Manage the legal and risk profile of a general contractor with revenues in excess of $1B. Responsible for all contract negotiations, litigation, insurance placement, and compliance issues. Advise executive members on strategy to strengthen and support firms controlled profitable growth.

Provides hands on counsel to all levels of executive staff, identifies and analyzes legal issues, manages outside counsel on litigated matters, drafts key documents and assures legal compliance.

Manage a national team of adjusters who handle a broad range of claims arising out of numerous lines of coverage including general liability, worker’s compensation, pollution, professional liability, builders risk, auto, subcontracter default insurance and various wrap-up insurance programs.Handle litigated and non-litigated insurance related disputes.Develop, revise, and implement enterprise claim handling policies and guidelines.Responsible for overall litigation cost and quality.

Handled construction defect claims of high exposure and complexity.Lead resolution efforts of multi-million dollar OCIP and CCIP claims. This includes directing litigation for large multi-party suits, resolving coverage issues and negotiating settlement.Reported to senior and executive management on litigation and coverage claims and trends.Developed overall claim resolution strategy.

Handled construction defect claims of moderate to high exposure and complexity.Directed the handling of complex coverage litigation in state and federal courts.Coordinated and performed investigations and evaluates claims and suits through timely and ongoing contact with attorneys, insureds, agents, claimants, co-carriers, witnesses, and experts.Utilized negotiation skills to develop complex settlement packages.Traveled as needed to attend pre-trial conferences, mediations, arbitrations, and settlement conferences.Analyzed claims activities and reports to senior management.

Founded by veteran trial lawyers Thomas G. Young, III and Thomas C. Valkenet, the firm serves persons and companies that have been sued, or who need to file suit to protect their business interests. The firm accepts engagements in the areas of commercial, construction, real estate and transportation litigation. By way of example, these categories include construction contract disputes, title claims and title insurance coverage disputes, surety bond claims, corporate dissolutions, admiralty and maritime claims for collision, salvage, cargo damage, maritime liens, injuries to seaman and claims for railroad or longshore related personal injuries. John supported the managing attorney with legal research, pleadings and motions drafting, deed drafting, title searches, and discovery.

Researched and drafted appellate brief and mediation memorandum for client regarding his breach of a real estate contract. The mediation memorandum led to the case being settled for less then 1/3 of the amount the plaintiff originally sought. Assisted in the review of employment agreements for executives at a nationally known insurance company. Assisted in numerous real estate transactions including short sales, foreclosures, and forbearance agreements.

Assisted tax counsel with various policy implementation projects. Performed research and compliance reviews involving community health care. The research and compliance reviews led to the development of various handbooks and guidelines for use by the Executive Directors of various Erickson communities throughout the country. Performed research on specific issues as requested by the tax director, tax counsel, and health counsel. Briefed tax department weekly on any impending legislative or regulatory events to ensure compliance with federal, state, and local law. Prepared monthly and quarterly financial statements and investment portfolio reconciliations.