John B. McDonald

Counsel

John is an experienced litigator, representing clients in complex insurance matters in a variety of forums from inception of a case through arbitration and trial. John is responsive and attentive to his clients’ litigation and business needs and takes pride in providing an effective and individualized approach to each case.

Prior to joining the firm, John was an attorney with a boutique international firm based in Seattle. There, he advised on all coverage issues presented by the firm’s international and cannabis clients. Before that, John spent two years in Seattle with the Office of Chief Counsel, U.S. Customs and Border Protection. After law school, he spent five years as an associate with an AmLaw 100 and Global 100 firm in New York, where he counseled primary and excess insurers in coverage actions.

John earned his J.D. from the University of Miami School of Law, where he was an editorial member of the University of Miami Law Review. He also served as a research assistant for Professor Charlton Copeland on civil procedure and constitutional issues. He earned his B.A., magna cum laude, from Vanderbilt University.

Outside the office, John enjoys sports (especially basketball) and is an avid fan of the NBA. He also enjoys reading, he endeavors never to miss an episode of Jeopardy, and he enjoys exploring the Pacific Northwest with his family.

Experience

Publications

Forum Selection Pause: Washington’s Prohibition on Forum Selection Clauses in Insurance Contracts [Casualty Coverage Chronicle Blog]

August 31, 2022

Since Carnival Cruise Lines, Inc. v. Shute, 499 U.S. 585 (1991), forum selection clauses typically enjoy robust enforcement at both the state and federal levels. For that reason, in many (if not most) jurisdictions, contracting parties have the right and ability to structure their contracts how...

Education

  • University of Miami School of Law, J.D., 2010
  • Vanderbilt University, B.A., magna cum laude, 2007
  • Washington
  • New York