John Lloyd Watkins

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My practice concentrates in three areas: (1) insurance coverage, (2) handling general legal issues such as contracts and and non-disclosure agreements, generally for small and medium-sized companies (particularly international companies), and (3) complex commercial litigation for large and medium-sized businesses and municipalities.

Insurance Coverage

I represent business policyholders in reviewing and evaluating insurance coverage. I also assist businesses in claims with insurance carriers. Although a cooperative approach is preferred if possible, I handle coverage and bad faith litigation when necessary. I have handled insurance issues involving professional liability, construction defect, D&O, environmental, catastrophic personal injury, and sexual misconduct claims. I have also written articles on insuance coverage for cyber liabilities and risks, a growing concern for most businesses.

I also sometimes represent a company's interests in connection with claims that are being handled by the carrier. For example, an insurer may be defending a claim against the insured with appointed counsel and a client may ask me to provide independent oversight and guidance regarding the claim.

I co-lead the insurance practice in Thompson Hine's Atlanta office. I also teach the Insurance Law course at the University of Georgia School of Law as an Adjunct Professor.

General Business and Legal Issues

I represent a number of companies in connection with their general legal matters. This can include setting up the business, establishing procedures for protecting confidential information and intellectual property, negotiating and drafting contracts, such as equipment supply contracts and non-disclosure agreements, and handling other legal matters. For example, companies may request the firm to review or prepare employment agreements, which I will do in conjunction with one of our employment lawyers.

Many of my general business clients are German, Swiss, other European, or Canadian companies or their U.S. subsidiaries. I have given seminars on U.S. legal issues for international audiences in Germany and the U.S. I understand many of the cultural issues that often need to be addressed when international companies begin doing business in the U.S.

One of the biggest mistakes an international company can make is to assume that business is done -- particularly the legal aspects of business -- the same way in the U.S. as in its home country. Check out my legal guide on AVVO about these issues.

Complex Commercial Litigation

Over the years, commercial litigation has been a primary practice area, and I have litigated, arbitrated, or mediated just about every type of civil claim, representing large companies, municipalities, small and medium-sized companies, and sometimes indviduals. I have litigated many different contract issues, trade secret and non-disclosure issues, construction claims, real estate disputes, and intellectual property claims. Of course, I also litigate insurance coverage and bad faith claims.

I am a registered mediator and am available to mediate business and insurance disputes.

Industry Experience
 

Having practiced for many years, there are not many industries with which I do not have at least some experience. That said, particular industry experience includes insurance, manufacturing and distribution, machinery and equipment (for engineered wood products, pulp and paper, metal forming, auto parts and other applications), professional services, technology and software, industrial construction, mining, and natural gas distribution.

Professsional Associations

I am on the Board of the Atlanta International Arbitration Society, an organization that promotes international arbitration generally and metropolitan Atlanta as a venue for international arbitrations. I am the firm's representative for the German American Chamber of Commerce and the Gwinnett County Chamber of Commerce.

 My Firm

Thompson Hine LLP is an Am Law 200 firm with about 400 professionals. It is headquartered in Cleveland, with offices in Atlanta, New York, Washington D.C., Cincinnati, Dayton and Columbus, OH.

The Atlanta office has about 30 lawyers, all with excellent credentials and experience. 

We are located in Buckhead, which is the financial district of Atlanta, and are easy to reach from the airport, downtown or midtown.