John McDonough is vice chair of the firm's Commercial Litigation Department. He focuses his practice, both nationally and internationally, on general litigation and complex insurance defense matters including directors' and officers' liability, errors and omissions litigation, complex product liability matters, and mass tort litigation. He focuses his practice on catastrophic injury cases arising from toxic exposures including asbestos, benzene and lead, construction accidents, medical malpractice, professional liability, food liability including labeling liability and integrity of contents, multidistrict litigation and class action litigation, and food borne biohazards such as bovine spongiform encephalopathy (Mad Cow Disease), mercury and diacetyl. John’s practice includes advice on complex insurance and reinsurance matters, including London LMX business, for major foreign reinsurers and involvement in complex insurance and reinsurance disputes. He was appellate counsel in the landmark antisubrogation case in New York, North Star v. Continental Insurance Co.
John is a frequent author and lecturer for many organizations, including the Defense Research Institute (DRI), the Torts and Insurance Practice Section of the New York State Bar Association, the Defense Association of New York (DANY), and the American Conference Institute. John is a former member of the board of directors of DRI (1997-2001; 2009-2012), and has served as the former president of DANY (1997-1998); chairman of the board of directors of DANY (1998-1999) and editor-in-chief of The Defendant, the quarterly journal of DANY (1989-present). John is vice chairman of the board of directors of St. Vincent Services; a member of the Federation of Defense & Corporate Counsel (FDCC); was elected to the Product Liability Advisory Council (PLAC) in 2011; and is a member of the Legal Task Force for the Sporting Goods Manufacturers Association (SGMA). John is also frequently asked to provide quotes for publications including Business Week and the New York Law Journal. In 2012, John was listed as an ALM New York Top Rated Lawyer. In 2013, John received DANY's James S. Conway Award for outstanding service to the Defense Profession.
John earned his bachelor's degree at Boston College in 1976 and his law degree at the New England School of Law in 1979.