John J. Kavanagh is of counsel in Steptoe's Washington office. He focuses on complex litigation including antitrust and securities matters as well as on insurance coverage and reinsurance disputes. He also has experience in government investigations and criminal defense matters.
Complex Litigation
Mr. Kavanagh has litigated numerous cases involving contract disputes, fraud, unfair trade practices, RICO, antitrust, and trade secret matters pending in courts and arbitral panels around the country. He also has experience litigating class actions involving antitrust, securities, and toxic tort matters. Mr. Kavanagh has been active in representing individuals in SEC investigations and white-collar criminal defense matters involving securities fraud and antitrust conspiracies.
Insurance Coverage and Reinsurance Disputes
Mr. Kavanagh has extensive experience litigating insurance coverage disputes involving property and liability policies as well as fidelity bonds. He has litigated matters on behalf of insurers in the United States and overseas arising from defective products, property damage, environmental damage, and business interruption claims.
Mr. Kavanagh has represented clients in large reinsurance disputes before international arbitral panels regarding a variety of issues including automatic and facultative placements, the follow the fortunes doctrine, the duty of utmost good faith, alternative risk transfer and rescission. He has substantial experience working with expert witnesses regarding damages, due diligence and treaty issues.
Prior to joining the firm, Mr. Kavanagh served for three years as an attorney with the US Navy Judge Advocate General's Corps. In this position, he defended claims against the US government under the Federal Tort Claims Act. As a criminal defense attorney, he represented naval personnel before courts-martial in the Norfolk, Virginia, area.
Mr. Kavanagh previously worked as a Secretary of Defense Honors Legal Intern in the Department of Defense Office of General Counsel—International Affairs and Intelligence. He has also worked as a special assistant to the Assistant US Trade Representative for Japan and China, and as a Honors Intern with the Federal Bureau of Investigation—National Security Division.
