERDICT IN $9 MILLION DEMAND CASE TRIED TO CONCLUSION IN WESTCHESTER COUNTY, NEW YORK; September 20, 2024
•London Fischer Launches National Strategic Risk & Complex Litigation Practice; September 19, 2023
•The Defendant; Spring 2018
•The Defendant; Spring 2017
•The Defendant; Winter 2016/2017
•The Defendant; Winter 2016
•The Defendant; Spring 2016
•The Defendant; Winter 2015
•The Defendant; Spring 2015 Med Mal
•The Defendant; Winter 2014
•The Defendant; Summer 2013
•The Defendant; Spring 2011
•The Defendant; Fall 2010
•The Defendant; Fall 2009
•The Defendant; Fall 2004
•The Defendant; Fall 2003
•The Defendant; Fall 2002
•The Defendant; Fall 1998
•The Defendant; Spring 1998
•The Defendant; February 1998
News & Insights
September 20, 2024
JOHN MCDONOUGH GETS DEFENSE VERDICT IN $9 MILLION DEMAND CASE TRIED TO CONCLUSION IN WESTCHESTER COUNTY, NEW YORK
September 19, 2023
London Fischer Launches National Strategic Risk & Complex Litigation Practice
Spring 2018
The Defendant
Spring 2017
The Defendant
Winter 2016/2017
The Defendant
Winter 2016
The Defendant
Spring 2016
The Defendant
Winter 2015
The Defendant
Spring 2015 Med Mal
The Defendant
Winter 2014
The Defendant
Summer 2013
The Defendant
Spring 2011
The Defendant
Fall 2010
The Defendant
Fall 2009
The Defendant
Fall 2004
The Defendant
Fall 2003
The Defendant
Fall 2002
The Defendant
Fall 1998
The Defendant
Spring 1998
The Defendant
February 1998
The Defendant
December 1997
The Defendant
Fall/Winter 2006
The Defendant
September 1994
The Defendant
September 1993
The Defendant
April 1993
The Defendant
July 1990
The Defendant
January 1990
The Defendant
Winter 1990
The Defendant
Distinguished: An excellent rating for a lawyer with some experience. This rating indicates the attorney is widely
respected by their peers for high professional achievement and ethical standards.
Notable: This rating indicates that the lawyer has been recognized by a large number of their peers for strong ethical standards.
